Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-03-24
MRS. LAURA CHRISTIE.

"
Another Pioneer Gone-some Interesting
Early "Reminiscences of Pioneer Life In
Onto.
To outline life of three-quarters OF a
century is not easily done in a paragraph.
Mrs, Laura, wife of the late James s.
Christie, who ''fell asleep" March 2a, 1888,
was s4 years, months and IL days old at
her death. The larger part of this long
life was lived in Springfield. She was
probably the Oldest pioneer resident of this
city, il not of Clark county. Born in Della
ware county, New Jersey, June Ii, 1903,
she moved with her parents to Ohio, near
Delaware, a short time before the second
war with England was declared.
After a few months, her parents, Elijah
and Sarah Beardsley, with their children,
moved to Urbana, then the seat of justice
the close of the war of 1912, In which her
two brothers were soldiers, as was her
father in the revolutionary war land in the
guise of an Indian helped to throw tea
overheard in Boston harbor) the family
moved TO Springfield, o., then village of
about 800 inhabitants, with no paved streets
or sidewalks, and not more than two brick
houses, the majority log cabins, but
surrounded with many attractions in
the wild, natural scenery. As
rare bit of history which
the committee Of our approaching Ohio
centenary would appreciate the following
extract from letter written by herself to
a friend in 1884. when she was eighty years
of age, touching their former life near Del
aware, o., in 1911, is interesting: ave
stopped with my fathers brother from
September till April. We found them in a
log cabin twenty feet square, with a split
log floor, fiat side up, and loft above
reached by means of pins or pegs driven
in the wall or logs. Here fourteen of US
lived all winter, surrounded with wolves,
panthers, coons, ''possums,' deer, wild
turkeys and wild nags." The letter from
which the above extract Is made, describes
graphically subsequent improvements in
log-cabin and pioneer life; tells of the
.outside chimneys built OF sticks" +"
and of the large fre-places ''clear across
one end of the house," Of how her father
used to blindfold the horse and haul in
huge "back-logs" for tie fireplace; of how
every night he prepared for war with the
Indians, by filling large tubs with water in
case they fire the cabin, and by supplying
each of us with weapons of war, such as
shovels, pItchforks, axes, guns and pistols. !"
February %, 1924, she married Mr.. james
S. Christie, who was 'another pioneer, "
having came to Springfield with his fathers
family in 1917. Their married life was
long and happy-their golden wedding
was celebrated In February, 1874
ten years before Mr.. Christie's death,
making their married life over sixty years.
OF their eleven children. two sons, Edward
p, of this city, and Harlan p, Of Brook
lyn, n. Y. and one daughter. Mrs. Mary c.
Clark, of this city, are living.
Mrs. Christie united with the First Pres
byterian church of this city August 26th,
1926, under its first regular pastor, Rev.
Franklin Putnam, and continued consis-
tent, faithful, growing and beloved member
of the same church and congregation until
her death-a period Of 90 years-the long
est membership on the records of this
church.
Her church-life. though quiet, was not a
negative one. She loved the house of God
and was regular in attendance, and active
in church work. She loved the
prayer meeting and was almost the
last of that noble band of Christian women
who organized and maintained for years in
our city the maternal Association, /" whose
influences are still felt in the church and
community. Her last few years, and espe-
cially since her husbands death, were spent
quietly and with sweet patience, without
suffering, in the family of her son, Edward
r. She ripened in the Christian graces,
from day to day, until the Master took her.
Her
Calm old age
Waiting its summons to the sky,
Content to live, but not afraid to die"
Always cheerful and thoughtful of 9th.
ers, none knew her but to love her." Full
of faith and good works, with not doub
to cloud her mind, she simply said, Good
by; I'm going home, I" and feel asleep.