Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-04-03


ADDRESS MADE AT THE FUNERAL
BY REV. NJ. C. WIRE.
Mrs. w. ii. Odell was born Dec
%, 1916, in Kenebec county, Maine
and died In Portland, Or, Marcl
81, 1890, at about seven O'Clock II
the evening.
Her maiden name was Elizabeth
+. McLench. In 1874 she was mar
ried To Sam'l II. Thurston. They
moved to Iowa IN 1916, living IN
/ Burlington one year, and then came
across the plains to Oregon in 1S47
They lived in Oregon City until Mr..
Thurston was elected delegate "a
congress. She remained i'm Oregon
during her husbands absence on
bis important work. It required nc
small heroism on her part to stay
alone In a new country, with small
children to care for, when she might
accompany her husband and so find
with him IN the capitol Of the nation
the comforts and culture Of an ad.
vanced civilization. But they had
come to Oregon as pioneers, to adj
vance by their own toll and sacrifice
the interests Of their newly adopted
country. II was thought that these
interests could better be served by
her remaining here, so pleasure gave
place TO duty and she remained.
Her husband died in 1851, while on
his way home from Washir gtor.
In 1853 she was made preceptress
in Willamette university, Il position
which she held two years. TO this
educational work she brought un-
usual ability both natural and ac-
quired. In her early life she had
made excellent use of time and OPP
porlunity in acquiring an education
and was thoroughly trained in
one of the best seminaries of the
day. She not only mastered the
common or english branches but al
SO became proficient in Latin, Ital-
ian, French and Spanish. This cult
ure, together with strong person.
allty, "A deep and thoughtful inter.
est In those around her, and a noble
character, made her pOpu-
lar and efficient as teacher of
youth. Many Of her students of
years ago, how living, acknowledge
her hand in the moulding of their
character and the shaping Of their
life work.
In 1855 she was married to w. II.
Odell by President Hoyt. They
lived on farm In Yamhil county
four years and then removed to
Lebanon to take charge Of Santiam
academy where they remained three
years. After this, one year was
spent in the public school In AL
bany.
In 1864 they moved to Eugene.
Mr.. Odell was at this time engaged
IN civil engl neerng and was neces-
sarily much fiom home. Again the
asserted itself and to be-
guile the hours she opened II private
school.
They moved to Salem in 1877. In
the spring Of 1873 she had the
measles, which did not yield readily
TO treatment and left her lungs In
still she regained her
health Tor the most part and was
hirly well until seven years ago
when she had severe attact of ty-
)hoid pneumonia which brought
ler to the very margin of the river
and her friends feared that the
crossing was near. Her strong CON
'tltution carried her through the
crisis, but she never fully recovered.
Nearly one year ago she went to
Portland, Or, TO live with her
Mrs. Stowell. Here she
'eceived all the attention that low
ing hands could render and medical
'klll afford. But the silver cord was
oosening. During the last year
he was n great sufferer. Pa nfully,
tep by step, she ugain went down
to the rivers brink and this time
he steps might not bc retraced.
}, the mystery of suffering! IL IL
hidden deep In the work and mis-
ion Of Him who was made perfect
through suffering,
Speak TO these curious hearts of
ours,
And teach them to be still.
iod hath his mysteries of grace,
Ways which We cannot tell,
And he hides them deep In the sac.
red sleep
OF her he loved 80 we'll"
Patiently aud cheerfully she en-
ured the extreme pain of the last
lonths. Her husband was almost
at her side and her
aughter and other friends near at
and to minister to every want and
Ileviate pain rs far as possible, but
le received help aud strength from
higher source. Much Of the time
ne spent In conservation and prayer.