Obituaries of Catherine Evaline (RUSMISEL) STAUBUS

Two Obituaries taken from unknown [Illinois] newspapers, unknown dates, concerning the fatal accidental buggy death of Catherine (Catharine) Evaline (RUSMISEL) STAUBUS 0n 29 June 1900 near Danvers, McLean County, Illinois.

A Fatal Runaway--

Last Friday morning about eleven o'clock a runaway accident occured at the home of Mr. Samuel Elkins, three miles southeast of Danvers, which a few hours later resulted in the death of Mrs. Solomon Staubus. The deceased in company with her husband were about to pay a visit to the home of their son-in-law, Mr. Samuel Elkins, and upon arriving at the gate of the latters farm, Mr. Staubus opened the gate. While Mrs. Staubus was driving through the gate, her umbrella dropped. The horse became frightened and started to run at full speed. After running for some distance, Mrs. Staubus was thrown against a fence with terrific force, so much so that one side of her face was torn off, one arm dislocated besides being injured internally. Dr. F. J. Parkhurst was hailed and did everything possible for her relief. She regained consciousness for a time, but shortly after six o'clock the same afternoon she passed away. The deceased was born in Virginia June 23, 1837. She was married to Mr. Solomon Staubus, who survives her. The children still living are Mr. Newton D. Staubus, of LeRoy; Mrs. S. A. Munsell and Mrs. Emory Perry, of Twin Grove; Mrs. Fanny Kent, of Bloomington; Mr. Samuel Staubus, Mrs. J. H. Stephenson, and Mrs. Samuel Elkins of Danvers. the funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon at the Presbyterian church of which she was an honored member. The services were in charge of the pastor, Rev. C. E. Hayes. The music for the sad occasion was rendered by Mrs. W. H. Ayers, Mrs. C. E. Hayes, Mr. Chas. Buhlm and Mr. C. R. Stuckey. The floral offerings from friends were both beautiful and profuse. The church was crowded and many were unable to find seats. It was the largest funeral that has occured in Danvers for many years. The remains were laid away to rest at the Park Lawn Cemetery.

6/29/1900 hand written at top of second

A Fatal Accident

There was a fatal accident last Friday afternoon at Danvers which resulted in the death of  Mrs. Solomon Staubus, wife of a well known farmer living 3 1/2 [miles] southeast of that place. She was accompanying her husband on a visit to her son-in-law, Mr. Samuel Elkins. When they arrived at the gate of the latter's farm, Mr. Staubus alighted from the buggy and Mrs. Staubus drove through. While she was doing this, her umbrella dropped, frightening the horses. They ran into a fence and Mrs. Staubus was thrown to the ground with great force. She was badly injured about the head and it was known that she could not survive. The fall rendered her unconscious and that evening, after great suffering, she passed away. The community was greatly shocked by the news of her tragic death.
The funeral services were held Sunday at 2:30 p.m., at the C.P. church at Danvers, and the sad and tragic circumstances of her death tended to mjake it deeply impressive, tender and solemn. The church was filled to its utmost capacity and many could not even get standing room. The floral tributes were numerous and covered the casket and the adjacent stands. The services were conduced by the pastor, Rev. C. E. Hayes, who read the funeral lessons.
Mrs. Catherine E Staubus was born in Augusta county, Virginia, June 28, 1837. She was married to Solomon Staubus in the city of Baltimore, December 26, 1854, and came to Illinois in 1856, settling in Dry Grove township, where they lived all these years. To them nine children were born, seven of whom survive. They are: N. D. Staubus, of LeRoy, Mrs. E. A. Kent and Mrs. Maggie Perry, of Bloomington, Mrs. Gussie Munsell, Mrs. Anna Stephenson, Mrs. Lookie Elkins and Samuel C. Staubus of Danvers. The two that preceded the mother into the better world were Mrs. Mattie Stephenson and Minnie S., who died in infancy. Mrs. Staubus professed religion in 1861, when she and her husband united with the C. P. church, in which communion she lived a consistent member until her death. 

Taken from 2 newspaper clippings on "Sheridan Family Tree (documentation in progress)", an Ancestry.com public tree owned by "yangti," from unknown newspapers, no dates [probably 6 Jul 1900]. Transcribed by Teresa McVeigh 15 Oct 2011
All rights Reserved
Teresa McVeigh

Lawsuits concerning Christian RUSMISEL's Will

Christian RUSMISEL (son of Adam) died 7 Sep 1860 near Mt. Solon in Augusta County, VA. His will was proved 22 Oct 1860. Settlement of his estate did not take place until after the Civil War, so the estate suffered. His son, George, and son-in-law, Asher ARGENBRIGHT, were executors. The lawsuit was abstracted by Richard ARMSTRONG.

1864, Oct.: After the War Between The States, a suit was filed by Rachel M. Rusmisel Powers, alleging that she was compelled to accept Confederate notes for her portion of Christian's estate. This money, she said, was worth four cents on the dollar. The complaint by Rachel, states that in October 1864, as well as she can remember, Asher Argenbright came to the home of David Propst, her brother-in-law, where she was then staying. He brought to her a sum of money, in Confederate notes, which was her inheritance. She stated she refused to accept the money, and that Argenbright said he would compell her to accept the money, that she was legally bound to accept it. The complaint reads: "Deceived by these statements, she, being an uneducated female & ignorant of law & of all kinds of business, was finally persuaded, in the absence of her friend, to sign a paper acknowledging the receipt of the so called money.

