The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-21
Obituary
MRS. VI. II. SWIFT


MRS VI. II. SWIFT.
Our people were greatly surprised and sad.
dened 10y the news, on Thursday evening, Of the
sudden death of SUSAN w, wife Of the Hon.
MILTON II. SWIFT, at the family home in this
city. Mrs. 5. had been in the enjoyment OF her
usual excellent health all day, and in the eve
nipg had got ready, WITH other members Of the
family, to attend the Naiad Queen entertainment
at the Opera House. About S O'Clock, while all
were ready and waiting for the carriage, she
suddenly fclta difficulty of breathng-an attack
to which she had been subject TO for some years
at long intervals, arising, as physicians had told
her, from indigestion, and which gentle slim
ulant usually relieved in few minutes. She
remarked that she was having one Of her old at
tacks, and the usual remedy was al once admin.
istcred But while she said she felt better Mr.
Swift feeling her pulse and finding ii abnormally
active and inclined TO futter, felt uneasy and
sent for DR.. Macarthur, though she declared it
was useless. Meantime she had been placed in
an easy chair, and her hands growing cold and
clammy, Mr.. s. commenced gently chatisg
them, though barely noticing any change in her
Icountcnance, or that she was becoming speech.
less. In ten or fifteen minutes the doctor arriv-
ed, and it Is needless to say looked grave for he
saw at glance the marks on her countenancc
of the grim destroyer and in not over ten min
utes more she had quietly painlessly as if fall
ing into sweet Sleep passed into the land be-
yond. From the first indication of the attack to
the end was not over twenty-five or thirty min.
utes.
Mrs. Swift was born in Baltimore, Md, III 1914,
the daughter Of George Miles, merchant there.
The family were originally from England and
had settled in Boston, George, one of The sons,
having moved to Baltimore, another brother TO
Calao, and Others elsewhere. The parents of
Mrs. Swift had died when she was still young
leaving four daughters, who afterwards came
to Illinois, one Of them marrying the
Hon. f. s. Leland, and now living with her hus
band in Ottawa; and Susan w, the subject of
this notice, in lS41 in Ottawa, becoming the wife
of the Hon. Milton II. Swift.
MIS-. Swift, during the thirty five years or more
of her residence in Ottawa, had ever held q
prominent place in our local society, of which
no member was held in higher estimation From
her childhood up member Of the Episcopal
church, few have sustained through life more
consistent fidelity to that sacred relation. Ever
taking deep interest and an active hand in all
church enterprises-in its works of devotion,
charity, Sunday school or missionary labor, she
was in the best sense a model church as well al
Christian woman. Being in comfortable circum-
stances, her charities were no less freely than
judicously bestowed. 4 lady Of intelligence and
culture, she was amlable atlable, sociable, fond
of society, entertaining freely as she accepted
it from others, with kind and pleasant word
for lin a word, one of those good souls in
whom one sees-alas that it should DC so rarely
the fullness Of those graces that come Of care.
full Christian training from youth up and life.
long obedience to the saying preccpts Of her
profession and faith.
Mrs, l.. B. DeanO, wife Of the late l.. Is. Della
no, one Of the old settlers Of Ottawa, died sud
denly at the old homestead in Ottawa Centre,
early On Monday last. She was born in Ogdcns-
burg, Y. Y, June 10, 1872, and came with her
husband to Ottawa in 1881, where she has since
lived. She was married in 1880 and was the
mother Of five children, one OF whom, son, died
here in 1891. The others, two sons and two
daughters, are now living, respected citizens Of
this city. She died honored and respected by all
who knew her, and beloved by many old friends.
On Tuesday evening, after an illness Of some
months, Mr.. 5. 2. Couch died at his home on
the west side Of consumption. lie was 81 years
old. Mr.. Couch was a native OF Connecticut,
learned his trade, harness making, in Ohio, and
became citizen OF Ottawa some 20 years ago. |
He was a man universally respected as a citizen
and business man; and during his ~ years Of
business made host Of friends in this city and
county who have and VIII hear Of his death with
deep regret. He leaves wife and two daugh- /
tiers, the elder of whom is the wife Of ". Nc. +
Mullen, who are provided for.
Geo IIinllcy, young man Of q! pr p years Of
age, who made enc Of the la sale coSuty colony
in Minnesota, having gone north with Rev Mr. /
Nash, died in this city on Monday Of typhoid I
pneumonia, having been brought home lick from I
Tintah. He was buried at Prairie Centre.