Georgianna Johnson was born on 18. Apr. 1855 at Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio. She married
Alonzo E. Purcell on 2. Nov. 1870 at Monticello, Piatt County, Illinois. Georgianna Johnson died on 10. May. 1942 at Sterling, Whiteside County, Illinois, at age 87. From the Sterling Evening Gazette, Monday May 11, 1942.
Mrs. G. Purcell, 87, ILL 10 days, Dies Sunday Morning
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Body Will Be Taken To Her Former Home At Monticello, ILL.
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Mrs. Georgiana Purcell, 87, passed away at 3:30 a. m. Sunday in her home, 507 East Third street, where she had made her home for a number of years. She was taken seriously ill 10 days ago and was bedfast until her death.
The body was taken to the Woods funeral home and returned to the late home this morning, where funeral rites were conducted at 2 p. m. this afternoon by the Rev. Harold E. Olson of the Broadway Methodist church. Tuesday morning the body will be taken overland to Monticello, Ill., for burial at 2 p. m. Tuesday in the Monticello cenetery. Friends may call at the late home this evening where the body will remain until Tuesday morning.
Mrs. Purcell was born April 18, 1855, in Circleville, O. and spent her early life in Monticello. She was married to Alonzo Purcell, who passed away in 1925. The family moved from Harmon to Sterling in 1909. Two daughters also preceded their mother in death, Mrs. Emmza Gertrude Hettinger and Mrs. Nettie Swartley.
Three sons survive, Frank of Ft. Bragg, Calif., William of Sherburne, N. Y., and Gene of Bessemer, Ala. There are 19 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
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NEWSPAPER
Sterling Daily Gazette
2 April 1940
p. 2, col. 2
"Life Sketch"
" FOUR SCORE AND MORE
Mrs. Gerogia Purcell of 507 Third street, Sterling, will be 85 years old on April 18. She was born in Ross county, Ohio, April 18, 1855, daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Hephzibah Dresbach Johnson.
When she was eight months old her parents moved to Piatt county, Ill, near Monticello., where she spent her childhood days. She was married Nov. 3, 1870, to Alonzo Purcell. In 1892 they moved to Lee county near Harmon and later resided in Harmon for two years, moving to 507 East Third street, Sterling in 1909 where she has since resided.
She has three sons, George F. Purcell of Fort Bragg, Calif., Wilbur of Sherburne Four Corners, NY, and Thomas E. of Bessemer, Ala. Four children have passed away, Gertrude, Carl, Lynn and Nettie. She has 18 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
She is in fair health, maintaining her home and keeping roomers and boarders. She did practical nursing for 10 years. She states she has been a regular customer of the Gazette since coming to Sterling."
--------------------------------------------. She was buried at Monitcello Twp. Cemetery, Monticello, Piatt County, Illinois.