Last Friday evening at about five o’clock death claimed one of Weldon’s oldest pioneers, when Mrs. Margaret Zorger passed to her reward, after a long illness. She had been ill at different times for years past, but her condition was more serious the past few months. Last week she became worse and it was soon seen she could not long survive, and the children were summoned home. All were at her bedside at the final hour, except her son, Stephen, of Thayer, Kansas, who is afflicted with paralysis.

The funeral services were held at the family residence Sunday morning at 11:00 o’clock, conducted by Rev. O. W. LOUGH, assisted by Rev. A. D. MOON. Appropriate music was furnished by selected choirs. Many of the selections were old-time songs, which were her favorites. Interment was in the Weldon cemetery. As she was widely known, the attendance was quite large, many coming from a distance.

Margaret Miller was born August 27, 1834, in DeWitt County. On June 1, 1854, she was united in marriage with Jacob Zorger at Decatur, Ill. For a number of years they resided at Monticello, where he conducted the big mill, and then moved to the Weldon Springs farm, near Clinton. After a number of years residence there they moved to Weldon. Mr. Zorger died about twenty years ago. The home is situated on 68 acres in the north part of town.

Nine children were born as a result of this union, four of them dying. The five surviving children are: Stephen, of Thayers, Kansas; Dr. W. H. of Champaign, Il.; Mrs. Cicero Lane, of Danville, Ill.; Mrs. William L. Miller, of Decatur, Ill., and Mrs. May Gale, of Weldon, Ill.

She early joined the M. P. church of Weldon and she and her husband were earnest workers in that church for many years. It was her regret that infirmities would not permit her to attend church the past few years. Besides the children, John Miller and sister, Mrs. Maggie Roberts, were raised by Mr. and Mrs. Zorger, they being their nephew and niece.

Weldon Record
Weldon, IL
July 18, 1918