Cecelia Sol, was born in Hardin precinct, Calhoun County, Illinois in August 1838, and died in Hardin, April 15, 1908, about five o’clock p.m. having attained the ripe old age of 64 years and eight months. Her parents were among Calhoun’s earliest pioneers and the deceased well remembered when much of the county was forest. She was married to William Smith in 1855 and together, for thirty-five years they journeyed through life. Probably the first obstacle in their seemingly happy married life was the enlistment of the husband in the service of Uncle Sam in putting down the rebellion during the dark days from 1861 to 1865. When the husband bade his family good-bye and shouldered his musket, the way, seemed indeed dark for the young wife and mother who had to battle bravely – in the daily struggle for enough to keep the wolf from the door. “Every cloud has a silver lining” and so it was with this little family at home. The husband returned and again the journey through life was taken up together. To them were given thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters. One son died in infancy and one just after having reach manhood. Two daughters also preceded the mother in death after reaching womanhood and being married. The husband died July 12, 1890. The last twelve years of the deceased’s life were spent in Hardin where she made many friends by her kind Christian manner. Everybody who knew “Aunt Cecelia” as she was affectionally called, loved her and it may be said that her entire acquaintances were the friends from church. She was a driving Catholic and was just returning from the church when stricken.
Source: Unknown, possibly April 1908 newspaper
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