Chester Herald-Tribune
Chester, Illinois
20 Nov 1919, Thu
Page 1

MRS. CATHERINE GANT

Mention was made last week of the death of Mrs. Catherine Gant, widow of the late Robert Gant, one of the county's most prominent farmers and citizens. The funeral services were conducted on Wednesday afternoon of last week from the Gant country home. Rev. Harmon conducted the splendid funeral services both at the home and at the grave, the burial having been in Evergreem cemetery. The M. E. church choir contributed to the impressiveness of the service with its hymsn.

Catherine Gant, wife of the last Robert Gant, died at the family home, Sunday evening at 8:15 o'clock, November 9, 1919, at the age of 82 years, 6 months and 23 days. Mrs. Gant was the daughter of Abraham and Anne Harmon and was born at the old Harmon home at New Palestine. She united with the M. E. church in her girlhood and has been a faithful member for more than sixty years and at her death was the oldest member of the congregation.

On June 10, 1858, she was married to Robert Gant, and for almost 54 years was his devoted help-mate and companion. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary June 10, 1908.

To this union ten children were born, four of whom have preceded the mother to the Great Beyond; Roy Holt, Dr. S. E., Katie Alice and Robert L. The remaining children are Florence Allison, and Ella Allison of East St. Louis, Emma Pinkerton of Chicago, Thomas A. of Chester, Annie Strickland of Roswell, N. Mex., and May Stewart of Leadore, Idaho, all of whom were present at the funeral except May.

All these children grew to manhood and womanhood, except little Toy. Into this houseful of children, through the bigness of her heart, was taken her motherless nephew, William Harmon, when he was only three months old. He, too, grew to manhood and died several years ago.

Mrs. Gant was sick for about two months with an affection of the heart and for several weeks it was known that her condition was hopeless. The daughters came home when she was first stricken and remained with her to the end and everything that human hands could do in the way of tenderness and devotion was given to her by the members of her family. She was patient and considerate of the comfort of every one and only a few minutes before her death requested that a good, warm bed be ready for Dr. MacKenzie who was to remain during the night.

She was loved by all and the night was never too dark or too cold for her to venture forth on an errand of mercy. Many in the community, where she had lived for the past forth-five years, will mourn her almost as a mother.

She was charitable almost to a fault and took great pleasure in fulfilling the words of the Bible. "Let not your right hand know what your left hand doeth,"

Hers was a long, useful and well spent life, and when she heard the voice of her Master say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, Come Home." surrounded by her children she passed to be with the devoted husband and father and the children gone before.

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Chester Herald-Tribune
Chester, Illinois
23 Apr 1903, Thu
Page 1

Mrs. Robert Gant Celebrates Anniversary

Upon the occasion of the sixty-seventh anniversary of her birth Mrs. Robert Gant was royally surprised at her home last Thursday by about forty relatives and friends, who swooped down upon the Gant residence with the best intentions of making the occasion one to be ever remembered by Mrs. Gant. The guests carried with them baskets of eatables of every description, the brownest of roast and fried fowl, the sweetest of ham and the choicest of pastry. The larger portion of the guests arrived about ten o'clock, and at noon the sumptuous dinner was spread. It was two o'clock before all had partaken to their satisfaction of the bounteous store of edibles, and then the party congregated in the spacious parlors where Reverends Ayers and Davis delivered brief addresses of congratulations to Mrs. Gant. Robert Gant responded feelingly in behalf of Mrs. Gant and the family. The remainder of the afternoon and evening was pleasantly spent in a social way. Mrs. Gant is a member of the old and large Harmon family which has done more than any other family toward placing this portion of the county in a state of cultivation, and awakening the spirit of civilization and enterprise. Mrs. Gant is well known throughout the county, and her legion of friends extend congratulations to her upon this occasion.

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llinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947
Name: Catherine Gant
[Catherine Harmon]
Birth Date: 16 Apr 1837
Birth Place: New Palestine
Death Date: 9 Nov 1919
Death Place: Chester, Randolph, Ill
Burial Date: 12 Nov 1919
Death Age: 82
Occupation: Housewife
Race: White
Marital status: W
Gender: Female
Father Name: Abraham Harmon
Father Birth Place: South Carolina
Mother Name: Ann Pillars
Mother Birth Place: Illinois
FHL Film Number: 1562395