Well Known Old Citizen Died Last Night at Home of His Son Age 78 Years

Charles Allen Ratliff, 78 years of age, who taught in the rural schools of this county for twenty-five consecutive terms; died last night at the home of his son, Fred Ratliff, at 419 South Sixth street.

Mr. Ratliff had been drawing a teacher’s pension for a number of years and is believed to have been one of the oldest retired school teachers in this county. Mr. Ratliff taught in the schools of Mt. Vernon and Field townships and had a very wide acquaintance especially in the northern part of the county where many of his former pupils resided.

Mr. Ratliff was born in Tazwell county,. Illinois, on August 2, 1850. He was the son of Wesley Thompson and Sarah M. (Lewis) Ratliff. The family moved to this county when Mr. Ratliff was a child and the greater part of his life was spent here.

He attended the old college at Irvington before beginning his work as a school teacher and his ability along this line was so great that his services were in constant demand during the 25 years in which he taught school.

Mr. Ratliff had been in failing health since last June and had been confined to his bed for more than two months. In recent weeks his condition had been so critical that little hope was entertained for his recovery.

Mr. Ratliff was married to Mary Jane Stonecipher on Sept. 15, 1881.

He is survived by one son, Fred L. Ratliff of this city, a brother, Richard L. Ratliff of Field township, and one sister Mrs. Eliza Jane Johnson, of Mt. Vernon. Two sisters are dead. He also leaves three grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at the Hopewell Church north of Mt. Vernon Friday morning at eleven o’clock. The body will lie in state at the Myers funeral chapel tomorrow and until nine o’clock Friday morning.

Note: there is no stone marked for this burial. Listed in Fred Justice’s book of unmarked grave in Jefferson County.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: March 12, 1929
Submitted by: Ken Richardson