Ahnentafel #42 - John Gentle

John Gentle

Born: May 11, 1816 in Washington Co., IN
Died: Nov. 30, 1874 in Jefferson Co., IL

John Gentle was born in Washington County, Indiana, May 11, 1816 and died at his own residence in Jefferson County, Illinois, November 30, 1874, in the triumphs of a living faith, aged 58 years, 6 months and 19 days.

It was not until the spring of 1871 that he was deeply convicted of sin and saw that he was without God and without hope in the world; but he soon found the Pearl of Great Price, and was happily converted to God, in his own house, about the first of March 1871.  He soon afterwards attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Black Oak Ridge, Middleton Circuit, Mt. Vernon District, Southern Illinois Conference.  From thence he moved his membership to the Mt. Olive Society, on the same circuit.  He was then licensed to exhort, by the Rev. W.R. Taylor, who was at that time Preacher in Charge.


Father Gentle was an acceptable member and zealous worker in the cause of our Holy Christianity, until God called him to his reward.  His death was occasioned by his team running away and throwing him from his wagon, so severely injuring him that after intense pain and suffering for the space of two weeks, death relieved him, and his weary soul passed peacefully and triumphantly from the confines of earth to joys immortal.  All that medical skill could do was done to restore him, but in vain.

During his last days he was cheerful and often very happy while meditating upon the goodness and mercies of God.  He greatly delighted in singing and nothing soothed him more than one of the songs he loved, and would often repeat the following lines, which are a portion of one of his favorite songs:

Oh, I long to be with Jesus,
In the mansions of the blest,
Where the wicked cease from troubling,
And the weary are at rest.

After the space of about four years of active labor in the Master's vineyard, he obtained his discharge and went to his glorious reward on high.  He leaves behind a deeply afflicted wife and children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and loving father; but God is a Father to the fatherless and a husband to the widow.

Father Gentle was held in high estimation in the community in which he lived and the society to which he belonged.  To know him was to love him.  May we meet him "on the other side." 

Peace to his memory. 

John Gentle was also a Freemason.  His tombstone has the masonic symbols square, compass and G.  The square represents virtue as man "must square his actions by the sqaure of virtue with all mankind." The compass is an represents the wisdom of conduct; "the strength to circumscribe desires and keep passions within due bounds." The G stands for God and geometry.  When these masonic tools are placed together with God at the center, peace and harmony is the result.

Buried: Mt. Olive Cemetery in Jefferson Co., IL

Religious affiliation: Methodist Episcopal 
John Gentle gave a few acres off his farm in Jefferson County, IL for the Mt. Olive Church and cemetery where he and many members of his family are buried. 

Married: Mary Frances Parrish April 17, 1836 in Putnam Co., IN

Occupation: farmer

Migration: 
Born in Washington Co., IN 1816 unclear when the family moved northwest to Parke County, IN.  
1836 - 1849 the family was living in Parke County
1849 moved to Vermilion Co., IL just across the state line from Parke County, Indiana
By 1855 the family had moved to Wayne Co., Illinois where they stayed through about 1861. The Civil War may be the reason they left Wayne Co.  The Robertsons moved back to central Illinois during the war.
1862 family living in Edgar Co., IL 
1864 John Gentle bought land in Jefferson County, Illinois

Census:
1820 not found on census

1830 not found on census

1840 Parke Co., IN age 24 living with wife and four children.

1850 Vermilion Co., IL age 33 living with wife and seven children.  John is listed as a farmer.

1855 Wayne Co., IL age 39, living with wife and nine children

1860 Wayne Co., IL age 44, $1600 real estate, $425 personal property living with wife and seven children

1865 not found on census, the Jefferson County census is extremely difficult to read

1870 Jefferson Co., IL - Webber Twp. age 54 a farmer with real estate valued at $500 and personal estate worth $430.  His son Howard is also listed as a farmer holding real estate worth $300 and personal estate at $300.  There are four other children still living at home.

