A Pioneer Passes Away

Mrs. A. Masters, after an illness lasting three months, died at the family home in Arlington, at 1:15 Wednesday morning surrounded by her sorrowing family. The funeral will be held from the M. E. church Saturday afternoon Rev. Wm. Esplin conducting the services. Mrs. Masters was 71 years and six months old and had lived here for about 50 years, and leaves besides her husband, two daughters and three sons, to mourn her departure.

#2 May 13, 1909 - Arlington Review-Herald

FUNERAL OF MRS. A. MASTERS

A Large Concourse of People Witness Sad Ceremonies

The funeral of the late Mrs. Sarah Masters took place last Saturday evening from the M.E. Church. Interment in the Arlington cemetery. The church was filled to its capacity, while a large number could not gain admission, so universally respected was the lady among our people, many of whom have known her as a neighbor and friend since coming to Washington county in 1857. The casket was literally bedecked with beautiful flowers; the singing by the choir was touching, while the sermon by Rev. Wm. Esplin was eloquent and consoling. The remains were followed to their last resting place by many sympathizing friends, all of whom felt deeply her departure from our midst.

Mrs. Sarah Keppler Masters was born in DeKalb county, Ind., October 1, 1837. She was therefore 71 years and six months old at the time of her death. Her girlhood was spent with her parents on the old Indiana homestead, where on April 1, 1855, she was united in marriage to Aza-riah Masters. Two years later the young couple came west, direct to Washington County, when Mr. Masters pre-empted 160 acres of Uncle Sam's domains, and then and there commenced the struggle for existence. This farm is still in the possession of the family, and is now occupied by Bryon F. Masters, the youngest son of these worthy pioneers. Other lands were annexed as time passed, but Mr. and Mrs. Masters continued to hold down the original claim until seven years ago, when they abandoned the farm and came to town, where they have since resided in contentment and comfort, honored and respected by all who knew them. Six children were born to them, five of whom, with the husband, one sister and three brothers survive her. They are Mrs. Etta Bryce, Mrs. Dora V. Marshall, C P., A. M. and B. F. Masters. The surviving sister, Mrs. Hannah Slabaugh, resides in Buchanan County Mo. Of the brothers, Daniel J. Keppler is a resident of Arlington, while her other brothers, Jeremiah and Alfred, reside in Steuben county, Ind.

Seldom has a funeral service been so largely attended and on few occasions have so many followed the remains of a friend and loved one to their last resting place. There have been many large funerals in this vicinity to which many have gone to show due respect, but of the large number who attended this funeral, few there were who did not sincerely mourn the departure from their midst of one whom so many have learned to love and honor for the many endearing, traits of character that were manifest all through her life. What higher tribute can be paid to her memory than to state the fact that through half a century of married life she was always a faithful wife and mother and fulfilled the duties and bore the responsibilities of her life from a lofty plane or noble and exalted womanhood. Man in his weak and inadequate way gropes blindly in the maze of language in a vain effort to do justice to the nobility of one who has so fittingly honored the sacred office of mother, for indeed the woman who faithfully performs the duties of the position of wife and mother fulfilled a far grander destiny than ever falls to the lot of man, and such a one was she to whom we attempt here to give adequate credit for the long life of faithful service and devotion to husband and children.

Unselfish by nature Mrs. Masters was ever solicitous as to the happiness and welfare of those about her and often unmindful of her own wellbeing. Sympathetic and kind to any who might need sympathy or a kindly word, she never lost an opportunity to console and cheer. Possessing high ideals she ever lived a near approach to all that was rest. And the many who knew her and enjoyed her friendship and felt the influence of her life will long hold her in affectionate remembrance. But those who were near and dear to her, how great their loss. Those of us who likewise have lost, to the bereaved ones can give our deepest sympathy. And while now, the light of life is dimmed by the darkness of woe that follows in the wake of fate's decree, yet when time has lightened the burden of sorrow, those whose hearts are heavy with grief will find, in the years to come, the brightest rays that illuminate the pages of memory, in the light of loving remembrance of her whom they now mourn.

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

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