Iroquois County Democrat, April 1932, Illinois

Mrs Gilchrist Dies at Crescent City - Last of Iroquois County Pioneer Family Answers Call of Grim Reaper.

Jeanette Victoria, daughter of Aquilla and Isabelle Jane [Robinson] Cast, was born at the Cast homestead on April 07, 1861. She grew to womanhood in this community, and after completing her education, she taught school for five years.

November 22, 1882, she became the bride of Theodore Gilchrist, who preceded her in death nine years ago. After their marriage, Mr and Mrs Gilchrist resided on their farm one and one-half miles south of Crescent City until 1901, when they removed to the present home.

Mrs Gilchrist is survived by three children, Mrs Grace Nightingale, Mrs Bernice Albright, both of Crescent City, and Theodore Gilchrist of Peoria; also six grandchildren, five great-granddaughters, Mary Nightingale, Ruth Elizabeth Albright, and Angela Julia, and her namesake, Jeanette Gilchrist, and one grandson, Wendell Nightingale.

She was the last of the Cast family, the father, mother, two brothers, William [d. 1866] and Elmer [d 1924] and five sisters, Amy Ruth [d 1860], Ida Gertrude [d. 1871] Mrs Alma Grace Budd [d. 1902], Mrs Rachel Carrie Parkman [d. 1921] and Miss Alta Eufranta Cast [d. 1927] having preceded her.

She was a faithful member of the Methodist Church, serving for years as superintendent of the Sunday school, as a Sunday school teacher, as a member of the church board; when a young women as church organist, and at the time of her departure of the Ladies Aid and a trustee of the church.

All that loving hands and medical skill could do was done, but to no avail, and she passed to the Great Beyond, Thursday, March 31, 1932. Has she lived until April 7th, she would have celebrated her 71st birthday.

Her death closes the chapter of a long and useful life, a woman devoted to her home, her church, and her friends. The funeral services, conducted from the Methodist Episcopal Church, Saturday, April 2, at 2:30 P.M. were very impressive. The sermon, by the Rev. Oscar Stewart, was a fine tribute to the memory of the deceased.