Submitted by: John and Cindy McCachern
Obituary of Allen H. Michael (7 September 1904, Clark County (IL) Herald)
Allen H. Michael was born in Rush county, Indiana, October 11, 1828, and departed this life Aug. 28, 1904, at his home in Marshall, aged 75 years, 10 months and 17 days. He came to Clark county with his parents when 12 years old and resided here until his death. He was married on the 27th day of March 1853, to Francis J. Hurst. To this union eight children were born, four boys and four girls--Charles H. of Casey, James A. of Terre Haute, Ind., Elisha of Flat Rock, Mrs. Fred Taylor of West Union, Mrs. Joseph James of Martinsville, Mrs. John Brosman, Mrs. P. E. Read and John R. of Marshall. Besides his aged companion and eight children, he leaves one brother, Barnabas, living near Marshall, two sisters, Margaret Pinnell of Newman and Mary Crofoot of McPherson, Kansas, and twenty five grandchildren, to mourn his death.
In early life he gave his heart to God and accepted Christ as his Savior, and for fifty-one years he lived a faithful follower of the Master, which afforded him great comfort and consolation in his long suffering which preceded his death. To those who were near him in his last days, no better example of the beauty of God and his power to console and comfort in affliction, could have been given. His suffering would have been unbearable had it not bee for the assurance of the peaceful rest that was sure to follow. He was greatly attached to his family and for many years it had been his desire that he should be the first one to die, so great was his love for them that he preferred eath to seeing one of them die.
He was a faithul and honored member of the Marshall Lodge No. 133 A. F. & A. M. for over forty years, seldom missing a meeting until his recent sickness and death. He was a veteran of the Civil WAr, being a member of Co. H. 48th Illinois regiment, and was with Sherman in his march to the sea, thus another name has been transferred from the Grand Army of the Republic to the mighty hosts of King Emanuel.
He was for many years a Justice of the Peace, holding that office at the time of his death, his decisions always being fair and impartial and as a result, very few appeals were ever taken, and in nearly all cases he was sustained by the higher courts. Thus ends the long and useful life of an honest, upright Christian man.
The funeral services were conducted at the Congregational church on Tuesday afternoon, Rev. J. L. Ryan of Greenup officiating, assisted by Rev. J. F. Flearwaters of this city. The funeral and burial were conducted under the auspices of the local Masonic lodge. A large number of relatives and friends attended to pay a last tribute of respect to one who had been a friend to all mankind..