Children: 
William Shepherd b. 1837 d. 1911 md. 1) Rebecca Rogers 1868 & 2) Phoebe Lane 1877

• William Riley b. 1879, d. 1962 AR, md. Eda Jane Whitecotton
• William b. 1908
• Jimmie b. 1909
• Lee Henry b. 1892, d. 1975 CA md. Florence Rhodes
• Sue b. 1915, d. 1945
• Amos b. 1916, d. 1969
• Maxine Maggie b. 1917, d. 2014
• Mattie Mae b. 1918, d. 2016
• Birdie Lou b. 1921, d. 1922
• Albert William b. 1923, d. 2022 md. Alta Melton 1945
• Anna md. (--?--) Warren
• Ralph
• David md. Karen (--?--)
• Charles 
• Todd md. Lisa (--?--)
• Mary md. (--?--) Spiller
• Lawrence Lee b. 1925, d. 2011
• Irma Josephine b. 1928, d. 2006
• Alfred Joe b. 1933, d. 1987
• Charles Dee b. 1934, d. 1950
• Fred b. 1894
• Samuel McKinley b. 1898, d. 1993 AR, md. Mattie Wingfield
• Nellie b. 1920, d. 1922

Ezekiel b. 1838, d. 1921 CA md. 1) Josephine Thomas & 2) Andromeda Wright 4/1875

• Marilla Florence b. 1875
• Sarah May b. 12/17/1876
• Frederic b/ 6/27/1878, d. 1/13/1943 CA md. Mary Etsall ca. 1900
• Vera b. 1901
• Hazel b. 1905
• Bessie b. 1907
• Laura b. 1908
• Mary Frances b. 4/18/1884
• Edna Lauretta b. 2/3/1887

Eliza b. ca. 1840 md. William Robertson ca. 1857

• John Robertson b. 1857
• Richard Robertson b. 1859, d. 1879
• William Robertson b. 1862
• Savannah Robertson b. 1863 md. William Arbrethnot 10/1/1899
• Fred Arbrethnot b. 1887
• Ida Robertson b. ca. 1866
• Lilburn Robertson b. 1870 md. Clara Beckel 12/4/1892
• Lottie Robertson b. 1893, d. 1988 md. Earl Blackburn 1911
• William Fred Blackburn b. 1917, d. 1920
• Mary Helen Blackburn b. 1918, d. 2001 md. (--?--) Tondini
• Lester Paul Blackburn b. 1922, d. 2006 md. Juanita Williams 2/15/1959
• Byron Blackburn
• Paula Blackburn md. (--?--) Griffin
• Mamie Robertson b. 1895, d. 1947 md. (--?--) Norton
• Mary Robertson b. 1875 md. Charles Towsley 11/29/1896

