The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1896-10-08
A Noble Woman.

Mrs. Hannah Treat, who is peacefully
sleeping in the far West, first saw the
light in Prospect, Maine. She was a
daughter of the late S. S. Heagan o.
Stockton Springs. Before she was twelve
years of age, she was bereft of a Christian
mother. After few hours illness tn e
mother passed away, leaving a family of
seven children. Hannah was the eldest;
while the youngest was babe in its
mother arms.
We can hardly help asking the ques-
ton: Why was the mother taken from her
little ones, who needed her loving care SO
much? We should not question the wis
dom of the Almighty. twill all be made
plain after the mists have cleared away.
The father was left lonely, with his lit
tie ones to care for. Hannah had excel
lent abilities, and was a great help in
home affairs. After a time the father
brought second mother for his children;
then his daughter had her liberty and
could be in school. She was good
scholar, and intelligent beyond her years.
1t was not long time before she was
qualified for teaching and was a success
full teacher here in Maine. She was high
ly endowed by nature: physically mental
ly and morally. In form and features
she was fair to look upon She was a
woman of mental power, and one of
Natures noble women. 1t could we'll be
said of her that she was a womanly
woman and early learned to make the
Golden Rule the rule of her lite She
praised real worth and admired the dia-
m0nd even if it was not in a fine setting.
She was favorite with the tried and
true" Friendship was her ruling organ
After leaving her native State her heart
often yearned for old time friends About
the year IS she left Maine ana engaged in
teaching in California. She was an emf
nent teacher there. 1t was not long
time before she married Mr.. Treat in
the years rolled around, little daughter
was welcomed to their home. Mrs. Treat
continued in the business of teaching for
years, and earned large amount of
money, SO that she was able to assist her
companion in his financial affairs. AS
the time passed by they prospered in their
business. They made a visit to their
native State, and in their prosperity they
were not unmindful Of those who needed
their assistance. To his second mother
Mr.. Treat gave quite sum of money, as
she was a lone widow, for his father had
joined the celestial throng some time be
fore. Their time was somewhat limited,
but none were passed by; they remember
ed all whom they had ever known.
Mrs. Treats father was man of intel
ligence and a public spirited man. He
held important offices in his town and
State for some years. He was three times
married. BY the two first marriages there
We're six sons and five daughters. After
reaching mature years the eldest son
went west, and after residing there for
long years he passed away, far from the
scenes of his early home. -Four of the
sons crossed the ''great divide'' in the
prime of life; and left four lonely widows.
The youngest son passed away in early
manhood. The youngest daughter died
in infancy The two youngest surviving
daughters are settled near their early
I, j
one of her sisters.
Some time after MI. and Mrs, Treat
visited in Maine Mr.. Treat was engaged
in business in a distant part of the State.
He was stricken down and passed away
far from the loved ones at home. Mrs.
Treat, in her great sorrow, no doubt felt
that her beloved child was one of God S
great blessings to her; for no one can feel
more lonely than childless widow. In
her bereavement She was far away from
all her kindred. No doubt the promise
was verified to her that las thy day thy
strength shall be-" She had a large
amount of business to be looked after.
She put it in the hands of competent men
fol- adjustment. 1t was not long after her
companions death, before her health be-
gan to fail. The thought of leaving her
only child doubly orphaned must have
been a trial to her faith; but she remem-
bered Gods promise "that He would be
father to the fatherless.' In making
arrangements in her business affairs she
kindly remembered ner aged father and
unmarried sister. 1t was a gradual vast
ing away with her; she fingered some
months and then gently passed away.
With Ter surviving schoolmates and
friends Ler memory will always be fresh
and green. Her daughter is settled in
California.
Mrs. Treats father survived her, only a
short time. His companions had all pre-
coded him to the "better land" After
reaching his four score years he was laid
to rest in the village cemetery, where a
large number of his kindred repose.
j. &. VI.
Stockton Springs
Tho Dctoha, Of Toh1n FTa]1-