Sunday Obituary - William Talifero Ingram

William Talifero Ingram was the father of William Edward Ingram, the grandfather of Nell Marie Ingram Jones, and the great grandfather of Carolyn Jones Deller.  His obituary was printed in The Daily Free Press, Carbondale, Illinois, on February 21, 1908.

SUDDEN DEATH OF DR. INGRAM

Well Known Murphysboro Physician Died Suddenly at Home in That City Thursday Night

PRACTISING PHYSICIAN FOR 56 YEARS

    Dr. William T. Ingram, one of the best known physicians of South Illinois for more than a half century, and a resident physician of Murphysboro for thirty years, died at his home in that city about 8 o'clock Thursday night.  Death was due to heart failure, the end coming suddenly.  Last December he was taken down sick with a severe brochial trouble and other ailments, but a week or two ago he had recovered sufficiently to enable him to partially resume his practice.  During the part of the day yesterday he was not feeling so well but until a very few minutes before his death it was not believed that he was seriously ill.
  Dr. Ingram was the oldest practising physician in Jackson county, having been engaged in the practice of medicine for fifty-eight years.  He was born at Greenville, Ky., November 8, 1830, his age at time of death being 77 years, 3 months and 12 days.  When he was ten years old his parents moved on a farm near Centralia, this state, where he grew to young manhood.  When he was twenty years old he returned to Greenville, Ky., and began the study of medicine under Dr. Jost, returning to Illinois in the year 1852, when he began the practice of medicine at Xenia.  In the next few years he was located as a physician in Wayne county and at Benton.  At Benton he was engaged in merchandising in addition to the practice of medicine.  At the beginning of the civil war he enlisted in the Fortieth Illinois, serving as private, lieutenant and captain.  Later he was forced to retire from the service owing to rheumatic trouble.  Before the close of the war. having regained his health, he was largely instrumental in the mustering in of the 136th Illinois, Dr. Ingram entering the service in this regiment as lieutenant colonel.  After the close of the war Dr. Ingram served for a time in the government secret service, being stationed at Cairo.
    After the war Dr. Ingram was located at various places DeSoto, Benton, Wayne county and St. Louis, coming to Murphysboro in the year 1876.  Since that date he has practiced medicine continuously in the Jackson county seat and for a number of years has been one of the best known physicians in the county.  In recent years he was for some time associated in partnership with his grandson, the late Dr. Will Hill.  Since the latter's death he has continued his practice alone, with the exception of a partnership for a brief period with Dr. H. H. Roth.
     Dr. Ingram had been married three times.  Besides his wife he leaves three children from a previous marriage.  They are Mrs. Frances Hill, now spending the winter with her Daughter, Mrs. Dan Parkinson, at San Antonio, Tex., W. E. Ingram of Little Rock, Ark.; and Robert Ingram of Houston, Tex.  Eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren survive also.
     During his residence at Murphysboro Dr. Ingram has always taken an active interest in public affairs.  He has served as city alderman, member of school board and held other official positions.  Although a member of the Methodist church for many years, he was one of the organizers and leading members of the Trinity Episcopal church at the county seat.  In recent years he had been identified with the Democratic party, but about the time of his locating in Murphysboro was one of the leaders in the Greenback movement in this section and for a time conducted a newspaper known as the "Industrial Tribune", in the interest of the Greenback cause.
    The funeral will be held Monday afternoon at the Murphysboro Episcopal church.  Interment at Murphysboro.