St. Clair County Obits

ABEL KILLINGSWORTH

St. Clair County Democrat
6 June 1940
Funeral services were conducted at the Oak Grove
Church Tuesday afternoon by the Rev. L. M. Baldwin for
Abel Killingsworth, pioneer minister of the church of
the Brethren in St. Clair County. The Rev. Mr.
Killingsworth had been in failing health for some
time. He died Saturday morning at the home he had
built almost half a century ago and which adjoined the
church that he had founded.

Abel Killingsworth, son of Wm and Sallie
Killingsworth, was born in Virginia July 16, 1854 and
passed away at his home June 1, 1940 at the age of
85 years, 10 months and 15 days.

At an early age, he moved with his parents to Johnson
County, Missouri. Later, he moved to St. Clair
County. In 1883, he with his family and several other families, moved in covered wagons to Cheyenne, Wyoming. The following year, he returned to St. Clair County where he lived the remainder of his life, having lived on the home place 48 years.

In 1877, he was baptized and united with the church of
the Brethren and in 1880 was elected to the ministry.
He held the pastorate of this church for 45 years. Up
until August 2, 1936, he solemnized over 150 marriages
and conducted over 300 funerals.

On February 14, 1877, he was united in marriage to
Anne Yost who passed away April 14, 1919. To this
union, 10 children were born, two of which died in
infancy.

He leaves eight children: John, Walter, Mosie, Willie,
Mrs. Josie Atkins, Mrs. Nannie Hutton, Edith Elliott
and Ada Gardner.

Interment Oak Grove Cemetery.