Nancy Jane b. 5/25/1842 d. 10/28/1923 md. James Franklin Crumbacher ca. 1861

• Sara Crumbacher b. 5/12/1863, d. 9/9/1864
• Edward Crumbacher b. 7/31/1866, d/ 11/30/1945 md. Elizabeth Simmons 10/11/1887 
• Blanch Crumbacher b. 1888, d. 1889
• Walter Crumbacher b. 1890 md. Elsie (--?--) ca. 1911
• Leslie Crumbacher b. 1912
• Larnell Crumbacher b. 1915
• Lea Crumbacher b. 1892
• unanmed child b. 1895
• Charles Crumbacher b. 1897, d. 1897, 5 months old
• Florence Crumbacher b. 1902
• Mary Crumbacher b. 1903
• Ella Crumbacher b. 1905
• Albert Crumbacher b. 5/23/1868, d. 8/11/1905 md. Ollie Trotter, 12/24/1888 
• Mabel Crumbacher md. (--?--) Schiele
• Fannie Victoria Crumbacher b. 1894
• Albert Ross Crumbacher b. 1898
• Guy Crumbacher Crumbacher b. 1900, d. 1990 md. Thelma Knicely 12/4/1923
• C.L. Crumbacher
• Edna Crumbacher
• Fred Crumbacher b. 1904, d. 1997 md. Vera Bailey
• James Crumbacher
• Mary Etta Crumbacher b. 8/13/1870, d. 3/13/1948 md. Monroe Harrington 2/24/1891
• Candace May Crumbacher b. 10/28/1872 d. 7/1952 md. Calvin Dobbs
• Lillie Bell Crumbacher b. 2/15/1875, d. 2/3/1954 md. 1) John Fraim 12/23/1894 & 2) Allen Robertson
• Elzora Crumbacher b. 3/27/1877, d. 7/21/1962 md. Sherman Slade
• John Allen Crumbacher b. 7/21/1879, d. 11/3/1969 md. Ruth Swan 1909 
• Grace Crumbacher b. 1913
• Albert Crumbacher b. 1915, d. 1996 md. Agnes Withrow 10/24/1936
• Shirley Crumbacher md. Charles McKibben 10/6/1956
• Cindy McKibben md. Rick Simmons
• Tyler Simmons
• Jared Simmons
• Bruce McKibben md. Debbie Blackford
• Julie McKibben md. Johnathon Garrett 12/20/2014
• Emily McKibben md. Lincoln Taylor 2017
• unnamed daughter McKibben (twin) b. 1966, d. 1966 1 day
• unnamed daughter McKibben (twin) b. 1966, d. 1966 1 day
• Darlene Crumbacher md. Charles Flack 6/9/1956
• Charles Flack Jr.
• Ronald Flack 
• Terry Flack b. 1961, d. 1961
• Judy Crumbacher md. (--?--) Scarborough
• Louise Crumbacher md. (--?--) Schick
• Kay Crumbacher md. (--?--) Barrett
• Allan Crumbacher
• George Crumbacher
• Faye Crumbacher md. (--?--) Johnson
• Nova Crumbacher b. 1918, d. 2012 md. Loran Anderson 
• Patsy Anderson md. (--?--) Baker
• Mark Baker
• Mike Baker md. Sandy Helm
• Lisa Baker

Sarah b. 1844
Howard b. 10/28/1846 d. 11/19/1933 md. Isabelle Moore ca. 1871

• Ola md. John Scrivner 3/18/1895
• Frances b. 1872 md. Joel Scrivner 1896  
• Homer Scrivner b. 1896 md. Mary Allen 6/10/1922
• Joe Scrivner b. 1924 md. Marie Lippert 7/20/1947
• Mark Scrivner
• Scott Scrivner
• Bobby Scrivner md. Rita Reedy
• Wayne Scrivner md. Dorothy Kitsch
• Roy Scrivner md. Lois Jefferies
• Ota Scrivner b. 1899, d. 1973, md. V.O. Marshall
• Lora Scrivner b. 1906 md. V.O. Marshall
• Louisa b. 8/21/1878, d. 2/21/1895
• Della b. 10/1880 md. James Jarvis 1900 
• Beulah Jarvis
• Lottie Jarvis
• Calvin b. 6/1882 md. Grace Whitlatch 11/19/1901
• unnamed son
• unnamed daughter
• Elmer b. 1910, d. 2001 md. Ruth Robertson (daughter of John & Rose (Moore) Robertson)
• Larry b. 1939, d. 2007 md. Diane Davis
• Marie b. 1916, d. 1995 md. Gale Bourland 4/17/1941
• Nita Bourland md. Dean Cates
• Robert Cates
• Randy Cates
• Kristin Cates
• Rita Bourland md. (--?--) Vaught
• Donald Bourland md. Karen (--?--)
• Stacy Bourland md. Kim Giacona
• Taylor Giacona
• Caroline Bourland
• Leota b. 1917
• Oscar b. 1889, d. 1954 md. Nellie Schrum 1914 
• Oscar b. 1914, d. 1914 7 days old
• Norman b. 1929, d. 2014 md. Betty Wilson 4/1/1950
• Rebecca md. Dwight Catron
• Nicholas Catron
• Leslie Catron
• Deanna

