Died, in the city of Wenona, Marshall County, Illinois, on Sunday, September, 28, 1890
Dr. Kendall E. Rich, in the 66th year of his age. Dr. Rich
was born in Franklin County, Massachusetts in 1824, where he
received a common school education. He afterwards entered upon
his academic course at Winchester, New Hampshire, where he
continued his studies, only interrupted by his financial
circumstances. requiring him to teach school for means to
continue his academic course; never daunted, always thorough in
all his undertakings, his success was doubly sure. At the age of
19 (1841) he was enabled to turn his face westward with a good
education, and grow up with the country.
On his way west, he stopped at Mt. Clemons, Michigan, about 18
months. He was engaged as a clerk in a store and teaching
school. Here he obtained money sufficient to go further west. In
1845 he started for Quincy, Illinois, by way of Chicago and
Galena and made the trip in 9 days, taking the three best modes
of travel—by stage, canal, and steamboats—and, upon arriving at
Quincy, found himself almost entirely without means.
So, he again secured a situation as a school teacher, and at the
same time commenced the study of medicine under his uncle, Dr.
George O. Pond, at Columbus, Adams County, Illinois.
Dr. Rich enlisted in St. Louis, MO, in about February, 1846 and
served in the Mexican War one year at Vera Cruz and New Orleans.
He served as a hospital steward in Co K 1st Regiment of Dragoons
until July, 1848. He returned in the fall of 1848 to Adams
County where he resumed the study of medicine. In the spring of
1850 he graduated at the medical department of Missouri
University at St. Louis. In the fall of 1850 he boarded a
steamboat from Quincy from Hall's Landing on the Illinois River,
and from thence to then flourishing village of Magnolia where he
located and commenced the practice of medicine.
In 1851 he was married to Miss Julia Parmelia Baker and from
their union there has been born unto them three children,
Charles Rich, Miss Mary Rich, and Mrs. Kate Burgess (Charles
Burgess, Sr.), all of whom survive him together with his widow.
In the spring of 1862 after a successful practice of 12 years in
Magnolia, he determined to go to the late war (Civil War) and
enter the medical department of the army., which he did, and for
this purpose, he removed his family to Henry, Illinois. In order
that he might settle up his affairs that had accumulated on his
hands he took all of his accounts and notes to a friend and
placed them in his hands to settle, upon the condition that
every account due him by those who volunteered should be marked
paid, and, also, that the accounts of those too poor to pay
should be marked paid. Upon these conditions the Doctor's
affairs were soon settled.
In 1864 the Doctor returned from the Army and settled in the
city of Wenona, Illinois, where he ever after resided as a
successful practitioner in his chosen profession. The Doctor was
made a Master Mason in the lodge at Magnolia. After removing to
Wenona he joined the Wenona Lodge and has ever since been an
exemplary member, always cherishing the principles of virtue,
brotherly love, and truth.
Dr. Rich has been failing in health this past summer, having
been partially paralyzed some time ago, which finally resulted
in his death as before stated. His family rendered him every
attention and kind care that was possible for a loving family to
do, in his sad affliction; his physicians were untiring in their
attention; his Masonic brethren rendered all the aid they could.
In the death of Dr. Rich his family has lost a kind father and
loving husband, the medical fraternity one of their ablest
practitioners, the Masonic lodge one of its exemplary members,
and the community and honest and upright citizen.
The funeral of Dr. Rich was conducted by the Masonic order,
assisted by Rev. Coe of the Presbyterian Church. The pallbearers
were Dr. E. Gaylord of Magnolia, Dr. Evans of Varna, Drs.
Downey, Chewning, Potts, and Carter, of Wenona, followed by a
large number of Masons and friends to his last resting place in
the Wenona Cemetery. A good man has fallen; peace to his memory.
Contributed 05 Mar 2014 by Peggy Thomas
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