Note: name spelling and death date on tombstone

#1 Printed in the October 22, 1925 Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

PIONEER LADY OF 1868 IS CALLED TO REWARD

Mrs. Cyntha E. Rosecrans Ervey was born in Tunkhannock, Penn., December 26, 1845, and passed away at her home in Blair last Saturday. Had she lived until December 26th, she would have been 80 years old. She was the last of a family of fourteen children.

In 1868 she was married to William Ervey in the city of her birth and the same year accompanied him to Nebraska, landing at DeSoto. They crossed the Missouri river in a canoe, the only means available at that time. They at once located on a farm eight miles northwest of Blair, where five children were born to them. Addie, the oldest daughter, died in 1915, the balance of the children being Harry Ervey of Blair, Mrs. Myra Beck of Crookstown, Neb., Mrs. Nellie Bowles of Omaha, and Mrs. Rose Ferris of Lakeview, So. Dakota, all of whom were at the bedside of their mother when she passed away. Nineteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren are also left to mourn her passing.

Mr. Ervey died fifteen years ago and since that time Mrs. Ervey has lived alone except for a few days at a time when she was visiting her children. She was a good neighbor and a loving mother and wife.

Coming to Nebraska when the settlements were little more than outposts of civilization, she was an honored member of the county’s pioneer and old settler’s association and looked forward to their annual gatherings with a great deal of pleasure, because she was privileged to be a part of that band of sturdy settlers. Sad to say, few of that noble band are left; they are passing and leaving to the generation following the use and enjoyment of the product of their well spent lives. Her life’s work was done, and in realization of this her last words to her loved ones were: “Don’t mourn for me; it is better that I go.”

Funeral services were held at her late home in Blair at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Rev. W. H. Underwood officiating, and her casket was covered with flowers in token of the love and esteem in which the deceased had been held by neighbors, friends, and relatives.

#2 #2 21 Oct., 1925 - The Pilot

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE

Cynthia E. Rosencrans was born in Tunkhanock, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1845, and passed away at home in October 17th, 1925. Had she lived until December 26th, she would have been 80 years old. She was the last of a family of fourteen children.

In 1868 she was married to William Ervey at Tunkhanock, Penn., and the same year came to Nebraska, landing at DeSoto where they crossed the river in a canoe which was the only way to get across at that time.

They at once moved to a farm 8 miles northwest of Blair, where five children were born to them: Addie, the oldest daughter, passed on in 1915, Harry Ervey of Blair, Mrs. Myra Beck of Crookston, Nebraska, Mrs. Nellie Bowles of Omaha and Mrs. Rose Feris of Lakeview, South Dakota, all of whom were at her bedside when she passed away.

She also leaves 19 grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren who will sadly miss her. Her husband died 15 years ago and since that time she has lived alone most of the time, except at intervals when she would go to visit her children for a few days.

She was a good neighbor and a loving mother. She was a member of the Washington County Pioneer and Old Settlers Association, coming to Nebraska when the settlement of the west was little more than an outpost for the westward rush of civilization that conquered the wilderness and the savage. She was privileged to be a part of that sturdy band of pioneers. Sad to say few are now left of that noble band. They are passing on and leaving to the generation following to use and enjoy the product of lives well spent in hard work and unselfish sacrifice.

Another name is stricken from the ever lessening roll of our Old Settlers and another home is left vacant by her passing. She will be sadly missed by her neighbors and friends, as well as those of nearer and dearer ties. It must be so, but their tender ties cannot be severed without pain. Yet in such a death there is no cause for great grief. Her life’s work was done, weary of suffering and of waiting she is now at rest. Her last words to her loved ones were “Don’t mourn for me, it’s better I should go”.

Smooth the locks of silver hair,

On Mother’s brow with tenderest care,

Gather the robe in final fold,

Lay on her bosom, fair as snow,

The fairest, sweetest flowers that grow.

Kiss her and leave her, our heart’s delight,

Her pain is over, she sleeps tonight.

The funeral services were held at the home in Blair at 2 p.m. Monday, Rev. W. H. Underwood officiating. The casket was covered with most beautiful flowers that showed something of the love and esteem in which she was held by all who know her.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library ~~~

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