Passing of Pioneer Mother

I have been saving some of the obituaries of some family members. I just could not decide where I wanted them to fit in. Since I have been descending the Withrow/Vorhies/Smith line and have discussed most of the relatives, I am about to the 1920's in my mind. However, I have not branched off into what I have learned is called collaterals.

Collaterals are relatives that are not your direct line of grandparents, great grandparents, and on back. The brothers, sisters, and their descendants fit this category.  For example, my great Uncle Gene was Stella Smith's brother as was Uncle Roy. These two brothers along with their wives and children are all part of that family portrait of 1913. See The Family Grows and Grows  They are the three children of Ginevra and John Mac Vorhies. Another name that you have read about here is Viola. She is the daughter of Gene and Carrie Vorhies and was a family genealogist. In fact, remember those boxes she had full of genealogy files. I finally have them in my possession, and I am sorting. They have not been the treasure trove I thought they might be, but I am learning a few new pieces of information. (So far no clues on Carrie Plath)

So, where do these obituaries and assorted information on collaterals fit in? I guess just anywhere I want.  Let's go back to where we started with Sarah Jane Swartzel Withrow and read her obituary. 

Passing of Pioneer Mother

     Sarah Jane Swartzel was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, Nov. 9, 1831.  She departed this life April 18, 1922, aged 87 years, 5 months, and 9 days.  She was married to Joseph Withrow, of Butler county, Ohio January 11, 1853.  To this union seven children were born, six girls and one boy, and all except Mrs. J.M. Vorhies have gone to the great beyond.  Mr. Withrow passed away Jan. 5, 1902.  She united with the Methodist church when twelve years of age.  She has been an invalid the past nineteen years, and during the last three years she has been confined to her bed. Though a great suffer, she has borne it patiently.  She leaves her daughter, thirteen grandchildren, a large number of great grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren to mourn their loss.

     Funeral services were held at the J.M. Vorhies home Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by Eld. Chas. A. Burkhart, pastor of the Church of Christ.  Interment was  made in the Scranton cemetery.

     There is little to add to the above brief biography.  It is the age-old story.  We tread the same paths which our fathers have trod.  Mrs. Withrow was privileged  to live long in the land and her eighty -seven years included the most wonderful era in earth's history.  Her activities, her friendships, her life record are largely in a generation that has passed.  She filled the commonplace niche in the infinite earthly plan of a good and true wife and mother, friend and neighbor.  She will be kindly remembered with the highest esteem.  Profound sympathy is extended to the relatives who mourn her passing.

There are several lines that speak to me:

We tread the same paths which our fathers have trod.

She filled the commonplace niche...

...her eighty-seven years included the most wonderful era in earth's history.

Happy Easter

     I just finished reading a post that is perfect for today. It is called The Significance of Memories Lost.  It  can be found at http://afamilytapestry.com. I hope you will read it and especially the last paragraph. I am inspired.

      My mind is flooded with memories of my cousin and me when we were about 5 and 8 donning our Easter dresses and Easter hats standing in the front yard of our farm home.

     Then, there is the Easter when I was in high school that it snowed. I had spent the night with my friend, Margo. You might remember that she is my third cousin once removed. However, we didn't really know that back then. We were just good friends. I often stayed with her the night before Easter so we could do our part of keeping vigil in the Methodist Church sanctuary through the night.  The Methodist Youth Fellowship kids signed up for one hour stints. We, of course, picked something like 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. This way we were able to be out in the night. She lived in town, and I lived in the country so we stayed at her house. Just so you know, there was nothing happening in Scranton, Iowa at 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. the night before Easter or any other night for that matter (at least in the sixties).  One Easter we did our thing, returned home to sleep a few more hours before sunrise services, and when we woke up there it was...snow on the ground. Who wants to wear new spring clothes in the snow. So, Margo put on her favorite wool skirt and sweater and loaned me her sister's matching set. I idolized her older sister and here I was wearing her clothes. It was a memorable Easter for me, but maybe not for any of the right reasons.

     These stories are certainly not profound, but might give my grandchildren a glimpse into my younger days. When my kids run across that picture of two little girls in hats, they will understand the significance, and if for no other reason, this post has given me a chance to walk down memory lane and recall a couple of almost forgotten memories.

     Happy Easter