Lemuel G. Cairns (1836-1898)

South Side Cemetery Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois

D1 Lemuel G. Cairns, born June 22, 1836 in Harrison County, Ohio, died April 12, 1893 in Livingston County, Pontiac, Illinois; buried South Side Cemetery, Pontiac, Livingston County, Illinois; Did not marry. One adopted child.

Lemuel G. Cairns was a Civil War veteran. He enlisted in Company F, 3rd Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry Re-Organized on October 8, 1864; Promoted to Full Corporal on May 1, 1865; Promoted to Full Sergeant on March 1, 1866; Mustered out on 25 May 1866 at Victoria, Texas.

In the 1880 Census, Lemuel was living in Gainesville, Texas. In this census record, Lemuel's father (name unknown) is recorded as born in Scotland. Lemuel occupation was listed as a dealer in livestock. In about 1890, he settled finally in Pontiac, Illinois, where he died three years later.

Pontiac Sentinel
Friday, April 14, 1893

The Death Roll

The Grim Reaper Gathers His Sheaves One by One

Major Cairnes

Wednesday forenoon, the citizens of this place were shocked to learn of the death of Major L.G. Cairnes, which occurred a few minutes after ten o'clock. He had been sitting out in the front yard of his residence talking with a friend, when he suddenly grew pale in the face and complained of not feeling well. He walked into the house, took a seat in a chair, but scarcely was seated when he fell on his face to the floor unconscious. Some men at work in the yard were summoned and a physician was called but he was beyond recall. Death came suddenly, though not entirely unexpected as his physical condition had been impaired for some time, he having been a sufferer of heart trouble.

Major Cairnes came to this city about three years ago to make this his residence, coming from Gainesville, Texas. There he had amassed a fortune in ranching and fortunate speculations and sought a northern city to live a retired life. He decided to locate here and bought the J.C. Morrison property which he improved and made a delightful home.

When a young man he lived in Bloomington and from there enlisted in the war for the suppression of the Rebellion. He served with bravery and distinction and won his title. After the was over, he went west engaging in business and afterwards located in Texas where as stated , was successful and his property interests are estimated at half a million.

Since becoming a resident here, he has lived a quiet unassuming life, but has been characteristic in his generosity to the poor. No worthy poor person ever applied to him without attaining assistance. He had his faults like most other people, but these were most ungenerous to himself than to others.

His relatives in Ohio have been summoned and also his business partners in Texas. Definite arrangements in regards to the funeral were made this morning and the internment will take place at the Pontiac Cemetery tomorrow. The services will be conducted at the residence by Rev. D.K. Campbell, of the Presbyterian Church, assisted by Rev. S. Hussey, of the Baptist church at 10 o'clock a.m.

Pontiac Sentinel
Friday, April 21, 1893

The Good Man Dieth

The news of Major L.G. Cairns' death made sad the hearts of many here who knew and loved him well. His business worth will have, no doubt, its meed of praise, and how, with sturdy heart and willing hand he laid his plan and made his fortune in the west, will oft' be told by those who were comrades in those plans. Tis' not alone among the rich and those whom kindly fate has placed in power, that this good man's demise will be most keenly felt. He was not "as a tinkling cymbal or a sounding brass," as Paul declared he man who "hath not charity" to be, but that he had that last and greatest gift, the widows and orphans of the town, the maimed, the poor, the struggling youth, without apparent friends can well bear grateful witness. The writer knows whereof he speaks. His kindly aid has often smoothed life's path for him, and now he begs to give, in feeble way, some testimony of his worth. A man in private life, in public spirit unexcelled, a Mason who had learned to keeps the fires of charity and love alive upon the altar of his heart - such was he who now lies sleeping that long sleep that knows no waking till the last great day. May his dreams be pleasant in the great unknown and may the recording angel, if he write no more write this: "He loved his fellow men." - "M" in Gainesville (Tex.) Register, April 21.

