The Macomb Journal, page 1
Thursday, January 24, 1907
GEORGE W. EYRE,
Born Sept. 20, 1811--Died Jan. 22, 1907.
The above-named well-known citizen of McDonough county died at his home, 629 North McArthur street, Tuesday night at 11:10 o'clock, after an illness of three months, in which he was confined to his bed. He was 95 years, 4 months and 2 days old. Funeral services were held at the eMthodist [sic] church today, at 2:30 o'clock.
George Washington Eyre was born in Chester, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 20, 1811. His parents were Preston and Arabella (Ashmeade) Eyre, sturdy Pennsylvania stock and direct descendants of those who came over to America with William Penn. Deceased was scarce 13 years old when he shipped as a cabin boy out of the port of Philadelphia on a sailing vessel; made a six-weeks' voyage to Marseilles, France, and a return one of the same length. The trip gave him a taste for a sailor's life and for nearly fourteen continuous years he followed the sea in all stations from that of a common sailor to that of captain of a vessel. In those fourteen years he sailed all the seas of the earth; circumnavigated the globe a half-dozen times; entered all the marts of trade in this country, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Africa, South America, Australia, China, and even touched at Japan before that nation by treaty opened its ports to the world. He has "doubled" Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope a half-dozen times each.
In 1836 or 1837 he took a furlough from sea life for the purpose of visiting his parents who had moved west and were living in what is now Emmet township this county. He got to this locality by steamboat up the Mississippi river there being no railroads from the coast to the west in those days. After visiting for awhile he decided to remain; went into the sawmill business which, with farming, he pursued for a number of years. When the gold discovery was made in California deceased was among the first to brave the then untrodden miles of plain, of desert and mountain fastness to seek the deposits of precious metal. He left this locality in the spring of that year with his brother Edward, Elijah Stapp and Frank Pierson, consuming six months in making the trip with an ox team. About a year and a half later he returned coming by vessel and crossing the isthmus of Panama. He went back to farming, pursuing same until 1866 in the spring of which year he moved to Macomb, occupying the property in which he died. He conducted a grocery store for some years, then engaged in grain-buying which he followed for several years. The last ten years or more he has lived retired; but until within a year he has been a man of remarkable activity.
In politics Captain Eyre was a Whig as long as that party was in existence; was early in the formation of the Republican party and was always unflinching in his advocacy of that party's principles and candidates. He was prominent in religious affairs; was a member of the Methodist church for over half a century.
Mr. Eyre has been three times married. His first wife was Elizabeth Gillihan, a sister of William Gillihan, Esq., of Blandinsville, this county; they were married Mar. 6, 1838; she died in 1852. In 1853 he was married in Macomb to Clara Easton, who died in 1883. Two years later, Feb. 12, 1885, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Applegate, who survives him. His only children were by his first wife. Of these James of this city and Lewis P. of Warrensburg, Mo., are living. One son, Ashmeade, died in the army, serving at the time in the 84th Ill. His only other child, Edward, died some fifteen years ago. Besides these his survivors are his step children [sic], sons and daughters of his present wife.
He quietly rests at the end of a long, active and busy life. He was a good neighbor and friend; than which no higher compliment or eulogy can be paid to any man.
Thursday, January 24, 1907
GEORGE W. EYRE,
Born Sept. 20, 1811--Died Jan. 22, 1907.
The above-named well-known citizen of McDonough county died at his home, 629 North McArthur street, Tuesday night at 11:10 o'clock, after an illness of three months, in which he was confined to his bed. He was 95 years, 4 months and 2 days old. Funeral services were held at the eMthodist [sic] church today, at 2:30 o'clock.
George Washington Eyre was born in Chester, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 20, 1811. His parents were Preston and Arabella (Ashmeade) Eyre, sturdy Pennsylvania stock and direct descendants of those who came over to America with William Penn. Deceased was scarce 13 years old when he shipped as a cabin boy out of the port of Philadelphia on a sailing vessel; made a six-weeks' voyage to Marseilles, France, and a return one of the same length. The trip gave him a taste for a sailor's life and for nearly fourteen continuous years he followed the sea in all stations from that of a common sailor to that of captain of a vessel. In those fourteen years he sailed all the seas of the earth; circumnavigated the globe a half-dozen times; entered all the marts of trade in this country, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Africa, South America, Australia, China, and even touched at Japan before that nation by treaty opened its ports to the world. He has "doubled" Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope a half-dozen times each.
