Cemetery walk offers history lesson

By Karen Danner

Carved in history: Carl Carr will tell the story of his father, Kenny Carr, during the Chillicothe Historical Society Cemetery Walk Sunday at Chillicothe City Cemetery. Kenny’s Food Services was originally located in the building housing The Vault Annex on Second Street in downtown Chillicothe. Carr will cover his father’s arrival from Ireland, his migration to Illinois and his life. Kenny Carr was born Oct. 28, 1914, and died Sept. 18, 2000. The grocery cart Carr stands with is dated 1946, and was Chillicothe’s first grocery cart. Carr said his father bought five of them and his was the first grocery store to go to self-service. Shortly thereafter, other local stores followed suit.

By Marianne Gillespie

Chillicothe Times-Bulletin

Wed May 28, 2008, 02:01 PM CDT

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Chillicothe, Ill. -

Chillicothe Historical Society members plan on Chillicothe history coming alive at the cemetery walk Sunday afternoon.

Two CHS members will tell about their own family members, buried in Chillicothe City Cemetery.

Carl Carr will tell about his dad, Kenny Carr, as one of the local grocers, in the days when Chillicothe supported a handful of grocery stores.

Also telling his family’s story is Jack Gerstner, who will tell about the clan coming to Rome in the late 1800s.

Kathy Close will tell the Daugherty family history from the perspective of Dr. Daugherty’s mother.

The Wagner family will portray the Hosselton family, with one of its members serving in the Civil War, and tell more about the Civil War.

Lowell Bennett will share the history of the area through the Hammett family, one of the pioneers of the area.

Jimmy Maddox will share information on L.A. Wood, one of Chillicothe’s prominent citizens.

Wood built homes in the area, and also owned the land where Shore Acres Park is now, organizer Diantha Sarver said.

His son, Sidney, was elected multiple times to two-year terms as mayor in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

To see this year’s walk, tickets may be purchased at the event for $5 each.

Residents should enter the cemetery through the Sixth Street entrance and will be directed to park in the new section of the cemetery.

Tours will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Tours are every 20 minutes, with the last leaving at 3:30 p.m.

Participants also are invited to stop at the CHS Fourth Street Museum to view special displays of funeral jewelry, fans and a hair wreath.

Complimentary refreshments are also available.