Another of the good old mothers has been called to a home where there are no sorrows. Ripe in years, rich in good deeds, and loved by all who knew her, she fell asleep on the day of the month she was born.

Amanda A. Smallwood was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 17, 1818, and died August 17, 1906, at the home of her son-in-law, James R. Heskett, near Lane, Illinois died aged 88 years and six months. When she was seven years old her parents came to Illinois, settling on the land that is now covered by the city of Decatur. They then moved to this county and located in Creek township, near the site of the old Coulter mill, and later on the farm where sixty-five years of her life was passed and where she died.

In 1843 she was married to W. J. Bennett, who died many years ago. A few years ago she went to Kansas to live with Mr. Heskett, but she longed for the old homestead, and at her request he moved back to DeWitt county, his former home, having bought the old home that was so dear to her. She desired to pass her last days there and Mr. Heskett made it possible for her to do so. He has been all that her own son could have been to her, doing all in his power to make pleasant her closing years.

She was a schoolmate of Gov. Oglesby and knew Lincoln well, as he often stayed at her father's home. She was a faithful Christian, always doing all she could for His cause. Her life was filled with noble purposes and good deeds, and Heaven is made richer by her death.

She was the last of her father's family to pass away, her brothers and sisters having been Asberry, Gideon, Samuel and Joseph Smallwood, Mrs. Susan Davis and Mrs. Walter Roben. She is survived by the following children: Geo. S. Bennett, of Oklahoma; Mrs. Ida Gardner, Wichita, Kansas; W. L. Bennett, Bell Plaine, Kansas; Mrs. Clara Redman, Decatur; P. A. Bennett and Mrs. Mary Heskett, Lane. Mrs. Jane Twist died at Mead, Kansas, in 1890, and two died in infancy. Funeral services were held Sunday at 10 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Patterson, of Danville. Burial was in the Lisenby cemetery.

August 24, 1906
Clinton Register