DAVID MCALISTER LAID TO REST HAD LIVED IN THE CITY MANY YEARS.
It is difficult to write an obituary covering a life that has beenlive d almost continually in one community. It is written in thehearts of t he people.
David Watson McAlister was born in the Greasy Point community southwes t of Oakland, June 28, 1845. He was 2nd of 9 children born toDavid Ree ce McAlister and Frances Collins, pioneers in the samecommunity. He pa ssed away at the home of his sister, Mrs. A. J.Taylor, north of Oaklan d, Aug. 16, 1928 aged 83 years, 1 month, 18days.
He was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Jane Tipton 28 Oct. 1869. Tot his union was born 4 children, Mary Elizabeth having passed away atabo ut 14 years, Daniel Finley also deceased in early childhood. JohnT., L ouisville, IL, and Mrs. Charles Early, Indianapolis.
Almost all his life was spent in the vicinity of the town of Oakland,h aving lived on a farm and receiving the public school educationoffered t here. He followed the occupation of farming until 1890, whenhe moved t o Oakland and entered the harness business. Aftersuccessfully conducti ng this business a number of years he becameengaged in the sale of far m implements. He was later engaged in themeat market and for about 30 y ears was actively connected with thebusiness enterprises of his home t own, giving loyal support to theupbuilding of the same. In his church a ffiliation, he was apresbyterian having united with the church in Oakl and in 1914,thereafter living in heart sympathy with its promotion in e veryhelpful way. He was connected with the Social and Fraternal organizations of the community, being a charter member of the ModernWoodsman a nd a Mason 45 years. he was a member of IOOF and K.P.assisting liberal ly toward their upkeep.
Since the loss of his beloved companion in Jan. 1914, Uncle Dave livedi n Terre Haute for a few years, also with his daughter at differenttime s, but March 14, 1924 he returned to Oakland where he has sinceresided . Though met with reverse and hardships he was ever courageousand hope ful for a better life known that "Into each Life some rainmust fall." D urning his last sickness he bore his suffering withgreat fortitude, sa id he was ready to go and his life peacefully andgently ebbed away.
Left to mourn his departure are one son, John, one daugher, Minnie,one b rother, Aaron of Champaign, IL, and one sister, Sarah Taylor ofOakland , one foster son, Chauncey Hunter,Paris, who he raised fromearly boyho od together with many relatives and friends.
Funeral services were conducted from Union Church at Greasy Point,Satu rday Aug. 18 at 10:30 A. M., Rev. S. P. Taylor officiating. Theservice s were in charge of A.F. and A. M.
(23 Aug. 1928. THE OAKLAND MESSENGER, Oakland, Coles, County,Illinois)
