Obituary of Alexander Riley McKelvey

The death of Alexander Riley, was printed under the caption:
“Another Good Man Gone.”

Alexander Riley McKelvey died at his farm residence, one-half mile west of Sparta, Illinois on Saturday, October 30, 1897, after an illness of three weeks, aged 75, 6, 19. (75 years, 6 months, 19 days). The deceased was only 18 months old when his parents came to Illinois from South Carolina in 1823, and settled on the farm occupied by S. W. ( Samuel Wylie) McKelvey, his brother. He lived here all his life except ten years on the farm now occupied by James Walker of Coulterville. He was for years one of the largest and most substantial farmers of this community, recognized by all acquaintances as an excellent man and good citizen, plain and unassuming, in all things honest and industrious. Funeral was held from the residence at 10 o’clock on Monday, conducted by Rev. Nat Childs assisted by Rev. Renwick of Monmouth.