This post was contributed to the Crawford County Chapter of OGS by Kristina Stearley as part of the Florence Siefert Scrapbook in 2010.
The scrapbook is compiled from undated, unidentified newspaper clippings involving events in the lives of Crawford County citizens living in or having connections to New Washington, Tiro, Shelby, Sulphur Springs, Chatfield, Bucyrus, Ashland, Mansfield, and other areas. Only minimal spelling or punctuation corrections were made. Unreadable areas are shown by underlines, dots &/or question marks. This collection has been scanned, “optical character recognized” (OCR’d), proofed, then coded for HTML by volunteers of the Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Since the copies are not of the best quality errors may have been made. Please contact us if you find corrections needing to be made or can verify any missing dates which could be added.
Margaret Stewart was born Sept. 24, 1823 in Richland county, Ohio. Was married to John Mahon Sept. 1, 1842. Lived in Ricland county till March 24, 1853 at which time they moved to immediate vicinity and have remained here ever since. In the spring of 1883 her husband died and left her a widow. A few weeks ago she was prostrated and on the morn of December 2, the Lord saw fit to call her from her sufferings here and she passed away making her 70 yr., 2 mo., and 8 da., old. She joined church in her early life and was a member for over 50 years; and died in the triumph of the Christian faith. Six children–three sons and three daughters–remain to mourn the loss of a loving mother. Funeral services were held from Goodwill church Sunday, Dec. 3, conducted by Rev. W. H. Painter, of Pavonia. A large concourse of people was present to witness the last sad rites of the deceased:
Dear mother has crossed o’er the river,
Has gone with the angels of light,
Yes, gone to that bright land of sunshine
Where day never changes to night.
Old winter with snow-covered mantel,
North winds with their ice-freighted breath,
Hot summers no more can distress her,
No more feel the chill hand of death.
This suffering now is all over,
Her body no more will pain:
She’s resting in peace O! so sweetly;
Surely death to dear mother is gain.
Dear friends, could you see her in heaven
So thankful she is that she’s there
You’d shed not one tear at her going
But long her rejoicing to share.
I know that you sadly do miss her,
Your home seemeth empty and sad.
You’ll listen in vain for her footsteps
And voice, that would make you all glad.
But remember, dear friends, O remember
‘Tis sweeter to die than to live
When hours and moments are anguish
Pain comes with each breath we receive,
It robs life of all of its pleasures,
It tears, from our pathway, the flow’rs,
It dims the bright sunbeams around
When suffering only, is ours.
We’re traveling the self-same direction
Soon life with us all will be o’er,
Then ‘Glory to God in the Highest,’
We’ll meet on that beautiful Shore.’
