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Thomas Claggett 1901 Obituary
Of Lexington, Illinois
The funeral of Mr. Thomas Johnson Claggett (1841-1901) (brother of Ann Ann Claggett Beasley) was held at his late residence at 2. p. m. on Wednesday of last week. The attendance was very large, demonstrating the esteem in which he was held a by his neighbors and acquaintances. As was said in the paper, last week, Mr. Claggett had been in rather poor health for the past seven years, but this winter he had been about as usual, was able to be out of doors and, even went to town a few times.
About a week before his death he was taken with the grippe [influenza], but there was no apprehension of danger, and his death came as a great surprise to his family.
Mrs. [Columbia] Claggett was in Chicago visiting her daughter, Mrs. [Anne] Nannie Roy, but was herself taken quite seriously sick and was confined to the bed when word came of her husband's illness. To her very great sorrow she was not able to be with and minister to his comfort during the closing days of his life. But however every thing was done for him which medical skill and the loving bands of faithful children could devise.
The Rev. J. E. Connor officiated and preached a very comforting and helpful sermon. Misses Maggie Shade and Laura Rent and Dr. Covey and A. H. Scrogin sang, Miss Alta Williams was organist. The bearers were Messrs E. H. Hyneman, John Langstaff, J. E. Covey, Harmon Hefner, James Woodard all of Lexington, and Wm. Hursey of Normal. The body was laid to rest in the Lexington cemetery.
Thomas J. Claggett was born in Fauquier County, Va., June 1, 1841. Died at his home near Lexington Ill., Monday morning Feb. 4, 1901, aged fifty-nine years, eight months and three days. He married Miss Columbia Claggett, Aug. 5, 1861. To them nine children were born, two sons and seven daughters. Of these four only survive, viz: Mrs. [Emily] Emma C. Hefner of Lexington, Ill., Mrs. [Anne] Nannie Roy, of Chicago; Miss Minnie Claggett and Mr. S[amuel] C. Claggett, of Lexington. These with their widowed mother mourn the departure of their loved one to the other worId. Mr. Claggett leaves also a brother Mr. F. [Benjamin Franklin "Frank"] Claggett, and two sisters, Mrs. [Frances "Fannie" Caroline] Wm. Francis, of Belton, Va., and Mrs. Julia [Catherine Claggett Beasley] Kirby, of Aon, Va., Mrs. S[anford]. R. [Nancy Terry] Claggett, a sister-in-law, and other more remote relatives.
Mr. Claggett and family moved to Illinois in [February] 1879. For the last nineteen years he has resided in this community. He was known to all as an industrious man, a good neighbor, a loving husband and a kind father. For the last seven years his health has been poor. Last spring he gave evidence of being near the end of his earthly career. Again in the fall be was taken worse but recovered sufficiently to get up and go around. One week ago Monday he was again attacked and it soon became apparent that his end was near. He departed-this life Monday morning, a few minutes before eleven.
I have known the departed for over a year and during that time have been in the home repeatedly. While be was sick last spring and again this fall I Visited him, and both times he himself requested that I should lead in prayer.
On Monday morning I talked to him in regard to his prospect and he declared that he wan resigned and ready to go, that he expected soon to be in that home where there is no sickness or pain or death. He said moreover, that he had made his peace with God some three years ago. He had also made such arrangements as he wished in regard to his funeral services, and even selected the text used this afternoon. It is our prayer that God may comfort the widow and fatherless, the brother and other friends as he only can.
Rev. J. E. Conner
-- McPherson, p. 56