A complaint [against George Rusmisel and Asher Argenbright as executors of Christain Rusmisel's will] , brought by John I. Rusmisel, and his sisters, Martha M., Marian E., Mary Cupp, Catharine Staubus, Rachel Powers, Rebecca Propst, and Pricilla Staubus, state: At the time of Christian Rusmisel's death, he owned a tract of land containing 170 3/4 acres, valued at at minimum of $35 per acre (worth $5,976.25). His personal property was offered for sale on February 7, 1861, and due to the uncertain times, the land was not sold. The land was held by the executors until February 1863, when it was sold to Jonas Lowman in aprivate sale. This was a violation of the will of Christian Rusmisel, who asked that it be sold at public auction. At the time of the sale, the executors received $3,000.00 in Confederate notes, with the balance to be paid in two installments; one on March 15, 1864 ($1,915.00) and the final one on March 15, 1865 ($1,915.00). At the time of the sale (February 1863), the Confederate notes were worth 20 to 25 cents on the dollar ($600 - $750). At the time the second payment was made, the notes were worth only about 4 cents on the dollar ($76.60). The third and final payment was never made. It was further stated: "That at the date of this sale your orator John I. Rusmisel was a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware, your orators Solomon Staubus and wife were living in the State of Indiana and your oratorex Martha M. Rusmisel was an infant, none of whom knew of the sale of the land, or have very received one cent of the purchase money from the

Executors. The rest of your orators, trusting the matter to the Exs. receipted to them for small sums of Confederate money as it was offered to them, not knowing or examining into their rights..." John and his siblings asked that the sale be set aside and the land be sold at public auction.

1871: Rebecca V. Propes, wife of David Propes, made a deposition, in which she states she has read the deposition of Rachel M. Powers regarding the $500 paid to her by Asher Argenbright..."I was present at the time of that transaction, which occurred at my own house -Rachael was then staying with me, and her memory is wholy at fault as to what really occurred - the true facts are these - Mr. Argenbright brought her five hundred dollars in confederate money. She made no objection whatever to receiving it - she receipted to him for the above amount, taking one Hundred thereof for her present individual use and advised with him as to what she ought to do with the remaining four hundred." Mr. Argenbright was going to Harrisonburg to invest some money in a Confederate bond. "She then requested him to take her four hundred & do likewise with hers. Mr. Argenbright on that occasion so far from using any threats to compel Rachael to receive the Five Hundred dollars, did not even try to pursuade her in fact there was no occasion for him to do so, because Rachael expressed no hesitation in giving him the receipt for the five hundred dollars, directing him to invest the four hundred above stated in a Confederate bond for her use in her own name. She said nothing whatever at the time about Confederate money not being good, and the whole transaction between both parties at the time was fair honest and voluntary. My husband and myself took our portion also in Confederate money, receipting just the same as Rachael did..."

1871: George Rusmisel, in a deposition, stated that Rachael asked them (the executors) to sell the cow she was bequeathed, and that she did not express any desire to retain any of the items bequeathed her, but would rather have the money for them. They were therefore sold, and the money given her.

Lawsuit of Miriam PROPS

This is a lawsuit abstracted by Mrs. William Bushman, a long-time genealogist in Augusta County, Virginia, who said "This was apparently a friendly suit brought to insure that Miriam Props would receive the estate of her mother since she had taken complete care of her mother for the five years she had been ill."

1888, November--Augusta Co, VA, N.S. 474, chancery suit, Props vs Taylor, Report November, 1888

Deposition of Mrs. P. A. Staubus, 21 August 1888, age 56, sister to Mrs. Props, lives neat Mt. Solon:

"Martha A. Rusmisel died 29 June 1887, cared for by Mrs. Props; Mrs. Rusmisel sick for 5 years; she left a house and lot 1/2 mile north of Mt. Solon"

Deposition of Nebraska McLaughlin, a niece of Mrs. Rusmisel and Mrs. Props, of Pocahontas County, West Virginia

Depositon of W. L. Staubus regarding his grandmother, Mrs. Rusmisel

Heirs mentioned in bill of complaint by Mrs. Miriam Props (nee Rusmisel), wife of David Props.
Miriam Props, daughter
Priscilla A Straubus, daughter
John J. (or I.) Rusmisel and wife Elizabeth E.
Catherine E. Staubus (nee Rusmisel), wife of Solomon Staubus
Children of Martha Rusmisel McLaughlin (deceased): Bessie E., Mariam M., William C., Martha A., Mary C., Bertha F., Robert L., George C., Bersa
(These were the 5 children of the second marriage of Christain Rusmisel and Martha McMullin Taylor)

1889, Dec. 12--Augusta Co., VA, Deed Book 108, p 508

Charles Curry, Commissioner, sold the land of Martha A. Rusmisel, 2 1/2 acres, in North River District, adjoining the land of George F. Baker, to Miriam Props