Paxton Record: Feb. 22, 1917

The funeral of William B. Flora was held on Friday afternoon at the family home on South Washington Street.

Services at the home were conducted by Rev. Presley P/ Carson, pastor of the M.E. Church. Services at the grave were conducted by Paxton Lodge A.F. & A.M. No 16. The pall bearers were nephews of the deceased namely, Ray E. Flora, Thomas Flora, Worth Flora, Fred Flora and Frank L. Hall of Paxton and Bert Newman of Chatsworth.

The floral offerings were in charge of the old comrades of the Paxton G.A.R. They were Messrs. Fred Johnson, T.M. King, Chris Smith, J.S. Bodwell, John M. Briney, W.W. Reser, John Starkweather, O.J. Talman, Ben Andrews, James Ringer and D.M. Newlin.

William B. Flora was born in Carthage, KY, Aug. 5, 1844, and died at his home in Paxton, IL, Feb 14, 1917, aged 72 years, 6 months and 9 days.

His early life was spent at his boyhood home, where at the age of 19 he enlisted as a soldier in the service of his country. He was a member of Co. H, 37th Kentucky Infantry, serving faithfully from July 1863 to Dec. 28, 1864, when he was honorably discharged.

In 1868 he settled in Buckley, IL, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick and later in carpentry. During the winter months he taught school in Charleston, IL. For several years he was in the mercantile business in Roberts, IL, and served as Supervisor. For several years he was a member of the business firm of Flora & Newman.

In 1890 Mr. Flora was elected County Clerk and came to Paxton with his family. Here he made a good record and a large place for himself in the esteem of a large circle of friends.

Mr. Flora was married to Miss Mary Jane Newman in Buckley, IL, Feb 2, 1873. Of their seven children, six survive to be a comfort to their mother. Vincent died when 22 years of age after serving in the Spanish-American war. The surviving sons and daughters are: Mrs. J.W. Lemley of Pellston, Michigan, Mrs Emil Bossart of Bloomington, IL, Harry, Claude and William Flora of Chicago and Grover Flora of Paxton.