In 1836 or 1837 he took a furlough from sea life for the purpose of visiting his parents who had moved west and were living in what is now Emmet township this county. He got to this locality by steamboat up the Mississippi river there being no railroads from the coast to the west in those days. After visiting for awhile he decided to remain; went into the sawmill business which, with farming, he pursued for a number of years. When the gold discovery was made in California deceased was among the first to brave the then untrodden miles of plain, of desert and mountain fastness to seek the deposits of precious metal. He left this locality in the spring of that year with his brother Edward, Elijah Stapp and Frank Pierson, consuming six months in making the trip with an ox team. About a year and a half later he returned coming by vessel and crossing the isthmus of Panama. He went back to farming, pursuing same until 1866 in the spring of which year he moved to Macomb, occupying the property in which he died. He conducted a grocery store for some years, then engaged in grain-buying which he followed for several years. The last ten years or more he has lived retired; but until within a year he has been a man of remarkable activity.
In politics Captain Eyre was a Whig as long as that party was in existence; was early in the formation of the Republican party and was always unflinching in his advocacy of that party's principles and candidates. He was prominent in religious affairs; was a member of the Methodist church for over half a century.
Mr. Eyre has been three times married. His first wife was Elizabeth Gillihan, a sister of William Gillihan, Esq., of Blandinsville, this county; they were married Mar. 6, 1838; she died in 1852. In 1853 he was married in Macomb to Clara Easton, who died in 1883. Two years later, Feb. 12, 1885, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Applegate, who survives him. His only children were by his first wife. Of these James of this city and Lewis P. of Warrensburg, Mo., are living. One son, Ashmeade, died in the army, serving at the time in the 84th Ill. His only other child, Edward, died some fifteen years ago. Besides these his survivors are his step children [sic], sons and daughters of his present wife.
He quietly rests at the end of a long, active and busy life. He was a good neighbor and friend; than which no higher compliment or eulogy can be paid to any man.
The Macomb Journal, page 1
Thursday, January 24, 1907
GEORGE W. EYRE,
Born Sept. 20, 1811--Died Jan. 22, 1907.
The above-named well-known citizen of McDonough county died at his home, 629 North McArthur street, Tuesday night at 11:10 o'clock, after an illness of three months, in which he was confined to his bed. He was 95 years, 4 months and 2 days old. Funeral services were held at the eMthodist [sic] church today, at 2:30 o'clock.
George Washington Eyre was born in Chester, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 20, 1811. His parents were Preston and Arabella (Ashmeade) Eyre, sturdy Pennsylvania stock and direct descendants of those who came over to America with William Penn. Deceased was scarce 13 years old when he shipped as a cabin boy out of the port of Philadelphia on a sailing vessel; made a six-weeks' voyage to Marseilles, France, and a return one of the same length. The trip gave him a taste for a sailor's life and for nearly fourteen continuous years he followed the sea in all stations from that of a common sailor to that of captain of a vessel. In those fourteen years he sailed all the seas of the earth; circumnavigated the globe a half-dozen times; entered all the marts of trade in this country, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Africa, South America, Australia, China, and even touched at Japan before that nation by treaty opened its ports to the world. He has "doubled" Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope a half-dozen times each.
In 1836 or 1837 he took a furlough from sea life for the purpose of visiting his parents who had moved west and were living in what is now Emmet township this county. He got to this locality by steamboat up the Mississippi river there being no railroads from the coast to the west in those days. After visiting for awhile he decided to remain; went into the sawmill business which, with farming, he pursued for a number of years. When the gold discovery was made in California deceased was among the first to brave the then untrodden miles of plain, of desert and mountain fastness to seek the deposits of precious metal. He left this locality in the spring of that year with his brother Edward, Elijah Stapp and Frank Pierson, consuming six months in making the trip with an ox team. About a year and a half later he returned coming by vessel and crossing the isthmus of Panama. He went back to farming, pursuing same until 1866 in the spring of which year he moved to Macomb, occupying the property in which he died. He conducted a grocery store for some years, then engaged in grain-buying which he followed for several years. The last ten years or more he has lived retired; but until within a year he has been a man of remarkable activity.
