Whiteside Sentinel, Thrusday December 1895, Volume XXXVI Obituary of Margaret Stuart Ritch MacKenzie McKENZIE--At the home of her son, John McKenzie, in Madrid, Neb., on Thrursday, November 28, 1895, Mrs. Margaret McKENZIE, aged 84 years, 10 months and 13 days. Margaret Stuart Ritchie was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, Jan. 15, 1811, and was married to John McKENZIE in 1833. She was the mother of twelve children--six sons and six daughters, of whom two sons and five daughters survive her. She came with her family to America in 1838, and located in Virginia, where they remained for a short time and then came to Ustick Township, Whiteside county, Ill., and lived on a farm for forty years. Her husband died firty-one years ago. In 1886 Mrs. McKENZIE moved to Nebraska and made her home with her son John. She united with the Presbyterian church in Aberdeen, Scotland, under the ministry of Dr. Kidd. At the time of her death she held membership in the Spring Valley Presbyterian church, Ustick township, this county. Of her children, Mrs. W.J. SAVAGE, Mrs. W.J. TRYE and Mrs. Thoas. J. JANVRIN, are residence of this city. The character and force of will power of mother McKENZIE can be sbe shown by her patriotic devotion to her country during the war of the rebellion. She entered most heartily into the union cause. She watched and read everything from the first and seemed to understand the crises was at hand. In September, 1861, her son George enlisted with her approval and went to the front and in the first part of August 1862 when the second call was made by Lincoln for 300,000 more, she asked her next oldest son, Alexander, what he thought of it. He replied that he would like to enlist but thought she could not get along without him. She told him, if he would send her his money, she could get along. He enlisted at once and went to the front. In November 1862, George returned home, a paroled prisoner. On the same day she received a letter announcing the serious illness of Alexander and in the hospital. The next morning Mrs. McKENZIE started for Louisville, KY., to care for son. She nursed him through the winter of 1862-63 until the latter part of February, when he did not need her personal care, but his conditon was such that he was no longer able to do service. She came to Springfield, Ill., to see Gov. Yates for the purpose of securing her son’s discharge. After some delay she had an interview with Dr. Leander Smith and through his influence she succeeded in having an interview with the governor, which resulted in her securing a discharge for her son from the service. She returned home fully persuaded she had done all that was in her power. He body was brought to this city, arriving here on Sunday; funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church on Monday forenoon, conducted by Rev. J. W. SKINNER. Interment took place in the Hollinshead cemetery in Ustick township, where her husband was buried. Mr Alex. McKENZIE of Lenox, Iowa, arrived Saturday morning to attend the funeral of his mother which occurred Monday. ------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Virginia Lyons-Ratterree