Birth: May 7, 1842
Washington County
Ohio, USA
Death: Jan. 27, 1905
Clark County
Illinois, USA

Obituary of Thompson Rector Cornwell

1 February 1905, Clark Co (IL) Democrat

Thompson Rector Cornwell was born in Licking County, Ohio, May 7,1842, and departed this life at his home near Melrose, on Jan.27,1905, aged 63 years, 8 months and 20 days. He moved with his parents to Illinois in 1849 when only seven years old, settling in Crawford County and in a few years removing to Clark County.

Here he grew to manhood, and when the Civil War opened, he offered his services to his country, continuing thru to the end, and was honorably discharged at the close in 1865, spending fourteen months
amid the horrors of Libby Prison. During the hardships he endured in military duty, he contracted diseases which impaired his health
through life.

He was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens having held many responsible positions in the gift of the people, serving one term as treasurer of this county, refusing reelection, he preferring the quiet of home and family to public life.

Jan. 18, 1871, he united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Reed. To this union came seven children, Mrs. Otto Stanfield, Otto, Mrs.
Zachariah Medsker, Esra, Charles, Raymond and Roscoe, all of whom survive him and will be a comfort to their mother.

Comrade Cornwell's health began to fail about two years ago when he retired from active life to enjoy a well earned rest. His health
continued to decline until his death which occurred last Friday at 2:00 o'clock p.m.

In 1866 he was converted and united with the Church of God,
continuing a faithful and exemplary member through life. He proclaimed his faith in jesus Christ, and said a short time before his death that he had no fears for the future. Among his dying words were "Jesus, blessed Jesus."

He was upright and honest in all his dealings with his fellowman and was beloved and respected by all his neighbors.

Besides his wife and children, he leaves two brothers and one sister to mourn his death.

The funeral services were conducted Sunday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. in the Melrose church by Rev. J. A. Beliz in the presence of a large congregation of his old neighbors and friends. A select choir furnished appropriate music. The remains were laid to rest in the Melrose cemetery to await the resurrection morn.
A Friend.

NOTE: Thompson Rector Cornwell was not in Libby Prison as the obituary says but was in Camp Ford civil war prison in Tyler, Texas. He was mustered in Company K, 130th Regiment, Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Oct 15, 1862, at Camp Butler, Springfield, Illinois. T.R. Cornwell's regiment participated in the seige of Vicksburg (name engraved on wall in Illinois monument located on the Vicksburg battlefield) and in the Red River Expedition. He was captured in the Battle of Sabine Crossroads outside Shreveport, Louisiana. He spent the rest of the war in the civil war prison camp, Camp Ford at Tyler Texas.

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