The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-10-15
REBECCA PONTIUS.
A LONG LIFE OF USEFULNESS rs
BROUGHT TO A CLOSE.
Probably the oldest Resident of Plain
Township-Brief History of the
Life of Woman of High Chris.
tian Character.

Life of Woman of High Chris.
tian Character.
Sunday, as the autumn sun was pass
ing the meridian, the soul of Mrs.
Rebeooa Pontius, perhaps the oldest resi-
dent Of Plain township, took its flight TO
the unknown realms above. As the final
hour approached, her family and inti-
mate friends gathered about the bedside
and with bowed heads and tear. filled
eyes, saw the last spark of life leave the
withered frame that for over ninety years
withstood the trials and tribulations
of this troublesome world. Mrs Pontius
had probably lived In Stark county longer
than any person now living. From the
primeval forests and untitled soil she saw
reared the splendid cities now within It's
borders and the broad, fertile fields filled
with golden grain that surround them.
She was born in Cumberland county,
Pa, May z, 1906, and was therefore over
30 years of age at the time of her demise
Che was the youngest of twleve children
Of Simon and Julia Essig, who removed
to this county in 1908, when Rebecca
was but two years Of age, and one year
before Stark county was organized.
Her father was soldier In the war Of
the revolution and was with the armies
OF Washington during all that long, hard
struggle for our independence, and the
brothers of Mrs. Pontius rendered valu-
abe service for the maintenance Of our
liberties In the war of 1919, when Rebecca
was but six years Of age. She had q dis
tinct recollection Of the second war with
England and could narrate Incidents of
the struggle as they were discussed by
the people at that time.
When the Simon Essig family arrived
In this state in 1908 less than dozen log
cabi s constituted the village Of Canton.
The prudent father of the family came
armed with half dozen or more parch-
ments signed by Thomas Jefferson, then
president Of the United States, emitting
him to as many quarter seoei ons Of land
In what is now Plain township. He was
Identified with the early struggle Of the
county. He settled on what Is now
known as the Herbruok farm, near the
county work-house, and lived there until
he died in 1859 at the age Of So.
Rebeoca Pontius was the last survivor
of the twelve children, and in fact the
great majority of her nieces and nephews
have preceded her to the world beyond
the grave, although they had all attained
a ripe old age.
She was married in 1897 to Jacob
Pontius, who died in 1889. To this
union were born three children, John
Pontius, Andrew Pontius and Ann
Margaret Bair, all of whom survive
Mrs. Pontius never remarked and has
therefore been widow for "a years.
Right grandchildren and twenty two
great-grandchildre are numbered among
the descendants. For the past 45 years
Mrs. Pontius lived with her SOD Andrew,
In Plain township, and her demise oc-
CURED ab his nome.
Death was due entirely to old age, and
for the past three months the deceased
gradually grew weaker and weaker. but
apparently suffered no pain. She re-
tanned full possession of her faculties
until the end, with the exception that for
the past seven or eight years she has been
totally blind.
Mrs. Pontius was member of the
Lutheran church and was devoted,
consistent Christian lady, with ad-
mirable traits Of mind and heart, gen.
erous and kind, and was loved and re-
spected by wide circle of relatives and
friends. The funeral services will be
held at the Warstler church In Plain
township, on Tuesday the 18th inst, at
2p. nj. Friends of the deceased will meet
at the home Of Andrew Pontius at
1890 O'Clock.