Pontiac Sentinel
Friday, April 21, 1893

Funeral Services of Major Cairns

The funeral services of Major Cairns, whose death was noted in last weeks Sentinel, were held at his late residence, on Water Street, Saturday afternoon, at two o'clock, Rev. Mr. Campbell officiating, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hussey. The sermon by Rev. Campbell was an eloquent and touching tribute, dwelling on the deceased's brave career as a soldier in the late rebellion, in which he honestly and gallantly won his title: his large, open-hearted charities, succoring the worthy poor and needy wherever found; and his genial, whole-souled hospitality, by which he made a host of warm friends during his sojourn of three years in our city. The music by a male quartet, under the direction of Mr. Will Talbot, was exceptionally appreciative and appropriate.

After the services at the home, the funeral train was escorted to the Pontiac cemetery by St. Paul's Commandery Knights Templar, of which order Major Cairns was a member. The burial service of the order was read at the grave and the remains laid to rest.

The large attendance at the last sad rites was an eloquent evidence of the feeling of regret which prevails in the community over the sudden demise of the deceased.

Pontiac Sentinel
Friday, April 21, 1893

Major Cairns' Will

The Will of Major L.G. Cairns has been filed for probate and from it, it appears that his wealth was somewhat over-estimated. The bequests amount to a little over $90,000 and among them Pontiac is handsomely remembered. The remaining property may reach a total of from $40,000 to $60,000 depending largely on what can be realized in the sale of his personal property. He owned $30,000 worth of real estate in Gainesville, Texas, $20,000 worth of stock in a bank there, the homestead here, a large farm in Rooks Creek, a large block of stock in a ranch company in Texas and some property in litigation in St. Louis.

To his adopted daughter, Miss Mahala Cairns, he bequeaths $20,000. in cash, his home and household goods here, the farm in Rooks Creek and all that is left of his estate after all other bequests are paid.

To Moses W. Cairns, father of Miss Mahala Cairns, and a resident of Boomerstown, Ohio, $10,000; to Harrison Pepple, a cousin, of West Virginia, $15,000. to C.R. Smith, of Gainesville, Texas, $15,000.

To the town of Pontiac, $10,000. the interest of which is to go to support of the poor of the town.

There are a number of other legacies in smaller amounts to friends and relatives.

The executors named are C.R. Smith, of Gainesville, Texas; C.C. Potter, of Texas and J.T. Terry, of this city.

Will of L. G. Cairns
August 18, 1892

In the name of the Benevolent Father of All: I, Lemuel G. Cairns, of Pontiac, Livingston county, Illinois, do make and publish this my last will and testament:

Item 1: It is my will that my just debts and all charges be paid out of my estate.

Item 2: It is my will that the sum of five thousand dollars be expended for a monument to be placed to my memory by my executors hereafter named, such as top them mat seem suitable and appropriate.

Item 3: I give and devise to my adopted daughter, Mahala Florence Cairns, my homestead property, consisting or five town lots, fronting on Water street, in the said town of Pontiac, state of Illinois, also two lots adjoining thereto on the south, together with all building and improvements thereon, and twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) in money; and then as follows, viz.:

Item 4: After the above bequests and expenses are paid in full, I give and devise to my friend Moses W. Cairns, of Bowerston, Ohio, ten thousand ($10,000) dollars.

Item 5: I give and devise to Harrison Peppel, of Hinton, in the state of West Virginia, fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars.

Item 6: I give and devise to James Peppel, brother of said Harrison Peppel, five thousand ($5,000) dollars.

Item 7: I give and devise to Elizabeth K. Parker, sister of said Moses W. Cairns, five thousand ($5,000) dollars.

Item 8: I give and devise to Rosena C. Fisher, daughter of George Fisher, of near Bowerston, Harrison county, Ohio, if she is living at the time of my death, one thousand dollars.

Item 9: I give and devise to Margaret Fisher, daughter of George Fisher, if she is living at the time of my death, one thousand dollars.

Item 10: I give and devise to Mary M. Hathaway, daughter of George Fisher, two thousand dollars.

Item 11: I give and devise to Isabel Mack, daughter of Samuel Mack, of near Bowerston, Harrison county, Ohio, if she is living at the time of my death, one thousand dollars.

