Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-09-01
REPOSE IN THE KINGDOM OF ETERNITY
Miss Ella A. McRaith Died at Her Home in
Grand Rapids Tuesday Afternoon.
Sick Three Weeks,


"Of death it has been said that moth
/ ing is more certain than that it vii
come, and nothing more uncertain thar
when it will come. Knowing that We
! have here no resting place of abode, il
is the part of wisdom to look forward
tC our departure"
! Yet, when the deathwinged angel
messenger calls loved one into the
fateful hereafter, when the purest
brightest gem of the home and freside
succumbs TO the inevitable, how frail
are the assurances of wisdom. While
the dark cloud of sorrow hovers over
the saddened father and brothers,
touching at the same time, as it does,
every home IN the community and the
hearts of the friendswho dearly loved
her, let them keep in mind that blessed
assurance that death does not destroy
what God hath wrought
Ella Abigail McRaith, daughter of our
old toWnsman NJ. J. McRaith. was born
July is, 1867, in Grand Rapids, Wiscon-
sin. Ia this city she was reared, here
she received her education, and here
she has always resided. At an early
age Miss McRaith became an active
member of the Catholic church and her
devotion to the faith never ceased unto
the end. For fifteen years she was
OrgaGist in the church and sang in the
choir. In charitable work, in unwearv-
ing ministrations to the sick or needy,
her hands were ever busy. Miss Nc
Ralth was a member of the Young
Ladies Sodality. Modest and retired,
her life was consecrated for the happi-
ness of others, beautiful object lesson
to the beholders Of unselfsh human
nature.
On the 9th day of April, 1891,
Mrs. NJ. J. McRalth, mother of Miss
Ella, passed away. Sorrow and grief
for the loss of mother began at once to
undermine Miss Elias health, and she
led a secluded, brooding life thereafter.
Confined to her home almost all the
time for several years, her sweet infu-
ence radiated beyond its narrow restric-
tions as the fragrance of a rose is waited
far outside the limits Of its own flower
bed. Not upon mere woods, nor yet in
large degree upon deeds does a WOman's
true influence depend, but upon what
she is, 50 that Indifference toward
mingling frequently in society does not
detract from it, Miss McRaith sretined,
kindly character bad q beautiful power
of lis own which won for her only
friends and admirers in the city Of her
continued earthly career. BY the
friends who best knew and understood
Miss McRaith she was esteemed and
considered as among the truest women
of their acquaintance, one upon whom
Nature had showered her rarest gifts
with liberal hand-the type in which
mentality is refined into spirituality by
the unselfshness and sweetness of a
woman loving heart. But all words |
fail to adequately picture more of this
life that has gone out. Silence and |
tears are the true tributes of friendship. |
Tie sympathy of all friends goes to |
those who mourn-a father; one tsister, |
Mrs. j. c. Wigman of Green Bay; two
brothers, Matthew McRaith of this city
and Francis McRaith of Chicago,
Funeral services were held this morn.
ing in the Catholic church at 10 o'clock |
Father Van Rossma!en officiating. The |
was very large and many
beautiful floral offerings attested the
deep sympathy of friends