Marshall Herald (Clark Co, IL) - 13 April 1910
AUNT JUDA COONS who it will be remembered fell in February, breaking her hip, died April 8. The shock from the wound affected her heart and afterward she was partially paralyzed and gradually grew worse until death relieved her suffering. She was 90 years and 7 months old and was one of the pioneers, having come here from Clark County, Indiana, with her husband, Jacob Coons, in 1846 and settled on the farm where she died, having lived there continuously for 64 years. She was married to Jacob Coons in 1838 who died in 1881. Four children are living, John M. of Yale, George H. of Washington County, Indiana, Mrs. Catherine Duzan of Marshall and Mrs. Eliza Nicholson, who has lived on the old homestead with her mother for some years, 27 grandchildren, 81 great grandchildren and 10 great, great grandchildren. She also leaves three brothers and one sister, John and William of Cumberland County, Solomon and Emanuel Miller and Mrs. Sallie Hurst who resides here and a very wide circle of relatives and friends. She was one of seven charter members of the Methodist Society at Dolson Chapel, then known as Green Moss when it was organized in 1848 and still remains a devout and faithful member until called to her reward. The funeral services were conducted Sunday at Dolson Chapel by her pastor, Rev. J.B. Munson, assisted by her grandson, Rev. William Coons of Mountaintown, Indiana, and the body was laid to rest beside that of her husband in the cemetery nearby. The other charter members of the Society, the Sister Coons assisted to organize were Emanuel Miller and wife, John B. Beadle and wife and William Towns and wife, all of whom are now dead but Emanuel Miller who is in his 93rd year.
The Marshall Republican (Clark Co, IL) - 15 April 1910
Juda Miller was born in Pennsylvania, Aug 27, 1819, and died at her home in Dolson Township, April 8, 1910, at the advanced age of 90 years, 7 months and 12 days.
Early in life she removed with her parents to Clark County, Indiana, where she grew to womanhood and where she was united in marriage to Jacob Coons, Oct 11, 1838. In 1846 this family came to Illinois and settled on the farm where she died, having resided in the same door yard continuously for 64 years. They erected at first a frontier log cabin which was displaced three years later by the substantial frame residence which she occupied at the time of her death. To them were born seven children, three of whom preceeded her to the spirit world. Mr. Coons died Oct 7, 1881. The four children living are John M. Coons, of Yale, Illinois, George H. Coons, of Washington, Indiana, Mrs. Mary C. Duzan, of Marshall and Mrs. Eliza A. Nicholson, who had resided with her mother on the old homestead for several years. The other direct descendants are 27 grandchildren, 81 great grandchildren, and 10 great, great grandchildren. She also leaves four brothers and one sister, Emanuel and Solomon Miller and Mrs. Sallie Hurst, of Dolson Twp and John and William Miller of Cumberland County and a multitude of other relatives and friends. She was one of those hardy pioneers and during her life was rarely sick; has always kept her own house and done her own work, the immediate cause of her death being a fracture of the hip caused by a fall received about six weeks ago.
Aunt Juda, as she was familiarly known, consecrated herself to the service of Christ at an early age, and has been one of his devoted followers all of these years.
She was one of the seven charter members of the Dolson Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church which was then known as Green Moss, and was organized about 1848 at the home of her brother, Emanuel Miller, there being at the time no church building in the neighborhood. The names of the other original members of this organization were Emanuel Miller and Nancy, his wife, John B. and Barbara Beadle and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Townsend, all of whom have now departed with a ripe Christian experience "to be with Christ which is far better" except Emanuel Miller, who is now in his 93rd year.
She was the last of the original organization, Mr. Miller having some years ago transferred his membership to the Clarksville M.E. Church where he now resides.
It can be said of Juda as was once said of another, "She will be missed for her seat is empty." The funeral which was very largely attended, was conducted at the old church where she was such a familiar figure and such a faithful attendant. The sermon was delivered by her pastor, Rev. J. B. Munson from the appropriate text, Matt. 25:21--"Well done, thou good and faithful servant." It was a glowing tribute to her character and worth as a mother, as a Christian, as a neighbor, as a friend. Six of her grandsons, viz., Hurley and Joseph Duzan, George and Pearl Nicholson, Frank and Charles Coons, acting as pall bearers, and another grandson, who is a minister, Rev. W. S. Coons, had charge of the last sad rites at the grave, which was a peculiarly fitting tribute to her life and memory. Her earthy career is ended but the sweet influences of her life will never cease nor will she be soon forgotten.
We wish to extend our sincere thanks to our kind neighbors and friends for their loving service during the sickness and death of our beloved mother.
Mrs. Catherine Duzan,
Mrs. Eliza Nicholson,
George H. Coons,
John M. Coons