103 - Melvina Crenshaw Willis - Pleasant Hill, OR
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member NW_history_buff
N 43° 57.709 W 122° 55.115
10T E 506531 N 4867634
A rare older headstone of a centenarian located in Pleasant Hill Pioneer Cemetery and who had connections to two U.S. Presidents.
Waymark Code: WMY6NT
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 05/01/2018
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member iconions
Views: 1

Findagrave.com contains an obituary for Melvina. It reads:

Pioneer Dies at Age of 103

Mrs. Melvina Crenshaw of Cottage Grove Recently Celebrates Birthday

Mrs. Melvina Crenshaw Willis, Lane County's oldest resident, died here this morning at 12:30 o'clock at the age of 103 years, one month and 17 days.

Mrs. Willis was born July 20, 1826, in Nevew, Ill. She was the mother of 11 children, seven of whom survive. They are Mrs. S. E. Hubbard, J. H. Crenshaw, Cottage Grove; L. F. Crenshaw, Grants Pass; F. L. Crenshaw, Marcola; W. M. Crenshaw, Donna; L. H. Crenshaw, Eugene; Mrs. Almia Simpson, Portland.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 o'clock Monday afternoon at the Christian church. Rev. I. G. Shaw will officiate. Internment will be at Pleasant Hill.

Mrs. Willis' first husband, John Crenshaw, was the nephew of James Madison, fourth president of the United States. Six generations were born to this family, although the sixth one who was born in April 1928, died.

Mrs. Willis was acquainted with Abraham Lincoln and her mother was at one time employed in the household of George Washington's parents.

Mrs. Willis was of a keen mind and although suffering from a paralytic stroke over a year ago, which caused a slight stoppage of her speech, she enjoyed having her friends call. Her family of children and grandchildren were present to celebrate her 103rd birthday anniversary a short time ago. She passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. S. E. Hubbard. The family crossed the plains in 1854, Mrs. Willis driving an ox team. She came to Cottage Grove in 1883.

Findagrave.com also mentions her marriages:

First husband & father of all her 12 children was John Madison Crenshaw(married May 1841/1842 McDonough County, Illinois). Second husband was William Halford. Third husband was Daniel S. Nash whom she married March 24,1885. Her fourth,and last,husband was George A. Willis, whom she married in 1905.

Location of Headstone: Pleasant Hill Pioneer Cemetery

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