Benjamin b. 1848
Candace b. 1850 d. 1880 md. Varderman Butler 1/20/1869 (see Minor Butler)
Mary Frances b. 1851 d. 1883 md. Daniel Branchcomb 1/1870

• John Luther Branchcomb b. 2/4/1871, d. 5/8/1948 md. Nancy Hill 
• Walter Branchcomb b. 1893, d. 1899

Amanda Ellen b. 12/8/1854, d. 9/13/1935 md. Edward Hasten Richardson 5/2/1875

• Catherine Leona Richardson b. 2/13/1876, d. 1/7/1954 md. William Garrison 
• Hasten Gregg Garrison b. 1909, d. 1960 md. Bernice Stone 9/7/1933
• Clarence Garrison md. Virginia Craig 3/3/1962
• Craig Garrison
• Kim Garrison
• Linda Garrison
• Audrey Garrison
• John Garrison
• Gary Garrison md. Jean Hartleb
• Tracy Garrison
• Mark Garrison md. Lynn Densmore
• Andrea Garrison
• Charles Preston Garrison b. 1912, md. Leola Shepherd 10/8/1932
• Donna Garrison md. Frank Lyons 6/24/1949
• Marilyn Lyons
• Charles Garrison b. 1935, d. 1936
• Ronald Garrison
• Amanda Rebecca Leone Garrison b. 1914, d. 1917
• Myrtle Marie Garrison b. 1917
• Lillie Richardson b. 10/20/1878, d. 3/25/1880
• Orley Homer Richardson b. 8/10/1881, d. 3/11/1976 md. Ethel Stella Austin 12/29/1903 
• Leonard Richardson md. (--?--)
• Sharon Richardson
• Joyce Richardson
• Leonard Richardson Jr.
• Cyril Rudean Richardson b. 1904, md. Margaret Lee 12/26/1925
• Hazel Richardson md. Dean Shelbourn
• Marie Shelbourn
• Howard Shelbourn
• Arlene Shelbourn
• Christine Shelbourn
• Barney Richardson md. Betty Tate
• Cheryl Richardson
• Cynthis Richardson
• Alice Richardson b. 1937, d. 1970 md. John Ayers, 6/21/1952
• Perry Ayers
• Daniel Ayers
• Phyllis Ayers
• Vernon Runyon Richardson b. 1907, md. Ida Sweets
• Vernon Richardson md. Paula Gray 
• Pamela Richardson
• Ronald Richardson md. Barbara Kerr 1/25/1963
• Ronald Richardson
• Karen Richardson
• Clyde Richardson b. 1909
• Parvin Howard Richardson b. 1919 md. (--?--)
• Doris Richardson md. (--?--) Riley
• Brandy Riley
• Patricia Riley
• Howard Richardson
• Judith Richardson
• Kevin Richardson
• Aubrey Richardson md. (--?--)
• Dennis Richardson
• Thomas Richardson
• Keith Richardson
• John Robert Richardson b. 1883, d. 1955  md. Maggie Dugan 3/12/1905 children: Cleora, Dwight, Kermit, Cassel, Bernie
• Myrtle Richardson b. 3/1886 md. ? Hanks child: Carl 
• Bertha Lucetta Richardson b. 5/1888, d. 1965 md. James Bundy 1907 
• Owen Edward Bundy b. 1907, d. 2004
• Burrel Lester Bundy md. (--?--)
• John Bundy
• Ruby Bundy
• Morrison Judd Bundy b. 1911
• Robert Ermine Bundy b. 1912, d. 1925
• Lois Catherine Bundy md. (--?--) Constano
• Mary Bundy md. (--?--)
• Lois (--?--)
• Melba (--?--)
• William (--?--)
• Naomi Bundy md. (--?--) Scott
• Jacqueline Scott
• Barbara Scott
• Larry Scott
• Gladys Bundy md. (--?--)
• Carolyn (--?--)
• Rodney (--?--)
• James Bundy md. (--?--)
• Robert Bundy
• Delbert Richardson b.7/27/1892 d. 6/29/1975 md. 1) Anna Ellen Osborn & 2) Lee Green 
• Raymond Wallace Richardson b. 1913, d. 1990 md. Mildred Catron 
• Raymond Richardson
• Karry Richardson
• Jimmy Richardson
• Galen Richardson
• Melvin Louis Richardson md. Betty Trout 
• Gary Richardson
• Tommy Richardson
• Linda Richardson
• Laylen Murrel Richardson b. 1918, d. 2004 md. Avonelle Estes
• Karen Richardson md. Randy Frederick
• Jenni Frederick
• Rachel Frederick
• Deena Ricahrdson md. Dean Petersen
• Mike Petersen
• Jan Petersen
• Dennis Richardson md. Pam (--?--)
• Amanda Richardson md. Brett Felty
• Seth Felty
• Ashton Felty
• Jase Felty
• Glen Richardson md. Sara (--?--)
• Harold Richardson md. (--?--)
• Judy Richardson
• David Richardson
• Timothy Richardson
• Edward Richardson
• Edward Hasten Richardson b. 1928, d. 1951
• Billy Ray Richardson b. 1930 d. 1991 md. Georgia Harrison 11/28/1951
• Dana Richardson
• Denise Richardson md. (--?--) Smith
• Bobbie Lee Richardson
• Peggy Ann Richardson
• Ross William Richardson b. 2/10/1896, d. 8/9/1968 md. Norma Burge 
• Geneva Pearl Richardson b. 1916, d. 2016 md. Arvil Sledge
• Robert Edward Richardson b. 1918, d. 1999 md. Sylvia Withrow 3/28/1940
• Brent Richardson md. Ann (--?--)
• Derrell Ricardson
• Georgia Bernice Richardson b. 1923 md. Fred Bruner 
• Beverley Bruner md. Kenny Kincart
• Betty Deloris Bruner
• Fred Ross Bruner b. 1946, d. 2014 md. (--?--)
• Andy Bruner md. Frankie (--?--)
• Tammy Bruner
• Brenda Bruner b. 1948, d. 2018 md. (--?--) Bumpus
• Betty Jean Richardson b. 1929, d. 2014 md. Warden White 10/1945
• Sandra White md. John Firebaugh
• Stephen White md. Judy (--?--)
  
