Obituary - Illinois State Journal (Springfield, Illinois) - 21 February 1860
OBITUARY - We regret to learn of the death of our old friend, Levi Cantrall,
senior, who died at one o'clock yesterday, aged about seventy-three years. He
was one of the pioneers of this county. His character was above reproach in
every respect; he has gone to his grave "full of years and honors", and his
death will be regretted by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. We
trust that some person competent for the task will write a suitable obituary
notice, and forward it to the Journal for publication.
Obituary - Illinois State Journal (Springfield, Illinois) - 28 February 1860
Levi Cantrall, one of our oldest and most esteemed citizens, has left us for
the scenes and enjoyments of another sphere. He died calmly after forty-two
days of suffering. His wife was constantly with him, and tenderly ministered
to his wants. His family and numerous friends surrounded his bed, and in
perfect sanity, and while exhorting to temperance and Godliness his friends and
neighbors, he breathed his last. He died on the 20th of February, 1860. He was
born October 1, 1787, in Botetourt County, Virginia. His father, Joshua
Cantrall, emigrated to Mercer County, Kentucky, when Levi was five years old. Levi
Cantrall was married in Kentucky and removed thence with his family to Ohio
in 1811, where he resided until 1819, when he came to Illinois. He passed
through Springfield in December of that year. There was then only one log cabin
and five acres of prairie broken. He settled on his "Cantrall Creek" farm that
winter, and has lived there ever since, a period of 41 years. He was in the
Army of the United States in the Northwest during the War of 1812. Of a
gentle disposition, scrupulously honest and strictly moral, he was always
surrounded by friends. His whole life had been a "living epistle" of religion,
honesty, and temperance. He lived to see his whole family comfortably settled in his
adopted state. He was gathered to his Father's garner at the ripe age of
seventy-two. Requiescat in pace.