from The Sunday Herald, St. Joseph, Missouri

December 12, 1897

Death of Mrs. McCoun

A Pionner Woman Who Had Almost Reached The Century Mark

‘Mrs. Jane I. McCoun, aged 95, died at 2:30 yesterday afternoon at the home of her son, three miles northwest of the city.  Her death was due to the natural infirmities resulting from old age.  The funeral will take place at the house at 10:30 Monday morning.  The interment will take place at Mt. Mora Cemetery.’

‘Mrs. McCoun was born in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, December 23, 1802.  She was married in 1827, removed to Andrew County, Missouri, in 1856 and to St. Joseph in 1863.’

The Bible record of her grandson, John Conway McCoun, records:

Jane Isabella McCoun died on December 11, 1897, age 95 less 12 days.

The son mentioned was Ferdinand McCoun.  The year of her marriage is incorrect.  She was married on January 29, 1829, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, to Robert McCoun.  She had also been married, in 1844, in Barren County, Kentucky, to William J. McKittrick, but he died within six months of that marriage and when she moved to Missouri she was known as Jane I. McCoun.

She was the daughter of John Eccles and Nancy Shepherd, who were married in Mercer County, Kentucky, on December 11, 1800.  Nancy’s father, William Shepherd, came to Mercer County as early as 1779, after having served in the Greenbriar Militia and being wounded at Pt. Pleasant on October 10, 1774.

Jane Isabella Eccles lived in Harrodsburg until her marriage, except for two or three years when the family located in Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Kentucky, where her father established a law practice – later returning to Harrodsburg.

Jane was survived by only two of her seven children.

Her death was presided over by Dr. Imuss.  Her funeral services were conducted by Rev. M. M. Goode of the First Christian Church, a close family friend, and for many years, the pastor of the church in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Jane was buried in Mt. Mora Cemetery, the “pioneer” cemetery in St. Joseph, Missouri, on December 13, 18987.