The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-09
Michigan.
A Busy and Useful Life Closed.
Mrs. s. e. v. Emery of Lansing.

some years superintendent OIL our Oun-
day school, died at an early hour Thurs
day morning, October TO- About year
ago she became afflicted with malig
nant cancerous growth, from which she
found no relief. Funeral services we're
held Saturday at her late residence. BY
request of deceased, Mrs. Doe, Mrs. Cole
and Mrs. Todd delivered addresses.
Mrs. Cole spoke of her as friend and
co-workar in the Church. Mrs. Todd
as fellow worker in the political field.
Mrs. Doe read letters from prominent
individuals and spoke Of her work for
Woman Suffrage. All paid beautiful
tributes to the worth and work Of the
deceased.
Monday the body was taken to the
Detroit Crematorium and the ashes laid
beside her parents at Phelps. 1t was
Mrs. Emery's desire that her body be
cremated. Sunday, October 20, Memoir
ial service was held in the Universalist
Church, conducted by the pastor, Rev.
Charles Legal.
Sarah Elisabeth Van Der Wort, was
born at Phelps, Ontario county, May II,
1885, She was the daughter Of Thomas
and Ellen Van Der Wort and the seventh
of nine children. She was graduate of
Clinton Liberal Institute N. Y. She
married Wesley Emery in 1870.
The Chicago Express August p, 1887,
has this of her early life and conversion
to Universalism: "Her father who pos
sessed frank and generous nature,
was reared and we'll versed in the strict
est tenets of orthodoxy, but at an early
age he abandoned the faith of his ia
theirs and embraced the doctrines of Uni
versaism, at time when such belief,
was regarded little. il any, better than
rank infidelity, but his moral courage
and fidelity to conviction, enabled him
to bear the cross of public contumely
and the bitter reproach of his family.
The fathers liberal thong hit and gener-
GUS nature were largely inherited by the
daughter and as these characteristics
were developed, there grew up devoted
attachment, seldom equalled in filial re-
lation. "In my sympathy for the OPP
pressed" (she sadly "in my love for JUS
tice to my fellow-women. in my aversion
to the deeds of evildom, l see my fathers
spirit and the same benign influence
which inspired my childish heart, leads
me on today and strengthens my devo-
ton to the great cause of humanity"
Mrs. Emery was in many ways a most
remarkable woman. AS a political
speaker, author and editor she attained
an eminence such as few women have
attained. AS a speaker she had few
equals among the women of the day;
and no one was feared more by the old
party leaders.
OF her public career, the Lansing jour
nal says: "Few Michigan women sue
ceeded in attracting more attention or
took more active part in political and
social questions than Mrs. Emery, dur
ing the % years she resided here"
|
in many respects most remarkable wo
man, having within the last ten years
made a national reputation .
Mrs Emery was the author of THE
Seven Financial Conspiraeies' of which
nearly $4,000 copies were sold. This
book was used by the Populists as a
campaign document and it is conceded
by all that this book was responsible for
the Populist's victory in Kansas and
Colorado. She had another book I'm
perialism in America" of which 10000
copies have already been sold. She was
also the editor of the "Corner Stone" a
paper devoted to the interest of Woman
Suffrage and Temperance.
Always fearless champion of human
rights Mrs. Emery in no way failed in
her sympathy in the efforts of women
for representation in government. To
her mind women were class and as
such entitled to political rights. She
therefore. became a member of the
Michigan Equal Suffrage Association at
the time of its organization and gave
hearty endorsement in her special line
of work to the principles which this So
ciety seeks to establish.
Mrs Emery was an active member Of
the w. G. 7. U. and, at the time of her
death was National Superintendent of
the department of 1.-The Relation of
Temperance to Labor and Capital" She
believed that Temperance was closely
related to good government. She often
said, $50 long as drinking men are at
the head of national affairs, we must
have corrupt legislation"
Before me lies telegram from Fran
ces E. Willard; Mrs. Emery was one of
the ablest and best women | have ever
known" Many such letters and tele-
grams have been received from all parts
of our country.
Notwithstanding Mrs. Emery's busy
life, she never neglected her duty to
God and church. When at home she
was seldom absent from services. She
devoted time and substance for the sup
port of our church. Her especial delight
was teaching the young in the Sunday
| school Just a few months ago she