OBITUARY OF ONE OF THE PIONEER MOTHERS
Mrs. Charity Clark Charles was a daughter of Professor Clark of Kentucky....She was born in Kentucky in 1825, and about
1839 removed with her parents to Hamilton County, Illinios, and settled near McLeansboro, the present county seat. Here, in 1843, at the age of 18, she was united in marriage to William Charles and installed in the old Charles home, four miles south of McLeansboro, where she resided continually until the time of her death. To this union was born ten children- five sons and five daughters-all of whom grew up...and are living except Phoeba, who (died) shortly after her father.... Surviving the mother are Rev Willis W. Charles of Terre Haute, Riley, John L., George and Chester Charles, of Illinois; also Mrs Maud Mitchell of Missouri, and Mrs Sarah Raynes, Mrs Hattie Porter and Mrs. Belle Henderson, of Illinois. There are also seventeen grand children and five great-grand-children. She was converted to the Christian religion at the age of 20 and was an active Christian worker until her warfare ended, March 7, 1904, in her 79th year. Her church membership was with the United Baptists until the organization of Mt. Olivet chruch of General Baptists, which took place in her home about 38 years ago....(here, the obit goes into extensive flattery)...large gathering of people came through storm and rain to be at the funeral.... buried at Mt Olivet church cemetary. (end of obit)
Note: Her husband, William Charles, had died May 16, 1877, and is buried in same cemetary, according to a newer tombstone my father photographed in 1995.