J.C.O. McWethy, a veteran of the Civil war and for years one of the best known carpenters in central Illinois is dead. He passed away at the home of his sister, Mrs. Mary Yerkis, in Petersburg, Ky., after but a two days illness with kidney trouble. Mr. McWethy had been a sufferer from the affliction for several years. He had been a resident of Urbana for 15 years.

The decedent spent the last days of his life with his sister, whom he had seen only a few times since his early life. He had been there more than two weeks.

Mr. McWethy was born on January 27, 1828, in Dearborn, Ind. He was a son of Ithamer and Mary McWethy. He came to Illinois in 1864, settling at Old St. Joseph. Before coming to Indiana, his parents kept Harper’s ferry in Maryland. Mr. McWethy was a boatman on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers for several years, running from Cincinnati, O., to New Orleans. He was one of the first to answer the nation’s call for men during the Civil war, and served three years and six months as cook under General Rosencarans in the Fourth brigade, Fourth corps, Fifty First Illinois infantry. When he was mustered out he returned to St. Joseph. He moved to Fisher later and from there went to Centerville, near White Heath, 29 years ago. He finally moved to Urbana.

The decedent was considered one of the best carpenters this state has known, and many are the buildings still standing that he, with the help of his son Chris, constructed. He had erected buildings in nearly every county in central Illinois.

Mr. McWethy married Miss Sarah Hamilton in 1854 shortly before coming to this county. Twelve children were born, five of whom are living, as follows: Mrs. Lydia Johns of 808 West Park street, Urbana, John O. McWethy of Chicago; O.O. McWethy of 507 Grove street, Champaign; Chris McWethy of 808 West Park street, Urbana, and Mrs. W.A. Winters of 1410 ˝ West Hill street, Urbana. He also leaves 18 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren, besides his sister and one brother, Joseph McWethy of Rich Hill, Mo. He visited the brother last summer, the two meeting for the first time in 50 years.

His wife died several years ago. He married Mrs. Irene Winters in June 1912, who died in May 1914. The following step-children survive; W.A. Winters and James Winters of Urbana; Fremont Winters of Missouri; Luther Winters of Champaign; Mrs. Ida Alexander of near White Heath and Mrs. Julia Huddleson of Advance.

When Mr. McWethy married the second time he became the step-father of his son-in-law, W.A. Winters.

The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday from the Herald of Hope Baptist church, Urbana. The pastor has not been named. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery. The body will arrive from Kentucky at 9 p.m. Monday, accompanied by his children who were called to his bedside.

THE NEWS-GAZETTE (Champaign, Illinois), unknown date

J.C.O. McWethy, an old resident of Urbana, died Saturday in Kentucky, just across the river from Lawrenceburg, Ind., after a brief illness due to a complication of diseases brought on by old age. He went there about two weeks ago for a visit. The body has been brought here for the funeral and burial and taken to the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lydia Johns, 808 West Park street.

The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock. Interment will be made in the family lot in Woodlawn cemetery.

The deceased was born in Dearborn, Ind., in 1820, being 88 years of age. His early life was spent in Indiana and Kentucky, his residence in Illinois dating from 1854. For a number of years he was employed as a boatman on the Ohio river and had a run from Cincinnati to New Orleans.

Mr. McWethy served three years in the Union army during the Civil war, being a member of the Fifty-first Illinois regiment.

On Jan. 24, 1854, Mr. McWethy was united in marriage to Miss Clara Hamilton. She died Nov. 9, 1887. Thirteen children were born to them, five surviving as follows:

Mrs. Lydia Johns, Mrs. W.A. Winters, and John, Otis and Christopher McWethy.

CHAMPAIGN DAILY GAZETTE (Champaign, Illinois) Monday, 30 April 1917, p.4