• Susan White md. Russel Bowling
• Stephanie White b. 1964, d. 2011 md. Gordon Brawley 1984, Dewayne Talbert 2002, Victor Bloodworth, Mark Lowery
• Trevor Brawley
• Trevor Bloodworth md. Dana Moyer
• Aleigha Bloodworth
• Brynna Bloodworth

Selestine b. 12/28/1856 d. 7/12/1937 md. Enoch Green 1/25/1880

• Nellie Green b. 12/1880, d. 1971 md. Samuel Roy Keen ca. 1901 children: Ruby, Lulu
• Clara Green b. 2/1883 md. Oscar Richardson children: Willard, Eugene, Arthur, Howard, Marie
• Roy Green b. 2/1886 md. Rettie Humphrey 1911 
• Marvin Green b. 1913
• Maurice Green b. 1915
• Horace Green b. 1920 md. Fern (--?--)
• Billie Green
• Lova Green b. 2/28/1889, d. 6/25/1976 md. Charles Keen ca. 1909, children: Mildred, Roberta
• Bennie Green b. 11/18/1890, d. 9/12/1898
• Georgia Green b. 10/1894 md. Clyde Moore ca. 1913 Children: Herman, Milburn, Marjorie

Cordelia Adatine b. 1859 md. Arthur Wood 8/10/1882  Children: Otis, Ross, Evan, Omer
Florence Dora

Revised 8/15/2022