Isabella Elizabeth Valentine was born December 7, 1848, in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, the daughter of Levi B. Valentine and Lydia Smith, pioneers to Shelby County, Illinois, from Fairfield County, Ohio. She was likewise the granddaughter of George and Elizabeth Knouff Valentine, natives of Frederick County, Maryland, who settled in Fairfield County, Ohio in the early 1800's. She was married twice. The first time to Isaac Poteet on December 1, 1867, in Shelby County, Illinois. They were the parents of 4 children: Ida O., Edward, Robert Newton and Lydia Ella Poteet. Isaac passed away in 1878. Then, Isabella married 2nd to William Andrews on October 28, 1883, in Shelby County, Illinois. They were the parents of two daughters: Laura M. (died young) and Cora Bell Andrews. Isabella passed away February 4, 1945, in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Illinois, and was buried on the 6th in Robinson Creek Cemetery, Robinson Creek, Rose Township, Shelby County, Illinois.


Marriage License for Isaac Poteet and Isabella Elizabeth Valentine:

"MARRIAGE LICENSE. STATE OF ILLINOIS. You are hereby authoried to join in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony and to celebrate within this County the Rites and Ceremonies of Marriage between Mr. Isaac Poteet and Miss Isabel Valentine, of Shelby County, and this shall be your good and sufficient warrant: and you are required to return this License to me within thirty days from the celebration of such Marriage, with a certificate of the same appended thereto, and signed by you, under the penalty of one hundred dollars. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of said county, this 19th day of October, A.D. 1867. Burial Roberts, County Clerk......Shelby County, Illinois, December first, 1867. I. Claris Hornbeck, a Justice of the Peace, hereby certify that on this day I joined in Marriage, Mr. Isaac Poteet with Miss Isabel Valentine agreeable to the authority given in the above license. Claris Hornbeck, J. P."


Certificate of Marriage for Isabella Elizabeth Valentine Poteet and William Andrews:

"STATE OF ILLINOIS, Shelby County. Certificate of Record of Marriage. I, J. T. ZIMMER, Clerk of the County Court of said County, hereby certify that Mr. William Andrews was married to Isabel Poteet in said County on the 28th day of October A.D. 1883, by M. P. Lane, a Justice of the Peace....IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto subscribed my name and attached the seal of said County Court, at my office in Shelbyville, this 6th day of May, A.D. 1912. J. T. Zimmer (signed), County Clerk."


From the Illinois Death Certificate of Isabella Elizabeth Valentine Andrews:

County of Death:Shelby
City of Death: Shelbyville
Place of Residence:2015 South 2nd. Street, Shelbyville, Shelby County, Illinois (for 4 years)
Name:Isabell Andrews
Sex:Female
Color:White
Marital Status:Widowed
Spouse of:William Andrews, deceased
Date of Birth:December 7, 1847
Age:97 years, 1 month, 28 days
Place of Birth:Fairfield County, Ohio
Occupation:Housewife, own home
Name of Father:Levi Valentine
Birthplace:Ohio
Name of Mother:Lydia Smith
Birthplace:Ohio
Informant:Ida O. Kimmel, Shelbyville, Illinois
Place of Burial:Robinson Creek Cemetery, Rose Township, Shelby County, Illinois
Date of Burial:February 6, 1945
Funeral Director:Fred W. Brattels?
Date of Death:February 4, 1945
Cause of Death:Myocarditis
Contributory:Arterio-Sclerosis
Name of Physician:H. C. Turney


Obituary for Isabella Elizabeth Valentine Poteet Andrews of February 5, 1945:

"Mrs. Isabell Andrews Passes Away At Age of 97. Mrs. Isabell Andrews, one of Shelby County's oldest citizens passed away at her home in Shelbyville Sunday morning, at the age of 97 years, one month and 27 days. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Valentine. She was one of a family of eight children, seven daughters and one son. Two of these sisters still survive: Mrs. Lydia Walker of California and Mrs. Catherine Page of Moweaqua, Illinois. Eighty-seven years ago, the family came to Shelby County and settled on a farm south of Shelbyville. Mr. Valentine later deeding the land on which Rocky Branch school house is now located. It is interesting to note that the family turned the prairie soil for the first time on their farm. The family has remained in this county since that time. Mrs. Andrews was married twice. Her first husband was Isaac Poteet. To this union, four children were born, all of whom survive: Mrs. Ida Kimmel, Shelbyville, Illinois, Edward Poteet, Assumption, Illinois, Robert Poteet, Nokomis, Illinois, Mrs. Ella Sarver, Chenoa, Illinois. Mr. Poteet preceded her in death. Mrs. Andrews later married to William Andrews, who also is deceased. To this union, two children were born, one dying in infancy. Mrs. Cora Runkel of Onamia, Minnesota, survives. She was the oldest living member of the Robinson Creek Methodist Church at the time of her death. Two sisters, both past 90 years of age, survive: Mrs. Lydia Walker of California and Mrs. Catherine Page of Moweaqua, Illinois. Five generations were living in the county with Mrs. Andrews being survived by her five children, 28 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Lantz-Boettcher Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, with interment in the Robinson Creek Cemetery. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Howard R. Keley, great-grandson of the deceased. Pallbearers will be grandchildren: Roy Kimmel and Clarence Kimmel of Shelbyville, Hollis Poteet of Moweaqua and Herbert Poteet of Assumption and great-grandchildren Edwin Kimmel and Forrest Wilson of Shelbyville. Flower girls will be grandchildren and great-granchildren of the deceased. Music for the services will be furnished by Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Foor, Mrs. Andy Camic and Mrs. Elsie Getz. Friends may call at the Lantz-Boettcher Funeral Home at any time."