1926 Rayburn Earl Obituary
Hancock County Historical Society
306 Walnut Street
Carthage, Illinois 62321-0068
Phone: 217.357.0043
hancockhistory@yahoo.com
EARL RAYBURN SHOOTS SELF

     Earl Rayburn, 35, of Hamilton, Ill., representative of the Franklin Life Insurance company at
Hamilton for the last few years, shot himself with a 32-caliber revolver in the R. H. Bowen real estate
office shortly before 10 o'clock Wednesday morning and lived until shortly before 2 o'clock in the
afternoon (1926/06/30).
     Mr. Rayburn, well known in Hamilton, Keokuk, Carthage and Quincy, went into the real estate
office about 10 o'clock and pulling a pistol from his pocket shot himself in the right temple. Physicians
were immediately summoned but the shot had hit too vital a spot.
     Friends of Mr. Rayburn state that business reverses were the cause of his act. He was connected
with the Rayburn Wholesale Dealers' company until its failure several years ago and since then he has been
engaged in the life insurance business as Hamilton agent, working under R. B. McKnight of Quincy. The
failure of his former company is thought to have preyed on his mind and caused him to end his life.
     Mr. Rayburn was born in Keokuk, Ia., about 35 years ago, and came to Hamilton when a young lad.
He had made his hom ehere (home here) since that time. He leaves his wife and one daughter, Janice, 10;
three sisters, Mrs. Henry Dadant and Mrs. George Gray, of Hamilton, and Mrs. Minnie Stalby, of Moville,
Ia.; two brothers, Walter, of Chicago, and Robert, who is in a hospital in Jacksonville. He also leaves his
aged mother in Hamilton.


Hamilton
     In the tragic death of Earl Rayburn, which occurred by his own hand, Wednesday morning, June
30th, Hamilton loses a good citizen, and the community in general loses one whom all could not help but
like for his genial friendly spirit. Disappointments in business preyed upon his mind and his courage to live
failed him. The little family which have spent so many happy years together; the loving wife and loving
little daughter, Janice, who for ten years of her life was idol of her father, are left bereft of their best
friend; his mother, Mrs. Ruth Ann Rayburn; his sisters, Mrs. Henry Dadant, Mrs. George Gray and Mrs.
Minnie Selby, and two brothers, Walter and Robert mourn the loss of a devoted son, and a loving brother.
The funeral services were held Friday afternoon from the late residence. They were conducted by Rev.
Eleanor Gordon and Rev. Geo. Burns. Beautiful music was furnished by the ladies' quartette and the
quantities of lovely flowers were silent tributes of love and sympathy. Friends from Quincy, Carthage and
Keokuk were present. The Masonic lodge of which he was an honored member, gave their burial service at
the grave which is in Greenwood cemetery (Montebello Township).