Gilva Victor Woolsoncroft, youngest son of David and Mary Woolsoncroft, was born in Roberts, Illinois, September 26, 1885, and died at Cissna Park, Illinois, Friday, August 26th, 1921, aged 3? years and 11 months. His childhood was spent here where he attended the Public School and the Sunday School. He graduated from the Roberts High School in the class of 1901 and then went to Eureka College where he took a business course graduating in the class of 190?. After this he took a course in the Chicago college of Veterinary Surgery and Medicine which course he completed in 19??. During his ?? he practiced with Dr. M.E. Gleason at Gibson City. After his graduation he began his practice at Cissna Park where he built up a good practice and where he remained until his death except for a few months in 1914 when he was obliged to remain in a hospital in Chicago on account of failing health. This was re? however and he returned to his practice which covered the territory around Cissna Park and Rankin. He was a member of the American Medical Association and of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association and also assistant State Veterinarian.
The deceased was a big hearted, generous young man, always ready to share whatever he had with his friends and always trying to "Do unto others as he would that they should do unto him." He was throughly unselfish. He liked amusements and enjoyed a joke as well as anyone. Even if the joke were on himself he seemed to get much amusement from it as did any one else. One kind of joke however he never relished, that was one which caused suffering to another. The writer of this article was associated with him for six years when he was in the public schools of Roberts and believe that we knew him well. As a boy he never made trouble. He did his part in the school room and on the playground and always recognized the rights of others. As a man the reports from Cissna Park are that he was ever ready to do his duty. He stood high in the esteem of the community as shown not only by words of commendation that we hear from there but by the large number who bore witness of the fact by attending the funeral which was held at Roberts.
Gilva's father died July 28, 1908. His mother if left to mourn his death also two brothers, James Henry and John Edward, both of Roberts. He also leaves two nephews and a host of other relatives and friends who join them in sorrow.
His health had been pretty good since he left the hospital in March 1915. He was a man large in stature, tall, broad, heavy and stately. The last time he was in Roberts alive, two weeks before his death, he weighed with some of his friends and his weight was 420 lbs. He carried his weight well and made a very good appearance when walking along the street or out in company.
His death came suddenly as the result of accident. Friday evening he and one of his friends went to a restaurant for supper. He sat down to eat first. His friend was in the washroom when a waitress ran to him and said, "See what is the matter with doctor." He ran out and found Dr. Woolsoncroft had gone out in front of the building. He followed and saw the doctor's face was purple. He said, "What is matter doctor?" The doctor answered, "I am choking." He tried to help him but could do nothing and ran a short distance for a doctor but when they returned Dr. Woolsoncroft was dead.
The funeral services were held at the M.E. Church in Roberts Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. W. D. Benjamin of Cissna Park and Mrs. W.F. Dudman officiating. The remains were then laid to rest in Lyman Cemetery. The burial services was conducted by the Knights of Pythias of Park Lodge No. 20?, Cissna Park, of which he was a honored member. The Roberts Lodge accompanied them. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Roberts. Not only the people of this vicinity were there en mass but from Cissna Park, nineteen miles away, there were 65 autos. We will not undertake to name the people from there but others from a distance included: Mr. and Mrs. John Dykes of Da??, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Moore and son of Pontiac, Mr. and Mrs. William Kerchanfaut of Elliott, David H. Warner of Normal, James Turney of Gibson City, Mr. and Mrs. Boyd ?ahn of Mount Pulaski, Mr. and Mrs. James Hahn, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thompson and Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Thompson of Melvin; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hahn of Chatsworth, Mr. and Mrs. William Scott of Gilman, James Buzick of Champaign, William Hahn and sister Mrs. Loyd Ryner, Mr. and Mrs. Hollenburg and children, Mr. and Mrs. V. Mansburg and Mrs. Frances Hahn of Momence, Dr. Oltmnn of Watseka and Miss Mammie Brownfield of Wheeling, Colorado.
Card of Thanks.
We desire to thank all who comforted us and who aided us during our sad trial, the funeral and burial of our son and brother. We thank those who furnished flowers, those who furnished music, those who furnished automobiles, and those who aided in the many ways. We especially thank the Knights of Pythias of Cissna Park and the Knight of Pythias of Roberts, and all others there are many, who assisted us.
Mrs. Mary Woolsoncroft
J. H. Woolsoncroft
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Woolsoncroft and family
--Roberts Herald. 31 August 1921
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