The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1897-07-16
Obituary.

Mrs. Eliza Shields Friesner was
born near Emmitsburg, Frederick
county, Maryland, February Sth
1916. Her father came in possess.
ion Of about dozen slaves by in
herltance whom he freed and sell
ing his plantation in Maryland re-
moved with his family consisting
Of a wife, five daughters, and an in
funt son TO the then new and thinly
settled state of Ohio and settled IN
Fairfield county, near Rushville
about 1927. The unaccustomed
hardships Of pioneer life proving
/ too much for him, his health broke
down and after lingering an Invalid
for four years no died leaving his
widow and young family to the
harsh struggle of winning their
way in new country; and the
slight form that now lies peacefully
at rest undertook and performed
tasks that seem flt only for robust
and hardened men. September
| 7th, 1887, she married Daniel Fries
ner and with him made her home
in Logan, Ohio, then small village
surrounded by sparse and rude
population, The densely wooded
hills that environed II concealed a
band Of outlaws which gave it a
reputation similar to the Modern
Deadwood, reputation which the
scenes of brutality and outrage so
often exhibited upon its streets un-
fortunately warranted. Amid
scenes Uf lawless force she taught
her little family the fear of the
Lord, to whom in her girlhood she
had given her heart. Her eldest
son remembers how when her hus-
hand was engaged in his business
and she was alone, she would have
him lay his baby heal upon her
knees and teach him the Westmin-
lister shorter catechism as sht
taught him to talk and would tell
him of God and heaven, and the
angels till in his childish mind he
thought the angels looked like his
mother. In such surroundings the
little band Of lovers Of right and
righteousness in the community
grow clio or together and she goes
to meet those friends, most Of whom
have preceded her, whose virtues
stood a test their children can hard.
~ conceive while they enjoy it,
triumphant fruits. Her husband
died November 10, 1859, leaving her
the guardianship Of the two young
er surviving children. The fruits
of her " edded life were nine chill
dren, four of whom died in infancy.
OF those, who attained majority
two Joseph and X ate died during
her widow hood leaving families
and she assumed the care and rear
ing Of her son Joseph's five orphan
children. During her life she al
ways took keen womanly interest
in public affairs and patriotism was
her distinguishing trait, which she
installed into all whom she influ-
enced, and during 'he great rebel
lion everyone of her living sons and
her only son-in-law were found in
the armies for the preservation Of
the union, and she has had the sat
i-factiOn of seeing her sOrs hold
"orah'v positions i .he ci, il and
military service Of their country.
While she lived the house was the
center 10 which all her children and
grandchildren came as the common
home, and her death seems like the
breaking up ofa family. She peace
fully breathed her last July 7, 1897,
at nine a. m. amid loving friends
and neighbors at her old home on
Hunter street, in Logan, Ohio, and
her friends have the comforting
assurance that the Lord she has
loved so long will welcome her to
joys eternal Two sans Col. William
Shields Friesner, Logan, Ohio,
Judge John Shields Friesner OF Co
lumbus, Ohio, and one daughter
Mrs. Sarah F. Cutler Of Rant0ul
Kansas, and one sister, Mrs. Cathe'
rine McCondliSh, Of Upper San
dusky, Ohic, eight grandchildren
and three great grandchildren CUR
vive her. Mrs. Friesner unite Il
with the FIRST Presbyterian church
nf Logan, Ohio, November II, 1919,
by letter from the Congregational
church 0f Marietta.