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Author: tlcairns83
Surnames:
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From a letter by Thomas Lea Cairns from1938: George went to Southern
Illinois ans was lost for nearly to others for nearly 30 years. He came over with three
other brothers from Scotland. By Ginger Hicks 1997
Taken from an email letter form Luman Edward Cairns on December 2, 1998 about his
g-grandfather:
In Memorian:
Mr George Cairns was born in Scotland, July 1, 1820. He was married quite young in the
land ofhis birth to Miss Agnes Fairnbain whom he survived. Five children were born to
them previous to their imigration, threeof whom died in the old country. In 1842 he came
to this country (USA) and settled in Zainesville, Ohio, and thence came to Alton where
mined coal for a time. He then moved in the neighborhood of Delhi, form which place he
came to the old homestead about five miles west of Brighton where he resided for about 40
years and been identified with the country in all its phases. In all, Mr. Cairns has had
13 children born to him, ten sons and three daughters. Six children now survive him, four
sons and two daughters, all married. His posterity numbers 30 grandchildren and six
great-grandchildren.
During his life Mr. Cairns has been failing and he realized that eternity was near and
though his loved ones saw that the end was not far off they did not think it was so near.
On the morning of the 16th of Feb
Mr. Cairns arose and dressed and sat for an hour in his chair and while walking across the
floor death seized him and he fell and in the twinkling of and eye he had passed
painlessly to his God. His life had been one of toil and constant labor. He met the
realities of his surroundings with brave, manly courage and in the home neighborhood and
country round about, his influence was wholesome and good. He was a typical Scotch
sharacter in his makeup. Plain unassuming and endowed with sterling honesty, he held fast
and firm to his convictions and held above all that an honest man was of the true nobility
of God's creation. No man in his neighborhood has left a better impress upon society
for its betterment than George Cairns. For what little spare time he had he was a great
reader and his fund of practical information was large. He loved his children and the
love was mutual and his example has been and inspriation to them in their battle out in
the world. Though life wa!
s a constant struggle with him he never let temptation lead him astray, but filling to
the best of his ability the station assigned himhe worked on to the end carrying with him
respect, esteem, and trust, while his children without exception gave him that love that
only a good parent can command. Thus has passed away Mr. George Cairns and in him humble
life he has fulfilled his mission and in the influence of his example that permeated the
family and those who have been his friends and neighbor it can be truly said he did what
he could and life is better for having had George Cairns to journey through it. He did
not store a fabulous wealth of leave or leave his name engraved in the temples of fame,
but he died beloved by all who knew him and enshrined in the hearts of devoted children
who knew the wealth of his rugged, rich character and the parental love which never failed
amid all the viscisitudes of life.
The funeral was held at Paradise church on Feb 18 at 12 o'clock noon conduced by Rev.
J. A. Taylor of Brighton M. E. Church.
George's birth information ws extracted form microfilm records of the Scottish Church
Parish Records. The middle name of his wife Agnes was found in those same files. In the
1860 census, he was living
in Alton, Madison Co., IL, listed as George Kerns. In the 1870 census for Jersey co., IL
he and his family were living in Dehli, IL. His occupation was "Day Laborer" and
his age was 49 and his wife Agnes was 47.
In 1854, he filed a Declaration fo Intention for Naturalization in Zainesville, Ohio. A
copy of the declaration was located in Muskingum Co., Ohio courthouse. No record has yet
bben found of where he was naturalized. The above two paragraphs are taken from the file
of Ken Steen. 1999
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