The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1891-06-11
ABEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE.
Mrs. John L. Coughenour.


beautiful obituary of Mrs. John l.
Coughenour
Sylvia A. Balsbaugh was born in
LjghtsvIlle. Ogle Co, ,IlIinoI>. August
9th, 1868, and died in Forre>tou.
Illinois, Tuesday, May Goth, 1891,
aged ?. years, months and Il days.
1t Is always sad duty for us to
record the death Of any one, and
more particularly the untlmely TAX
ing away Of those young folks whom
we have known from chlllhoods
happy hour. In the present instance
we have known the young lady
since she was a child of six years,
and have only pleasant Iecollectlons
of the ASSOCIATION and her life work.
We knew her when she was bright
little school girl learning the alpha
bet; we knew her later as a more
mature schoo! girl, unusually bright
in all her studies; aud later still we
knew her as a teacher III the cOun-
try schools, aud afterward as an
instructor in the FOrreston Public
School, where she had commenced
and flushed her education: In this
latter capacity is where we heard
the most about her. Her name was
a familiar one in every household,
more especially where there were
young children who were directly
under her charge the greater part
of the day. Her natural kindness
OF heart and consideration of the
likes and dislikes of the little ones
under her charge, completely won
their hearts, and to them there was
no one like "Niss Balsbaugh." 1t
was during the two years extending
from 1884 to 1886 that she was
employed in the public school, and
when she withdrew it was an Occa,
sion of sorrow to the little folks
over whom she had presided with
such overwhelming kindness. Not
only in the school room was she
loved, not only were these little
children her friends, but she was a
favorite throughout the community
in social way, and none could
speak i'll of her and speak the truth.
At the age Of % years she was
united ia marriage at her home IN
Forreston, on June 165h, 1886, with
Mr.. John l.. COughenour. The
happy young couple left at once for
Mr.. C's home iii Pennsylvania, and
for two years they were residents
of Ohio Pyle, in that state, wGen
they removed to Scotland Neck,
| Halifax Co, North Carolina. Here
her health tegan to fail, and it was
plain that she was victim to that
| fatal disease consumption. She
grew worse as time wore OD, until IN
April, 1890, ber mother, Nj s, Or. G.
5. Balsbaugh of this place, went to
North Carolina and brought her
| home. where she has been ever
since. a constant care to her loving
family. Her life has hung sus
pended on thread, as it were, fOI
more than year, until finally Death
cut asunder the trall cord, and she
was cold in his embrace, a mere
shadow Of the former handsome:
ylvaclous girl of a lew years ago
On account OF distance and inability
TO reach him by wire and bad rail
road connection tie heartbrOke
husband did not arrive unit
Wednesday ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
hours after her death. Under more
favorable circumstances he cOait
easily have reached here day ear
Iier. The funeral took place yester
day friday afternoon at the NJ, +
church, of which she was |orth b,
member. the services being con
Quoted by the pastor, Rev. G. A
Erving, and her remains were lal'
in the final earthly resting place a
White Oak Cemetery, followed
thither BY large number OF rela
tlves and loving friends. He ar
informed that she was thorough.
prepared for death spiritually, an
dreaded the embrace OF the lc
hand only OH account of the lltfl
son who came about three years AZ
to add further JOY to her life. |
was her mothers love and ambitIO
: to see him grow up IN the nurtuT
, and aumonit.On of his Maker, hu
e she had to leave him and trust
e Others the proper shaping OF n
! future course IN life. May be
hopes in bis behalf be accompllshe