Item 12: I give and devise to Elizabeth Mack, daughter of Samuel Mack, of near Bowerston, Harrison county, Ohio, if she is living at the time of my death, one thousand dollars.

Item 13: I give and devise to Helen Mack, daughter of Samuel Mack, of near Bowerston, Harrison county, Ohio, if she is living at the time of my death, one thousand dollars.

Item 14: I give and devise to my secretary, C. R. Smith, of Gainesville, Texas, fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars. Any indebtedness he may owe me shall be deducted therefrom.

Item 15: I give and devise to my secretary, Cairns R. Smith, son of C. R. Smith, to assist in procuring for him an education, two thousand dollars. All advancements hereafter made to him by me to be deducted therefrom.

Item 16: I give and devise to my secretary, H. Cairns Potter, son of C. C Potter, of said Gainesville, Texas, one thousand dollars.

Item 17: I give and devise to my secretary, Cairns Adington, daughter of Andrew Adington, now of Indian Territory, and formerly of said Gainesville, Texas, one thousand dollars.

Item 18: I give and devise to the town of Pontiac, in Livingston county, state of Illinois, ten thousand ($10,000) dollars, as a fund to be safely invested by said town of Pontiac, to remain a continuous fund, the interest only of which to be used for the relief of the poor of said town of Pontiac.

Item 19: I do hereby nominate and appoint my friends C. R. Smith and C. C. Potter, of Gainesville, Texas, and J. T. Terry, of Pontiac, Illinois, executors of this my last will and testament, hereby authorizing and empowering them to compromise, adjust, release, and discharge, in such manner as they may deem proper, the debts and claims due me. I do also authorize and empower them, if it shall become necessary in order to pay my debts, upon such terms of credit, or otherwise, as they may think proper, all or any part of my real estate, except my homestead property, mentioned in item 3, and deeds to purchasers to execute, acknowledge, and deliver in fee simple.

"I desire that an inventory of my personal property be taken, but that no appraisement be made thereof, and that the court of probate direct the omission of the same. I do hereby revoke all former wills by me made.

"In testimony hereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal. Done at Pontiac, Illinois, the 18th day of August, 1892.

"L.G. Cairns. [Seal.]

"Signed and acknowledged by said Lemuel G. Cairns, as his last will and testament, in our presence, and signed by us in his presence and at his request.

"James Irwin Best.
"Ned P. Dickson.

"State of Illinois, Livingston County--ss.:

"This day personally appeared before me Lemuel G. Cairns, and acknowledged he signed, sealed, published and declared the foregoing will, and also appeared the said James Irwin Best and Ned P. Dickson as attesting witnesses, and, in my presence and at the request of said Lemuel G. Cairns, signed said instrument.

"Witness my hand and seal, this August 13, A. D. 1892.

"[Seal.]

John W. Woodrow
"Notary Public"

It was proven and admitted that said will had been probated.

It was proven that Mahala F. Cairns, appellant, was the adopted daughter of L. G. Cairns, and that he had no other children.

It was also shown that the decree and judgement adopting appellant as the daughter of L. G. Cairns was had at the August term, 1892, of the county court of Livingston county, Ill.; said decree that L. G. Cairns was then, and for more than a year had been, a resident of Pontiac, in said county of Livingston, Ill.; that he was an unmarried man, and desired to adopt Mahala F. Cairns according to the statutes of the state of Illinois. Said decree also recited that Mahala F. Cairns was born on the 21st day of October, 1874, and was then an inmate of the family of the petitioner, L. G. Cairns. Said Mahala F. Cairns was then invested "with all the rights, duties, and liabilities under the statutes of Illinois concerning the adoption of minor children."

Child of Lemuel G. Cairns:

E1 Mahala Florence Cairns (adopted), born October 21, 1876 in Bowerston, Harrison county, Ohio; married ca. 1903 Walter Chambers Bradish, born December 6, 1873, died November 1968 in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois; Mahala was the natural daughter of Moses and Nancy Cairns. In her 1901 Application for a Passport, Mahala described herself as an artist (view document).