The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-01-13
In MemOriam.

Mary A. Hartshorn died at her home in
Emmetsburgh, Iowa, at nine o'clock Satur-
day evening" December 26, 1885. She had
been in better than her usual health for the
past six months, and on Christmas eve had
taken part in arranging Christmas tree at
the church and had engaged in the festivi-
ties of the occasion. The next day she en-
joyed Christmas with her family in her own
home and later in the day had dined out
with her husband and children. On Christ
mas night, while walking to an entertain
ment at the hall, she was stricken down in
the street and never spoke again, although
she continued to breathe for over twenty
four hours, and a portion of the time was
able to recognize her friends. She was the
daughter of Charles G.. and Susan S. East
man of Montpelier (the former of whom died
in 1860 and the latter still survives), and was
born February Is, 1S49. On January "a,
1872, she married Captain f.. j. Hartshorn
and at once went to his western home, EN-
metsburgh Iowa, where she resided until
her death.
This, in brief, is the story of the outer life
of the deceased and we might stop here; but
we should fail to do even partial justice to a
departed friend. At the age of eleven years
she lost her father, to whom her young life
seemed inseparably bound and strongly
welded, and it is no wonder that the man
who had so many very close friends among
his acquaintances should have been so loved
by his own and only daughter, nor that his
taking away SHOulu nave ltIU very great
void in her young heart. She had scarcely
| recovered from the effect of her fathers
death when one of her brothers, on whom
she had turned the full strength of her
youthful love, was attacked by most dis
tressing disease, which followed him for
years and at length ended his life. The pa
tient kindly, delicate care and attention
which poor Johnny received at the hands
of Sister Mary during the most trying years
of his singularly painful life can only be
known to those who were members of, or
very intimate with, the family The won
derful reliance which the brother placed on
the sister, the pathetic manner in which her
gentlest word or lightest touch soothed and
quieted him when nothing else would,
showed the great power of her gentle love.
And so dear had they become to each other
that when, after much suffering, life went
out, the loss to her was very great indeed.
1t is no wonder that her quiet, modest,
lady-like ways, her true womanliness, should
have touched and won the heart of so dis
eliminating and just a man as Captain
Hartshorn, who was a member of the family
for some months during 1866 and who then
formed her acquaintance. Then came her
marriage and removal to Iowa. They set
tied at Emmetsburgh and grew up with
that thrifty western town. But her new
life was not to be without its sorrows Chill
dren were born unto them-two daughters
and two sons. One little daughter they
were only allowed to keep a short time, when
death came and took her away Next her
only remaining brother, "Ned."-almost
grown up into promising young manhood,
the stay and prop of his widowed mother
was taken. Then, few years ago, when
her oldest child-the sweet, CHEEKY, bright
lovely and loving Susie-gentle, motherly
and helpful, on whom the mother had al
ready learned to lean with so much trust
was called away, it did seem as though life
was too hard to bear. One after another her
best beloved ones had been taken from her.
1t is not possible within the limits of an
article like this to notice all ones good
qualities. Mrs. Hartshorn had very many
She was very delicately and sensitively
made up, mentally and physically, and for
that reason people who themselves lacked
the finer fibres that 90 into the makeup of
every true man and woman failed to under
stand and appreciate her at her real worth
This was sometimes source of grief to her,
but when one once learned her and fully
understood her his heart was won and from
| thenceforth she could surely reckon one
more true friend. She always felt that her
most intimate friends kneio her, and, above
all, her Savior, upon whom she leaned with
| implicit trust lnstnctively her friends
were drawn closer and closer to her. She
was of that analytic cast of mind which at
| sight detects the false from the genuine-so
with her, in choosing her friends, it was
! never a question of best wearing apparel
but of true manhood and womanhood
" one touch OF nature makes the whole
world kin" She was pre-eminently domes-
| tic and her first duty was in her own home,
to her husband and children, but she neg
lected no opportunity there are many
| lying along ife's path-to influence for good
! those outside her own family, and the be-
! nign influence of her virtues was felt by all
who came within the scope of her acquaint-
ance and blossomed like flowers of sun
shine all about.
A loving wife and devoted mother be-
| yond her household cares she yet found
time and strength for much and faithful
work in church and Sunday-school. Pos
sessed of a great admiration and love for
children, she never failed to draw the little