In politics Captain Eyre was a Whig as long as that party was in existence; was early in the formation of the Republican party and was always unflinching in his advocacy of that party's principles and candidates. He was prominent in religious affairs; was a member of the Methodist church for over half a century.
Mr. Eyre has been three times married. His first wife was Elizabeth Gillihan, a sister of William Gillihan, Esq., of Blandinsville, this county; they were married Mar. 6, 1838; she died in 1852. In 1853 he was married in Macomb to Clara Easton, who died in 1883. Two years later, Feb. 12, 1885, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Applegate, who survives him. His only children were by his first wife. Of these James of this city and Lewis P. of Warrensburg, Mo., are living. One son, Ashmeade, died in the army, serving at the time in the 84th Ill. His only other child, Edward, died some fifteen years ago. Besides these his survivors are his step children [sic], sons and daughters of his present wife.
He quietly rests at the end of a long, active and busy life. He was a good neighbor and friend; than which no higher compliment or eulogy can be paid to any man.
Thursday, January 24, 1907
GEORGE W. EYRE,
Born Sept. 20, 1811--Died Jan. 22, 1907.
The above-named well-known citizen of McDonough county died at his home, 629 North McArthur street, Tuesday night at 11:10 o'clock, after an illness of three months, in which he was confined to his bed. He was 95 years, 4 months and 2 days old. Funeral services were held at the eMthodist [sic] church today, at 2:30 o'clock.
George Washington Eyre was born in Chester, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 20, 1811. His parents were Preston and Arabella (Ashmeade) Eyre, sturdy Pennsylvania stock and direct descendants of those who came over to America with William Penn. Deceased was scarce 13 years old when he shipped as a cabin boy out of the port of Philadelphia on a sailing vessel; made a six-weeks' voyage to Marseilles, France, and a return one of the same length. The trip gave him a taste for a sailor's life and for nearly fourteen continuous years he followed the sea in all stations from that of a common sailor to that of captain of a vessel. In those fourteen years he sailed all the seas of the earth; circumnavigated the globe a half-dozen times; entered all the marts of trade in this country, England, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Africa, South America, Australia, China, and even touched at Japan before that nation by treaty opened its ports to the world. He has "doubled" Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope a half-dozen times each.
In 1836 or 1837 he took a furlough from sea life for the purpose of visiting his parents who had moved west and were living in what is now Emmet township this county. He got to this locality by steamboat up the Mississippi river there being no railroads from the coast to the west in those days. After visiting for awhile he decided to remain; went into the sawmill business which, with farming, he pursued for a number of years. When the gold discovery was made in California deceased was among the first to brave the then untrodden miles of plain, of desert and mountain fastness to seek the deposits of precious metal. He left this locality in the spring of that year with his brother Edward, Elijah Stapp and Frank Pierson, consuming six months in making the trip with an ox team. About a year and a half later he returned coming by vessel and crossing the isthmus of Panama. He went back to farming, pursuing same until 1866 in the spring of which year he moved to Macomb, occupying the property in which he died. He conducted a grocery store for some years, then engaged in grain-buying which he followed for several years. The last ten years or more he has lived retired; but until within a year he has been a man of remarkable activity.
In politics Captain Eyre was a Whig as long as that party was in existence; was early in the formation of the Republican party and was always unflinching in his advocacy of that party's principles and candidates. He was prominent in religious affairs; was a member of the Methodist church for over half a century.
Mr. Eyre has been three times married. His first wife was Elizabeth Gillihan, a sister of William Gillihan, Esq., of Blandinsville, this county; they were married Mar. 6, 1838; she died in 1852. In 1853 he was married in Macomb to Clara Easton, who died in 1883. Two years later, Feb. 12, 1885, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Applegate, who survives him. His only children were by his first wife. Of these James of this city and Lewis P. of Warrensburg, Mo., are living. One son, Ashmeade, died in the army, serving at the time in the 84th Ill. His only other child, Edward, died some fifteen years ago. Besides these his survivors are his step children [sic], sons and daughters of his present wife.
He quietly rests at the end of a long, active and busy life. He was a good neighbor and friend; than which no higher compliment or eulogy can be paid to any man.
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