Samuel James Rawlings
[Family Page]
Biography
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Date of Birth Oct. 1, 1871
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Place of Birth Virginia, Cass County, IL
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Date of Death April 9, 1957
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Place of Death Decatur, Macon County, IL
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Place of Burial Graceland Cemetery, Section L, Decatur, IL
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Burial Notice Samuel James Rawlings, 1871-1957
Parents
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Father’s Name George W. Rawlings, 1834-1909
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Mother’s Name Martha Ellen (Robertson) Rawlings (1884-1886)
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Date of Marriage November 29, 1860
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Stepmother’s Name Nannie (Rice) Rawlings, 1850-1929
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Date of Marriage April 13, 1892
Spouse
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Wife’s Name Ada (Savage) Rawlings
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Married Family Name Samuel and Ada (Savage) Rawlings Family
Children
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Daughter’s Name Helen Rawlings
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Daughter’s Name Ara Catherine (Rawlings) Waggoner
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Daughter’s Family Name Albert and Ara (Rawlings) Waggoner FamilyAlbert and Ara (Rawlings) Waggoner Family
Brothers and Sisters
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Brother’s Name Harry Rawlings, (???-1866)
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Brother’s Name Charles Wesley Rawlings, 1862-1956
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Brother’s Name Frank E. Rawlings, 1863-1930
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Brother’s Name Dr. Greenbury A. Rawlings, 1865-1933
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Brother’s Name William Elmer Rawlings, 1866-1923
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Brother’s Name John T. Rawlings, 1869-1887
Related Families
- Grandson’s Family Name Jerry and Betty (Roberson) Waggoner Family
Personal History
Samuel Rawlings worked for the Wabash Railroad during his life.
On April 9, 1957 Sam was killed when he walked out in front of a train passing by on Eldorado St. in Decatur IL, apparently on purpose.
He knew the train schedule and he knew the train was coming down the track.
No one knew why he did this, and we can only assume it was an act of suicide, possibly from depression after his wife Ada passed away.
Jerry and Betty Waggoner were living in South Carolina at the time with a young daughter and son, and couldn’t make it back to Illinois for the funeral in time.
Jerry loved his grandfather and felt real bad about not being able to be there for the funeral.