Well Known Resident of French's Chapel Vicinity died Sat. morning. Caroline Alexander was born in Cleveland, Ohio on Oct. 25, 1841. When a child of about 4 yr. of age, (1845) she came with her parents and family to Logan Co. IL. to what is now (1908) known as the Wilmert farm. She was left an orphan with her brothers and sisters when not more than twelve years old; the family was divided and Caroline became a 'little slave girl' to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shoup. She was not allowed to go to school. When only a girl she united with the Christian Church and remained a member of that church until about 1863 when in a meeting conducted by Rev. John Everly, she was wonderfully converted and united with the Methodist Church. This meeting was held in Hannah French's house seven miles northwest of Mt. Pulaski, where Caroline lived for 44 years after she married Hannah's youngest son Ezekiel on 24 Jan. 1864 in Chester Twp., Logan Co. IL when she was 22 yr. and he was 21. The ceremony was performed by Dr. John Clark of Mt. Pulaski, IL. Ezekiel intended to teach her but they began a family, she had the work of a farm of over 500 acres and raising 6 children. Ezekiel survives with the children who are well known in this community, namely, Mrs. David C. Humphreys, Mrs. Thomas Edds, Mrs. George Downey, Henry, Asa, and Charles French, all of whom were at the bedside of their mother when she passed away. She leaves one brother, John Alexander, living in Paonia, CO. and one sister, Mrs. George Lakin, living in Chestnut, IL. Some 19 or 20 years ago, when she was 47 or 48 years of age, Mrs. French was stricken with blindness, and during these years has groped her way in darkness, but she bore her affliction with Christian fortitude. The children and all but 4 of the grandchildren celebrated her last birthday at the old homestead. She had not been well for several weeks, but was not taken down until one week ago last Sat. Everything that kind and loving husband and children could do was done, but to no avail, and amid great suffering but triumph she passed away at 7:15 A. M. last Sat. Nov. 7, 1908, singing, praying, and beckoning her loved ones to follow. She was aged 67 yr. and 12 da.The 23rd Psalm was one of her favorite Psalm. She often quoted it, and just as she was passing into the other world, she waved her hands and her last words were, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.", and her soul went out. The funeral took place Tues. morning, Nov 10th at French's Chapel Church conducted by Rev. H.B. Montgomery, and was one of the largest ever held in the neighborhood. The interment was made in Downing cemetery.
Lincoln Courier November 1908