Athens (Illinois) Free Press, 18 May 1934

Louisa Aldora, daughter of William and Mary Goff, was born near Sweetwater, Illinois, July 11, 1853.

She attended Honey Hart school near her home and united with the Baptist church at the age of 16 years. She was united in marriage to R. H. Cantrall August 14, 1873. To this union eight children were born; one son, Robert Earnest, preceding his mother in death at the age of 8 months. Mr. and Mrs. Cantrall have been married almost 61 years and had only six deaths in all that time in their immediate family, namely one son-in-law, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

She was a good mother, kind friend and neighbor, and was loved by all who knew her. She spent her entire life within a radius of eight miles of where she was born.

She is survived by three sons, Thomas of Tice, Luther and Goff, of Athens; four daughters, Stella Pittman of Greenview, Lilly Brown of Cantrall, and Minnie Cline and Effie Graham of Athens; 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Ella McNeal of Vergennes, Ill., and Mrs. C. E. Frye of Springfield; and three brothers, Murray Goff of Covina, Cal., L. K. Goff of Lincoln, Ill., and Fred Goff of College Port, Texas. She died at her home in Athens May 13, 1934 at 8:05 a.m. after an illness of several months at the age of 80 years, 10 months, and 7 days. Funeral services were held at her home at 2 o'clock, May 15, 1934, Rev. Unger officiating. Interment was made in Sugar Grove Cemetery near Sweetwater.

Athens (Illinois) Free Press, 22 November 1935

Born at Fancy Prairie, Lived Entire Life in Menard County

Robert Hale Cantrall, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Estill Cantrall, was born July 16, 1851, near Fancy Prairie, Illinois. He attended the Indian Point School. In the year 1873, on August 14, he was united in marriage to Louisa Aldora Goff. They started housekeeping on a farm near Fancy Prairie. They lived their entire life within a radius of 10 miles of their birthplace.

Mr. Cantrall remained in active farm work until about two years ago, when his health began to fail.

Mr. and Mrs. Cantrall celebrated their golden wedding anniversary August 14, 1923, and both lived to spend their 60th anniversary together ten years later. They were the parents of eight children, one son, Robert, having died in infancy. The wife preceded her husband in death May 13, 1934. He is survived by three sons, Thomas A. of Petersburg, Luther and Goff, of Athens; four daughters, Stella Pittman of Greenview, Effie Graham, Lilly Brown, and Minnie Cline and of Athens; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren, besides a host of relatives and friends.

He united with the Presbyterian Church of Athens in the year of 1905. He was a familiar figure on the streets of Athens, and will be missed by many, both young and old. He was never happier than when he told old time stories of pioneer days.

He passed away November 18, at 3 p.m. at his home after an illness of only a few hours at the age of 84 years, 4 months, and 2 days. Funeral services were held at his home November 20, at 2 p.m., Rev. Harding officiating.

Interment was made in Sugar Grove Cemetery near Sweetwater.