THE TIMES OLDEST SUBSCRIBER DEAD

        Uncle Berry Mitchell, pioneer and lifelong resident of Hamilton county, passed away at the home of his son, N. A. Mitchell, in Dahlgren township on May 3.  He would have been 85 on May 3 on his next birthday.

        Uncle Berry was beyond a doubt the oldest subscriber to The McLeansboro Times, having been a consistent reader of that publication since about 1860, when it was known as the Hamilton Sucker.  He was also a lifelong Democrat, and for fifty-six years had been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

        On November 9, 1928, Uncle Berry and his good wife, Aunt Jane, who is 87 years of age, celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.  The reared a family of eight children, three of whom survive him, N. A. Mitchell, Chas. Mitchell and Mrs. W. J. McKleroy.

Berry William Mitchell, son of Ichabod and Mary Lane Mitchell, was born near McLeansboro, Ill., July 16, 1844.  He departed this life May 3, 1929, at 10:25 p.m. Age 84 years, 9 months and 17 days.  He was the youngest of twelve children, and the last surviving member of this family.

         He was married to Mary Jane Mayberry on November 9, 1865.  To this union ten children were born, three of whom with his aged companion, survive him.

         Uncle Berry and Aunt Jane, as they were affectionately known by their many friends and neighbors, observed their 63rd wedding anniversary last November 9th.

         The following children preceded him in death: Mary and Julia, who died in childhood, Lemuel I., William L., Sarah E. Hale, Margaret E. Snape, and Katherine Seabright.

         The surviving are Mrs. Nettie McKleroy of Mattoon, Ill., Charles J. Mitchell of Herrin, Ill., and N. A. Mitchell of Dahlgren, Ill, with whom he made his home at the time of his death.  Twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren survive, besides a host of other relatives and friends.

         He professed faith in Christ at an early age, and united with Hopewell Baptist church, where he remained a faithful member until death.  Uncle Berry lived his religion in his every day life and was a friend to everyone, and his friends were numbered by his acquaintances.  He was a member of I. O. O. F. Lodge for about fifty six years, at the time of his death being a member of Dahlgren Lodge No. 486.

        Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Joseph Allen of Dahlgren Richardson Hill church on Sunday, May 5th.  Interment took place in the cemetery nearby.