OBITUARY
HERRIN, ILLINOIS, JUNE 1912

Andrew Bennet Chew, father of Frank Chew, merchant, passed away Friday at the age of eighty-two. He had been in feeble health for a long time.

A large number of friends accompanied the body to Murphysboro Sunday where the funeral was held and internment was made.

He was born in Jefferson County, Ill. April 20, 1830. He spent the first eighteen years of his life on a farm, then he went to Belleville, Illinois, and learned the carpenters' trade with his uncle, John William, which trade he followed until he was seventy five years of age.

During this time he did the woodwork on then old buildings at McKendree College, Lebanon, Illinois.

There was borne in the home eleven children, five of whom preceded him across the river of death: four in infancy and one at the age of twenty one years of age.

The other six, namely Frank and Oliver and four daughters, Mrs. Phoebe McBride, Mrs. Della Chesney, Mrs. Nancy Sizemore and Elizabeth Chew, still live and with twenty three grand children and the mother and other relatives and many friends mourn his departure.

Mr. Chew was among the defenders of the Union in the Civil War, having enlisted August 26th, 1861 as a member of Company H. 27th Illinois infantry under Captain Brooks and Col. Buford.

While in the service he took part in the following battles: Belmont, Island No. 10, Corinth, Farmington, Luverne, Stone River, Chicamaugua, Missionary Ridge at Knoxville. At Blaine's Cross Roads he re-enlisted as a veteran of Company G. Ninth Illinois mounted infantry under Captain Martin and Col. Hughs, and served under General Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, participating in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. After the fall of Richmond in 1865, he went to Washington and took part in the grand review, after which he was mustered out at Louisville, Ky.

Submitted by: Dick Besola
Date: November 5, 2002