Mrs. Margaret Fitch McConnell passed away Friday night, 9 Aug 1918, at the home of her niece, Mrs. Elmer Thomas, near Hume. She was born in Hume on 18 Apr 1836, and by the death of her parents was thrown on her own resources at the age of fourteen years. Possessed of natural ability and tact, she succeeded in her efforts at self support when but a few occupations were open to girls and those few commanding but a very small remuneration. For a time she conducted a millinery store in Hume village, but while yet a young woman went west where she for a number of years held a responsible position in a store. In 1874 she married William Alton, who died in 1884. Later she married Alva McConnell of Fountain Green, IL, where she lived until his death, when she moved to Galesburg, IL. Eleven years ago she came to Hume, where she has since made her home with her niece. For three years her health has been gradually failing and for the past eight weeks she has been confined to her bed. Besides her nieces and nephews she leaves an adopted daughter, Mrs. Walter Eyre, of London, England. Mrs. McConnell was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Hume as long as her health permitted, and will be remembered by her many friends as a woman of rare tact and graceful presence, who by making much of the opportunities which came to her through association with people of education and refinement and the advantages afforded by a competency had acquired the education which circumstances denied her in youth. Funeral services were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas at two o'clock Monday and the interment was at Pine Grove cemetery.
==============
Corrections to the above are (1) her first husband was William Allton, not Alton; (2) her second husband was Alexander Walker McConnell - this obituary is the only time I've seen him named as Alva, which I believe was an error.
Martha Margaret Fitch was the daughter of Chester and Clarissa (Morse) Fitch, both of whom are included on the current list for Pine Grove.
She was a third wife to William and a second wife to Alexander, had no natural children by either. Second and third wives frequently didn't get their names on the big markers - my euphemism for disappearing after the death of their husbands.
The above Obituary is from an unknown newspaper; It is submitted by Marcia Farina 11/8/08.