Lawrence Daily Journal World, Monday, 14 June 1917
OBITUARY
Almarin Nottingham was born in Sangamon County, Ill., March 31, 1840. His father, Jonathan Nottingham, emigrated from Cape May county, N. J., to that place, where the deceased was the first child to be born in the locality. He was the fifth child of a family of ten to reach maturity. In his boyhood days he led an active life and enjoyed the revival meetings of the pioneer Methodist evangelist, Peter Cartwright.
He enlisted in the beginning of the Civil War and served three years. He was a member of the Tenth Illinois, Company E. He was later transferred to the Oregon Cavalry where much of the time was spent in repelling the incursions of the Indians, many tribes of whom it will be remembered were on the war path. He was mustered out in October, 1865. He then spent some time in travel in the scenic northwest United States and Western Canada, after which he went southward as far as Panama and around the United States in a coasting trip as far as New York. The final or rail trip ended at his old home near Ashland, Illinois. After a brief sojourn there he went west to Texas to engage in the cattle trade. The cattle bought on this great frontier were of those which gave the cattle trails to the north a historic and literary being. As these grass fed cattle came northward in the fall the march became more irregular as they stopped for a day to clean up a corn field until finally in Kansas or Nebraska they were herded on the plains with corn additional. At an opportune time they were shipped in trainloads to Chicago, although at times this was varied by a short sojourn in herds again near that market.
The return trip was usually made largely by rail when a new outfit of horses and wagons, and mess equipment was purchased. It was in passing through Southern Kansas that his romance began which subsequently had its climax in his marriage to Anna Dodge, formerly of Madison, Wisconsin. For a time the two enjoyed the northern part of the great drive together with the herd which now was often in winter quarters in Jefferson county near Oskaloosa and McLouth. When the north and south railways made transportation adequate it became advisable not to make these long drive which resulted in his settling in North Lawrence, northward from which good ranging still existed.
This activity narrowed down to the present place at Sunnyside, some eight miles north of Lawrence. From this time on his career is familiar history to the old settlers. Here he still lived a very active life in developing the place and the cattle on it, the strains of which are recognizable over a large section of the county.
He will be long remembered as a man of emphatic and decided opinion and views on the vital issues of life, as one whose outspoken influence was always for the better thing in politics, civic, educational an religious matters. He keenly enjoyed championing some school reform or heading a delegation to the political centers, as well as acting as committeeman or chairman of local or state organizations. Always interested in seeing every office filled with loyal men, he always declined any nomination to any office except in the G. A. R., or fraternal organizations.
He is survived by his wife, to whom he was married November 20, 1873, and his entire family of three boys and three girls, excepting three sons who died in infancy. As all of these children have been educated here they will be remembered as: Avon Nottingham, of Lafayette, Ind. Daisy Bradshaw, Tulsa, Okla.; Harold Nottingham of this city; Sadie Pauley of New York City. There are also nine grand children. His death is the first in the entire family for over thirty years.
As a result of his advancing years, several accidents and a strenuous life, he had been gradually failing until confined to his bed part of the time the past winter. He has kept active by the greatest determination and never relinquished even the reins of his house until the end. Realizing, however, that he was convalescent, he had planned to sell his stock and live at the city residence, 925 Alabama street, with much out door activity. This former he plan-and executed, but he was stricken that evening and passed away quietly the next morning at eight thirty.
The interment was Monday afternoon at Maple Grove Cemetery, following the funeral services at the house.