The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-04-21
Obituary Of Mrs. Lila E. Morris.

Obituary Of Mrs. Lila 3. Morris.
/ The subject Of this brief life.sketch was
born in Rayenna, O., May 18th, 1887, the
only child Of Fitch K. and Lucy Collins.
At the age of five years motherless, and a
| year later her father dying also She was
received into the family of Mr.. .. H Grif.
| fin. where she was ever after regarded as
La daughter and sister, and towards
whom she always mani
ifested the strongest attach
ment. Inheriting frail constitution,
many years were given to seeking eli
mate favorable to health, but whether
! east, the far west, or north, her mind was
ever turning towards "hOme," and when
the shoIk from the sudden death of her
| husband brought nearer her already near
approach to LIES end the old love assert
ed itself stronger than ever, and support
1 ed by an indOmitable will enabled her to
reach that home to greet and then bid
farewell those she loved SO WE'LL To re-
call and record something Of her life is
truly labor of love- for it is rich in mem
cries of work and example of earnest
words and inspirations, such as can only
proceed from a strong and positive nature.
TO but few is it given, even unhampered
by disease, 10 crowd into f0rty-two years
the work and experiences, that have SO
told for good upon the lives of others, as
she might have looked back upon when
she was called to Ego up higher But
we doubt if she at all realized the good
~ 90 l,oI ,,1sShoA ar bS,t,
ton for the highest and best in the arts
she loved, it had developed in those who
were about her, A born enthusiast and
possessed by the very spirit of work she
had no time to look backward. It was
continual reaching forward to accomplish
plans long lifetime could hardly COM
pass.
Several years of her early womanhood
were spent in Hartford, Conn, receiving
there superior musical education at the
hands of the late Henry Wilson's name
we'll known to musicians. Returning to
Ravenna she here taught for several
years. She carried into her teaching
great enthusiasm and labored necessarily
to inspire in her SCHOLARS a love for only
the highest and best in that art. The re-
suits Of Impressions then made are yet
felt though the source may he nearly for
gotten. Failing health compelled her to
relinquish her labors here, ard for a time
she devoted herself TO health improve
ment. Restored in great measure to usual
strength she was married JAN 8, 1867, to
Mr.. s. J. Morris of Harmony, ILL.,. a gem
tleman of fine culture and spirit anu in
sympathy with the pursuits she loved
most. About this time she accidentally
discovered new gift, genuine genius
for painting, and in five years, though
hampered by the domestic duties of farm
and town NE, lack OF early trainapg and
seasons of sickness, the amount of work
in that direction accomplished seems in
credible, and every canvass she touched
gave evidence of true inspiration, telling
equally of what might have been accom-
pushed had she commenced in early life
and OF the future, if granted health and
strength. But that future was denied
| Both husband and wife found ill health
their share, and started for California.
| The haruships there encountered were
great and many. In three years they re-
turned, going 70 Princeton, Mimi, where
Mr.. Morris took the principalship of the
! public schools and there dying at his post
| the 18th Of Dec. last. Both had felt the
shadow of death upon them and had only
found comfort in the thought of an early
meeting in the better world, and that hope
[ has been realized we believe. The relig-
ious experiences of the husband were pro-
found, his faith simple and strong, great
| support to a wife whose nature, while nat
urally religious, could hardly accept the
dogmatisms Of the schools as ultimate
truth. Her head, not her heart, was skep-
| teal. Though member and active
worker in the NJ. E. church for many
wears, she never succeeded in overcoming
her doubts, early conceived, until at the
death of her husband the veil was lifted
and all seemed clear. "rhe mantle OF
faith fell from his shoulders upon me-"
was her testimony. She lived to fully ar.
range all things as she wished, dislribut-
ing many precious mementos of her life
to those she loved so we'll, and sending
back to her S. S. class of young ladies
words of thoughtful interest The night
of the 18th of March she fell asleep sur
rounded by those who had ministered
round the dying bed Of her parents
over thirty-tive years ago-an unusual &C
culence. 1t was a very tired and worn
! body loving hands carried to its resting
place. Though the sense of loss is keenly
felt, comfort is gathered from the thought
that our loved one, after SO many years of
wandering, pain and unrest, had at last
her great wish granted ,>her earnest prayer
answered-she died at ''home. "-Ravenna
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