George W. Makinson
born July 15, 1826, in Congleton, England
died March 28, 1907, in Yorkville, Illinois

Obituaries:

FOR FORTY YEARS DAYTON POSTMASTER
George W. Makinson, father of Mrs. George Pederson of Yorkville, Dies at Age of Eighty

The death of George W. Makinson in Yorkville Thursday, March 31 [actually 28], 1907, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George M. Pederson, brought to a close the long and active life of an honest and upright citizen, born in Congleton, England, July 15, 1826, coming to America in 1840, finally settling in Dayton, Ill., for a permanent residence, where he held the remarkable record of being the local postmaster for more than forty consecutive years.

Of that staunch and steely quality of character typical of the good old English type, Mr. Makinson devoted his life to one of activity as soon as he reached his majority. When the family first came to America in 1840 they settled at Alton, Ill., where they remained for a few years. From there they went to Dayton, LaSalle county, and this place was his permanent residence during the remainder of his life. September 22, 1847, deceased was married to Miss Charlotte B. Evans, and to them were born four sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living with the exception of one son, who died at the age of fourteen years. The mother passed away in August, 1899.

During the past twelve years Mr. Makinson has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Pederson, in Yorkville.

Death was a relief to him. He had passed the years of his usefulness and lived a life beyond the average. He has gone to meet his own beyond the silent river; gone, but not forgotten, and the thought that after all, he has gone to a fairer land, will alleviate to some degree the sadness of his demise. The funeral was held from the Pederson home Saturday, conducted by Pastor Meek of the Congregational church, and interment was made in the family lot of the Dayton cemetery.¹

Geo. W. Makinson

Geo. W. Makinson, an old settler of La Salle county, died at Yorkville, Ill., March 28, 1907, aged 80 years, 8 months and 13 days. The deceased was born in Congleton, England, July 15, 1826. The family emigrated to America in 1840, and settled first at Alton, Ill. After a short residence there the family moved to Dayton, Ill., where the deceased spent the remainder of his active life. He was postmaster at Dayton for forty years. On Sept. 22, 1847, he was married to Charlotte B. Evans. She died August, 1889. They had four sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living, except one son, who died at 14 years of age. For the past twelve years he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Geo. Pederson, at Yorkville, who did all she could to make his declining years comfortable and pleasant. The funeral services were held at the home of his daughter at Yorkville, Ill., March 30th, and the remains were buried in the Dayton cemetery.²

Additional information on George W. Makinson may be found here.

1. The Kendall County [Illinois] Record, April 3, 1907
2. [Ottawa, Illinois] Republican-Times, April 4, 1907