OLD SETTLER GONE

An invalid for the past four years and during that time suffering with a patience and fortitude such as is shown by but few, a suffering with no complaint or lament even to the end, Mrs. H. H. McGill, for forty-five years a resident of the county on the old homestead at New England, loved and respected alike by old and young, passed away on Sunday evening, Jan. 18, at 7 o’clock, at the advanced age of 69 years, 2 months and 13 days.

Mrs. McGill was indeed an old settler in this community and is rightfully numbered among those pioneer wives and mothers who, side by side with their husbands, braved the wilds of the then unknown west, broke out and tilled the virgin prairies until we today know no east, no west, but through their efforts are living in a “Garden of Eden”, the existence of which is due wholly to the pioneers of the early day and among whom Mrs. McGill was numbered.

Sarah Jane Cranshaw was born in the state of Massachusetts on Nov. 5, 1844. Later in life she went to Wisconsin, where on Feb. 9, 1865, she united in marriage with Henry H. McGill and the union was blessed with nine children, all of whom, save one child that died in infancy, are living and with their aged father mourn the death of their loved one.

In December, 1867, with her husband, Mrs. McGill moved to Omaha, where they lived until May, 1868, when they moved onto their homestead near New England, where they have since lived. The trip from Omaha was made to Cuming City by stage and thence to the new home by ox team and there they have lived happy and contented until the death of Mrs. McGill last Sunday.

The funeral services, conducted by Rev. Henderson of Craig, were held Wednesday at the Baptist church in Herman and were attended by many sympathizing friends who desired to pay their last respects to one whom they loved and cherished. Interment was made in the Herman cemetery. Members of the A.O.U.W., of which her sons are members, were active pallbearers and old soldier friends of the bereaved husband were honorary pallbearers.

Mrs. McGill leaves to mourn her death a loving husband and eight children, Arthur, Lottie Longwell of Bancroft, Jennie Schenck of Dixon, Herman of Tekamah, Della Spiker of Newcastle, William, Alfred and Mabel at home, along with one sister, Mrs. Alice James of Seymour, Wis., and an only brother, James Cranshaw of Detroit, Michigan; also twenty-eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild, all of whom have the sincere and heartfelt sympathy of an entire community in their hour of bereavement.

Pilot 11 Feb 1914

An Old Settle Gone. (The following obituary notice appeared in The Herman Record of Jan. 29th, and is reprinted here with a few corrections, by request of Mr. McGill.

“An invalid for the past four years and during that time suffering with a patience and fortitude such as is shown by but few, a suffering with no complaint or lament even to the end, Mrs. H. H. McGill, for forty-five years a resident of the county on the old homestead at New England, loved and respected alike by old and young, passed away on Sunday evening, Jan. 18, at 7 o’clock, at the advanced age of 69 years, 2 months and 13 days.

“Mrs. McGill was indeed an old settler in this community and is rightfully numbered among those pioneer wives and mothers who, side by side with their husbands, braved the wilds of the then unknown west, broke out and tilled the virgin prairies until we today know no east, no west, but through their efforts are living in a “Garden of Eden”, the existence of which is due wholly to the pioneers of the early day and among whom Mrs. McGill was numbered.

Sarah Jane Cranshaw was born in the state of Massachusetts in the year 1844, on Nov. 5th. Later in life she went to Wisconsin, where on Feb. 9, 1865, she united in marriage with H. H. McGill and the union was blessed with nine children, all of whom, save one child that died in infancy, are living, and with their aged father mourn the death of their loved one.

“In December, 1867, with her husband, Mrs. McGill moved to Omaha, where they lived until May, 1868, when they moved onto their homestead near New England, where they have since lived. The trip from Omaha was made to Cuming City by stage and thence to the new home by ox team and there they have lived happy and contented until the death of Mrs. McGill last Sunday.

“The funeral services, conducted by Rev. Henderson of Craig, were held Wednesday at the Baptist church in Herman and were attended by many sympathizing friends who desired to pay their last respects to one whom they loved and cherished. Interment was made in the Herman cemetery. Members of the A.O.U.W., of which her sons are members, were active pallbearers and old soldier friends of the bereaved husband were honorary pall bearers.

“Mrs. McGill leaves to mourn her death a loving husband and eight children, Arthur, Lottie Longwell of Bancroft, Jennie Schenck of Dixon, Herman of Tekamah, Della Spiker of Newcastle, William, Alfred and Mabel at home, along with one sister, Mrs. Alice James of Seymour, Wis., and an only brother, James Cranshaw of Detroit, Mich., all of whom have the sincere and heartfelt sympathy of an entire community in their hour of bereavement. She also leaves 38 grand-children and one great grand-child.

CARD OF THANKS

“To those of our many friends and neighbors who so kindly assisted us during the long illness and recent death of our beloved wife and mother, and to those who placed the beautiful floral tributes on her casket, we desire to extend our heartfelt thanks.”

H. H. McGill and Children

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