George & Harlan Kingsbury

George Kingsbury
(Taken from the 1895 Washington News)

Mr. George Kingsbury died at his home in Washington, Ill., Dec. 13, 1895, at the age of 68 years and 6 months.  His fatal illness was heart disease of which he had had several previous alarming attacks.  His end came suddenly and without apparent struggle he fell into the sleep of death.

He was born in Danville, N.Y.,  at the age of about thirteen came to the west with his parents and family, settling in Deer Creek township, this county.  The journey from their native state was the long, tedious route down the Ohio and up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, landing in Peoria in 1840 when there was but a trading post or small settlement.  The life on the prairie involved the toil of subduing the virgin soil to cultivation, isolation from civilized communities, long distances to markets and sources of supplies and all the other hardships of pioneer days.

In a neighboring family Mr. Kingsbury found the companion of his life, Miss Caroline Ross Harlan, one who had no common graces of mind and heart and who, after a long life of noble womanhood, tender and loving ministry to others and a blameless Christian life was, in 1891, called to her reward.  Into this family were born six children, three of whom died in infancy.  The three surviving are Mr H.A. Kingsbury and Mrs. A.H. Heiple, of this city, and Mrs L.J. Danforth, of Deer Creek , Ill.

Mr. Kingsbury came to Washington in 1857 and was engaged in the grocery business for about twenty-five years.  His long residence and his prominence in business have made will well known throughout this and adjoining counties.  His sterling character, his upright Christian behavior and his congenial disposition have made him universally respected and beloved.  He has always been regarded as a man of strict integrity in his business dealings, never swerving from the line of honesty.  He was not given to many words but his word was his good as his bond.  He was public spirited and took an active part in all good public enterprises.  He served one or two terms as a member of the city council of Washington.  He hd positive opinions and had the courage of his convictions.  As an alderman, during his term of office, his was the solitary vote cast against the licensure of the drink traffic, which he believed iniquitous.  In his judgment of others' conduct he was chritable, and had a kind heart for the poor and suffering.

His love for his kindred was a striking characteristic.  Strong and beautiful was the attachment between him and his children.  Many journeys he made in unfavorable weather that he might enjoy the company and learn of the welfare of his children and grandchildren.

Above all, Mr Kingsbury was an earnest Christian, a devoted member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, for many years an officer and one of the chief pillars of the church.  His religious nature was not demonstrative but partook largely of his quiet, retiring temperament.

There was in him an entire absence of vain glory or a self-righteous spirit, but in a quiet, unassuming manner he went about his Christian duties with a punctuality and faithfulness seldom surpassed.  Een in the last year of his life when his infirmities were creeping upon him and when it would seem unwise to venture out in inclement weather, there was no more regular attendant at the house of God, both at the Sunday and mid-week services.  In his death the community loses another pioneer and an honorable citizen.  The church loses a prominent and consistent member, the neighborhood a kind and sympathetic friend, the family a beloved parent.

George Kingsbury
(Taken from the 1936 Tazewell County Reporter)

Harlan Amherst Kingsbury, lifelong resident of Washington, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. L. J. Danforth, about midnight Tuesday night, where Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury have been living for the past few years.  Mr. Kingsbury had been in poor health for several years.

He was born in Washington May 20, 1862, a son of George and Caroline Harlan Kingsbury, pioneer residents of this community.  He received his education in our public schools and later attended Eureka college.

In 1898 he accepted a position as traveling salesman with a Chicago wholesale house, which he filled most successfully until 1896 when he bought a half interest in the Chapman grocery store, under the firm name of Chapman and Kingsbury.

Mr. Kingsbury entered the real estate business with F. S. Heiple, in 1899, and as Heiple and Kingsbury here and Heiple, Kingsbury and Carr in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, enjoyed a decidedly successful business.

In 1903 Heiple and Kingsbury added the Metamora bank to their interests.  Later Mr. Kingsbury purchased an interest in the Denhart Bank and acted as cashier of that institution until it closed its doors in April of 1930.  After the closing of the bank Mr. Kingsbury’s health gradually failed until his death Tuesday night.

He would have been 74 years of age had he lived until next May.

Mr. Kingsbury has long been identified with St. Mark’s Lutheran church and was active in the work of the church.

Mr. Kingsbury was a member of the board of directors and treasurer of the Nachusa orphanage from 1927 to 1934.  He was a director of the Lutheran Seminary for three years and treasurer of the Illinois Synod from 1922 to 1930.  He held membership consecutively from 1923 to 1930 on the committee of Stewardship of the Illinois Synod.  He was a member of the Home Mission Board from 1918 to 1920.  For 33 years, from 1897 to 1930, Mr. Kingsbury served on the Lutheran church council.

At one time he served as treasurer of Carthage College.

He was a member of all Masonic lodges belonging to Taylor Lodge of Masons, Consistory, Knights Templar and Shrine.

On October 29, 1885 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Kern, a daughter of Charles and Lucy Curtis Kern, also a pioneer family of Washington.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Clara Kingsbury, one sister, Mrs. L. J. Danforth, two cousins, Charles Harlan of Kentland, Ind., and Mrs. Hiram Pruitt of Hoopeston, three nephews and four nieces.

The body was removed to the Habecker Funeral Home and will later be taken to the Danforth home where the funeral services will be held at 3 o’clock Friday afternoon in charge of Dr. L. J. Powell.  Interment will be in Glen Dale cemetery.