Funeral services for Mrs. R. F. Herndon sr., Springfield's oldest resident, who died yesterday at her residence, will be held Saturday at the residence. Burial will be in Oak Ridge cemetery.
Mrs. Herndon, widow of the founder of the R. F. Herndon & Co. store, was 102 years old last Jan. 9 and was the last person in Springfield who saw Abraham Lincoln alive.
She was born Jan. 9, 1855, in Springfield, the daughter of Obed and Cordelia Iles Lewis. Her great-uncle, Elijah Iles, was one of the founders of the city, started the first general store here in 1835, and was the city's first postmaster.
Mrs. Herndon's father operated a carriage and wagon shop, across from the postoffice. He was one of the city's early mayors and served for many years as the city water commissioner.
Mrs. Herndon attended the city's public schools and was graduated from the old Bettie Stuart school for girls here. She later attended art schools in Chicago and Philadelphia and painted pictures and chinaware until shortly before her death.
In 1888 she married R. F. Herndon sr. who came to Springfield from Kentucky. He worked for the John Bressmer Co. for many years and opened the R. F. Herndon & Co. store 91 years ago. Mr. Herndon died in 1910 and since that time the business has been conducted by two sons.
Mrs. Herndon, a member of the First Presbyterian church, lived in a home that was almost 100 years old. In former years it was a scene of lively parties held for members of the legislature.
Surviving are two sons, O. L. and John W. Herndon; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and a niece residing in England. She was preceded in death by two children, Cordelia, and R. F. Herndon jr.
Illinois State Journal, Springfield, IL, 3-22-1957
Mrs. Herndon, widow of the founder of the R. F. Herndon & Co. store, was 102 years old last Jan. 9 and was the last person in Springfield who saw Abraham Lincoln alive.
She was born Jan. 9, 1855, in Springfield, the daughter of Obed and Cordelia Iles Lewis. Her great-uncle, Elijah Iles, was one of the founders of the city, started the first general store here in 1835, and was the city's first postmaster.
Mrs. Herndon's father operated a carriage and wagon shop, across from the postoffice. He was one of the city's early mayors and served for many years as the city water commissioner.
Mrs. Herndon attended the city's public schools and was graduated from the old Bettie Stuart school for girls here. She later attended art schools in Chicago and Philadelphia and painted pictures and chinaware until shortly before her death.
In 1888 she married R. F. Herndon sr. who came to Springfield from Kentucky. He worked for the John Bressmer Co. for many years and opened the R. F. Herndon & Co. store 91 years ago. Mr. Herndon died in 1910 and since that time the business has been conducted by two sons.
Mrs. Herndon, a member of the First Presbyterian church, lived in a home that was almost 100 years old. In former years it was a scene of lively parties held for members of the legislature.
Surviving are two sons, O. L. and John W. Herndon; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and a niece residing in England. She was preceded in death by two children, Cordelia, and R. F. Herndon jr.
Illinois State Journal, Springfield, IL, 3-22-1957
Funeral services for Mrs. R. F. Herndon sr., Springfield's oldest resident, who died yesterday at her residence, will be held Saturday at the residence. Burial will be in Oak Ridge cemetery.
Mrs. Herndon, widow of the founder of the R. F. Herndon & Co. store, was 102 years old last Jan. 9 and was the last person in Springfield who saw Abraham Lincoln alive.
She was born Jan. 9, 1855, in Springfield, the daughter of Obed and Cordelia Iles Lewis. Her great-uncle, Elijah Iles, was one of the founders of the city, started the first general store here in 1835, and was the city's first postmaster.
Mrs. Herndon's father operated a carriage and wagon shop, across from the postoffice. He was one of the city's early mayors and served for many years as the city water commissioner.
Mrs. Herndon attended the city's public schools and was graduated from the old Bettie Stuart school for girls here. She later attended art schools in Chicago and Philadelphia and painted pictures and chinaware until shortly before her death.
In 1888 she married R. F. Herndon sr. who came to Springfield from Kentucky. He worked for the John Bressmer Co. for many years and opened the R. F. Herndon & Co. store 91 years ago. Mr. Herndon died in 1910 and since that time the business has been conducted by two sons.
Mrs. Herndon, a member of the First Presbyterian church, lived in a home that was almost 100 years old. In former years it was a scene of lively parties held for members of the legislature.
Surviving are two sons, O. L. and John W. Herndon; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and a niece residing in England. She was preceded in death by two children, Cordelia, and R. F. Herndon jr.
Illinois State Journal, Springfield, IL, 3-22-1957
Mrs. Herndon, widow of the founder of the R. F. Herndon & Co. store, was 102 years old last Jan. 9 and was the last person in Springfield who saw Abraham Lincoln alive.
She was born Jan. 9, 1855, in Springfield, the daughter of Obed and Cordelia Iles Lewis. Her great-uncle, Elijah Iles, was one of the founders of the city, started the first general store here in 1835, and was the city's first postmaster.
Mrs. Herndon's father operated a carriage and wagon shop, across from the postoffice. He was one of the city's early mayors and served for many years as the city water commissioner.
Mrs. Herndon attended the city's public schools and was graduated from the old Bettie Stuart school for girls here. She later attended art schools in Chicago and Philadelphia and painted pictures and chinaware until shortly before her death.
In 1888 she married R. F. Herndon sr. who came to Springfield from Kentucky. He worked for the John Bressmer Co. for many years and opened the R. F. Herndon & Co. store 91 years ago. Mr. Herndon died in 1910 and since that time the business has been conducted by two sons.
Mrs. Herndon, a member of the First Presbyterian church, lived in a home that was almost 100 years old. In former years it was a scene of lively parties held for members of the legislature.
Surviving are two sons, O. L. and John W. Herndon; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and a niece residing in England. She was preceded in death by two children, Cordelia, and R. F. Herndon jr.
Illinois State Journal, Springfield, IL, 3-22-1957
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