Died in this city, on the 30th of October 1875, of general debility, Mrs. Nancy Pace, wife of Harvey T. Pace, Aged 68 years 6 months and five days.

At the end of her decease, she was one of the few surviving pioneers of Jefferson county, having with her parents, brothers and sisters emigrated hereto, from Wilson county Tennessee, October 25th, 1823.

She was a resident of this county just 52 years, during 46 of which, she was a citizen of Mt. Vernon, having resided a greater number of years therein than any person, living or dead, her husband and one son, who came with her, and Mrs. Mary E. Fly, (daughter of Judge D. Baugh, now of Iowa) who came to Mt. Vernon about the same time, and still resides therein, alone excepted.

She has lived to witness the departure by emigration or death, (the above three alone excepted), of all her earlier associations, with the then frontier and obscure "Western Town," and observed from day to day, the removal of the "old landmarks," to make room for buildings better adapted to the wants and demands of a growing and prosperous community, till, strange as it may appear, the only building remaining is a small frame she and her family occupied the day she became a citizen of Mt. Vernon.

Her funeral occurring on Sunday, the Christian church in the membership of which she was the pioneer in this city, (being a member for more than 32 years,) was densely crowded, all available space being occupied, the aisles not excepted.

On repairing to the cemetery, every available vehicle was brought into requisition, many persons walking and others remaining at home, for lack of conveyance.

The services were conducted, in a most appreciative manner, at the Church, by the Rev. C.E. Cline, Pastor of the M.E. Church of this city, assisted by the Rev. W. Sanford Gee, of the Baptist Church, and concluded at the grave by the Rev. Cline.

We have thus made notice more extended than usual, on such occasions, but this being an occurrence, seldom met with, we feel it not only a duty, but that it will be of interest, to the readers of the Free Press, in this county.

We will prolong this notice no farther, as we are informed, that the Rev. Mr. Cline has by numerous parties, been requested to arrange his discourse for publication, and he having consented so to do, the history of our aged friend and fellow citizen, will therein be more fully reviewed.

Source: The Free Press - Mt. Vernon, IL.
Date: November 4, 1875
Submitted by Mary Jane Ohms - July 5, 2001