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.

Myrtice Averil Smith (1913-1913)

From different genealogy classes I have taken, I have learned to question long spaces between children.  There is an expected closeness between Neva and Ardea.  Neva and Ardea were only about 20 months apart in age.  Hiram and Stella's first child, Nina, and her next sibling, Merroll, were only about 17 months apart.  These are the usual spacings in families of the time.  However, from Merroll to Neva, approximately eight years elapsed. I am unaware of any miscarriages and am not sure I would ever be able to find this out.

Hiram and Stella did lose one child. Her name was Myrtice Averil. She was born January 1, 1913 on their 13th anniversary.  She died seven days later on January 7, 1913. When I was first sharing some of my genealogy records a few years ago, I had an uncle who said he never realized he had another aunt.  I have a paper called a Cradle Call from the Scranton Church of Christ in which the Smiths were very active. I have seen the thank you note in an old newspaper written by Hiram thanking the community for their kindness at the time of the loss of their baby. Myrtice is buried right next to Hiram and Stella in the Scranton Cemetery. 

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At some later date, I will review this record for clarity. This record is not currently with me but in storage at another site.

Attention: Has anyone caught my error?  I have a terrific live-in proof reader, and he brought it to my attention.   Leave me a note if you see the mistake I have made.  I will admit to it and try to find the correct information.