The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
June 19, 1901
Page 1
Column 3Mary Jane McConnell was born August 21, 1825, in Franklin county, Pa., and was the daughter of Francis and Hannah McConnell. In the early 40s her parents came to this county and located about three miles northwest of Fountain Green, where her parents remained during the remainder of their lives, and a number of the family died on the old homestead. After the marriage of her sister Martha to Jonathan L. Berry, who resided in McDonough county, she went to make her home with them, and remained with them until Mr. Berry's death. Mrs. Berry being in feeble health, the burden of the house and the care of the children, -- her nephews, O. F. and M. P. Berry largely devolved upon her. In 1859 she was married to Isaac Reed. Her sister, Mrs. Berry, being then a widow, Mrs. Reed remained on the farm of her sister, and they made their home with her until her death. The attachment formed between Mrs. Reed and her two nephews has always remained warm and close. They seemed to consider her as a mother, in a large degree, and the attachment seemed rather to grow stronger as the years rolled by. In 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Reed removed to Hancock county, and resided in the vicinity of Fountain Green and Webster from that time until the present. Shortly after Mr. Reed's death, Sept. 1, 1878, she, with her four small children, moved on to the farm where she so recently died. By her careful management and economy, she succeeded in keeping the family together and properly educating them. All her children survive her except Stephen, who died about a year ago. Mrs. Reed was of noble christian character, which she exemplified in her daily walk and conversation. Devoting her early life to her sister and family, she was no less devoted to her own home in later years. Her chief ambition was to make her home pleasant and happy for the family. Her whole life was given to them. She was not a society woman, but contented herself by performing faithfully her duties in the home, attending church services on the Sabbath as frequently as it was possible for her to do, and visiting with her intimate friends. She had a large circle of friends, but it can truthfully be said was intimate with only a small number. In later years she has been a great sufferer, but never complained. She was the fifth of a family of eleven children, and is survived only by her brother Robert. Her surviving children are Melvin and Maggie, who lived with their mother, and who cared for her with untiring devotion; also Mrs. A. L. Callihan, who lives next door to the old home, and who deprived herself of many pleasures to add comfort to her mother during her last few years on earth. Rev. Dr. Pugh, of Fountain Green, conducted the funeral services at the home, Monday, at 2:30 p. m., after which the remains were interred in the family burying ground by the side of her husband and eldest son, Stephen.
Hancock County Historical Society
Carthage, IllinoisSiegfried XIX
Page 290June 19, 1901
Chat, Webster: Mary Jane McConnell was born in Pennsylvania in 1825, her parents coming to this county in the early '40s, and locating northwest of Fountain Green. After the marriage of her sister, Martha, to Jonathan Berry, of McDonough county, she made her home with them until his death and Mrs. Berry, being in feeble health, the care of the household and the two children, O. F. and M. P. Berry, devolved upon her. In 1859 Miss McConnell was married to Isaac Reed and they made their home with Mrs. Berry until her death. In 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Reed moved to Hancock county to the Webster neighborhood. Mr. Reed died in 1878, leaving her with four small children. She moved then to the farm on which she died. Her son, Stephen, died a year ago, and she was survived by a the daughters, Maggie and Mrs. A. L. Callihan, and the son, Melvin. Mrs. Reed was one of eleven children, the only surviving member being her brother, Robert. Funeral services were held in the home by Rev. Dr. Pugh and burial was in the family cemetery.
Children:
Maggie J. Reed 23-Jun-1861 20-Aug-1923 Stephen Sylvester Reed 25-Sep-1862 12-Jul-1900 Ada H. Reed 26-Dec-1864 10-Mar-1921 Melvin Berry Reed about 1866 13-Mar-1942
