The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-04-02
EIecta j. Todd.

lnONSu " tOlI3 llOLu "h'Sh plaSO ohC
went to Rushville, Ind at the age of twenty. {
where she engaged in teaching school for four
years.
November 9th. 1862 she was married to L. G.
Todd, of Nelson, with whom she commenced
housekeeping the old Wright farm in the ;
northwestern part of that township, which her
husband had previously purchased and for
twenty years continued to reside on the old
homestead. Here three children were born to
them-Melvin B., now a medical student in
Cleveland. and Jennie L., now a young lady of
IS years. The other child died in infancy. She
is also survived by her husband. one brother
and three sisters.
Seven years ago Mr. and Mrs. Todd moved to
Garret'sville. where they resided continuously
up to Ger decease. Her death was caused by
canoe us tumor. which first began to manifest
itself ldsi August 1t was not thought at the
time that any serious consequences would en-
sue from the formation, and so little apprehen-
sive was she of any danger from its presence
that for some weeks she refrained from even
mentioning the subject to her family, and when |
by reason of its gradual enlargement, she final |
ly did so, deemed it unnecessary to procure |
medical treatment. Apparently. her absence of |
fear was justified by her condition. for the ma
lignant growth evidenced by no external sign |
its real character and gave her little no pain
She continued in this condition until the Win
| fer season was well advanced, when she was
Frustrated by severe attack of La Grippe, |
| which. with appalling rapid;ty, spread the
dresdful disease over her entire system. quickly
| rendering her a helpless sufferer, unable to
stand recline. and for six weeks she sat in an
| invalid chair, racked with perpetual pain and
| agony, An eminent physician from Cleveland
was summoned and it needed but one glance of
| 60, h fIan rIN
fatal termination of her malady. and her family
| impaired these sad words that bereft her of the
last. lingering hope of recovery. She heard the
| announcement with composure and calmly di-
rected her mind to arranging her worldly affairs
preparatory to that final sleep that should for
ever close her eyes TO earthly scenes. No phan
tom of fear or baneful timidity agitated her in
the waning moment is of lies latest hours, and
she died as she had lived-a firm believer and
eXemplifier of the faith grounded in the true
philosophy that invites Investigation of Ma
| ture's works, directs its followers to realiza
ton of the highest mental and moral attain
ments and rejects the hydra headed forms of
superstition that ascribe natural results 10
supernatural causes. In her last moments she
demonstrated her constancy, and displayed
those sublime qualities that elevated her living
to such noble heights. Being interrogated con-
| corning the preparation deemed indispensable
| by a considerable portion of the world to avoid
the doom of eternal separation from God, and
being asked if she did not then, with eternity
| so near entertain different g.ews concerning
spiritual matters she replied that the same
| philosophy that had sustain ed her during every
experience of busy life. then upheld her in
the hour of death. when all disguises and dis
simulations were unavailihg. Death had no
terror for her, for the consciousness of an
earnest effort to lead life of rectitude and to
so conform her living to the principles of right
| and justice as to wrong no human being, were
hers. good life was the best recommend to
happiness, present or future, and she was not
afraid to trust her record, for her integrity of
purpose would appear, whatever DEFICIENCIES
there might be. She did not know that a future
awaited her, but should die in the confident ex-
| pectation of one, and should it prove a reality
| she would not fear it. for she believed that tue
| ultimate purpose of human existence was hap
| piness and perfection. and the souls future,
| should there be one, wo I'D but continue the
work
Mrs Todd was a woman Of exceptional worth
and goodness. Possessing a sweet amiable
| disposition, her home life was constan bless
| ing to husband, son and daughter whose COM
| fort and happiness Were ever her anxious
solicitude, and none but they can fully appre-
| ciate her goodness in the sa cred circle of home
| She WIS cheerful, contented. always prefering
! to interpret every event or experience in the
| light of those views which recognize some good
| in all the vcissitudes of human affairs. He
goodness In the home circle followed in all her
ways of life radiating its kindly light on all
who were fortunate enough to be numbered
| among her friends or acquaintances. Her
| whole life glowed with the sunshine of good
deeds. 1t was her deli ght to comfort the sorrow
| burdened, help the faiuthearted and administer
| to the wants of the needy. Her creed was to do
| right and do good, and seldom nre its require
ments lived up to as faithfully as in the case of
| this most estimabie woman. Her just and
| equitable conception of duty forbade every
| form of temporizing maxim. Policy PLAYED no
part in her actions. but in them all appeared
| the subimity of one who was doing right for
| rights sake. and who neither courted the praise
| nor feared the criticism of the world while ad-
dressing herself to the fufillment OF lite's mis-
| sion. Her conception of natural piety attached
| Itself to her widsr range of moral duty, gather
ed from familiar acquaintance with the lives
and teachings of the best characters of history,
| and she lived in the constant practice of those
virtues that form the essence of every life
goodness and loving devotion to humanity's
cause. Her mental endowments were in keep
| ing with the superior qualities of her moral.
To mind of great natural ability she added
the finish of culture and the depths Of research
She was an ardent lover of the fine arts finding
tine amid her multiplied domestic response
bilities to add to her accomplishments the ones
of music and painting, the latter of which par
| ticularly received her attention OF late years,
and the many finely executed subjects in oil
that adorn the walls of the home, saddered by
her loss, bear ample testimony to her artist
| genius.
| She was an exemplary woman and valued
member of society, and living. enjoyed the con-
| fdence, good will and esteem of all who knew
| her, and her memory is fraught with the prec-
| ious recollection of that goodness and benev-
| olence which illumin ated her being. forming so
rich inheritance to those who survive her
and her many friends may well join with her
| bereaved family and kindred in sorrowing for
one Of so highly exalted character.
| Her funeral was held the following Friday
| from the house, Rev. Andrew Wilson of this
city, officiating, after which the remains were
placed in the vault at Garrettsville cemetery,
preparatory to intelment in the family lot in
Nelson.
| Richard J. Thompson died at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. George L. Hall. of Cleveland, on
Friday morning. March. 90, 1896. of general de-
| bility.
January l3, 1909, and came with his parents to
| Portage county when only years of age,
and for over rs years lived on the Old thompson
homestead near campbellsport. The past two
years he has made his home with his laughter in
Cleveland. The house into which the family
moved. stands today, unchanged, except by an
| addition built by Mr., THOMPSON In this house
was held the ffs: session Cf the Gou.t of Common
Pleas of Portage county.
Mr.. Thompson at one time identified himself
with the Congregational Church, this city, after
ward Withdrawing his name from the roll, but
continuing regular attendant as long as he lived
here He was industrious in his habits, and very
thorough in his work A man @ positive convic-
tions, he endeavored to conform his views to the
advanced thought of the age, His long residence
here secured him large circle of acquaintanees'
by whom his familiar face will be sadly missed
Of the family of his father. Isaac Th~ mpson,
who died in 1869. there is now but one survivor.
Rev. 0. C. Thompson. of Detroit Mich. Three |
other brothers. Harry Charles and Robert, and |
three sisters. the late Mrs. Isaac Swift Mrs Mary