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.
Whitcum–Died, of apoplexy on Sunday evening, June 17, 1888, at her home, Mrs. Mary Whictum, aged 75 yrs., 10 mo., 17 days. The deceased was born July 30, 1812 and was a native of Pennsylvania. Mary (Drorbaugh) Whictum was married to Jno Whicum in 1833, which union was blessed with an issue of ten children five of whom preceded their parents to the spirit world.
After moving from Cumberland county, Pa., Mr. and Mrs. Whitcum resided at Millbrook, Wayne county one year, thence moved to Perrysville, Ashland county where they resided for six years. After residing for a number of years at Hayesville, and in the vicinity of Ashland they moved to Crawford County where they have since resided with the exception of nearly two years during which time they resided in Montana.
Mrs Whitcum suffered the loss of her husband in October of 1887 (Note: 6 written over the 7) but she bore the sore affliction in a truly Christian manner and has since resided with her daughter, Mrs. C. C. Siefert. She was a noble woman in more ways then one; A kind disposition, a good will and earnest desire to do right are some of the qualities deceased possessed and which endeared her to all who knew her.
Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. Williams. During the funeral services, a handsome floral wreath, presented by Mrs. Samuel Hamilton, adorned the casket containing the remains of the deceased. After the services the remains were taken to the Goodwill cemetery for internment, there to await the final summons of the Lord of All whom she so confidingly trusted while among us.
“Why should our tears in sorrow flow
When God recalls his own,
And bids them leave a world of woe
For an immortal crown?
Is not e’en death again to those
Whose life to God was given?
Gladly to earth their eyes they close
To open them in heaven.
Their toils are past, their work is done,
And they are fully blest!
They fought the fight, the victory won
And entered into rest.
Then let our sorrows cease to flow–
God has recalled His own;
But let our hearts, in every woe,
Still say Thy will be done.”
LATER: In the obituary of Mrs. Mary Whitcum we failed to mention with what church she was connected. In 1854 she united with what is known as the Tunker church and has been a faithful member of that organization from that time until her decease.
