The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-04-21


thought beautifully expressed, and was
read by Mrs. Ezra. Stevenson.
Mr.. and Mrs. Conard both spoke to
the assemblage and thanked them for
the honor confessed. The venerable
old couple referred feelingly to the graf.
itude they felt. A unique feature of
the entertainment were the recitations
by Mr.. and Mrs. Oonard. "Uncle Ben"
recited impressively, "The Drunkard's
Dream" and the "Coquette" by Mrs.
Conard contrasted graphically the aged
and venerable appearance of the speak.
er with the sentiment of the selection.
The congratulatory address by Mrs.
Cotton Mather, which we reproduce be.
low, concluded the program:
"rhey were not born in vain who live to bless
and solace others;
The sum Of human sorrow; who inspires
Hope in the breast, and kindies loves sweet
fires,
Whose charity relieves friends Distress"
To but few is given the realization of
a life 80 full Of years 80 rich in expert.
ence, so generous in fruitsge, life per.
vaded by 80 much of love for home, for
friends and for native land ss has char.
acterized that of our comrade, our val
ued friend, the guest of honor on this
occasion, Mrs. BENZ. Conard.
Born April 1S, 1898, in Fairfield, (now
Penn township Highland county. short.
ly after Ohio "awoke to civic cencious.
ness" while the county. was almost an
unbroken wilderness, and this beautiful
town little village with mud roads and
paths through the dense forest. .
Compare the Ohio of today with that
of the time when Stephen and Mary
Hussey greeted the blue. eyed baby who
came into their home that beautiful
spring day, to whom they gave the sweet
old name Of Elizabeth, and who forms a
link between that far away
past and the present, herself part of its
history.
Al that time there were no free schools,
her education was obtained at what was
then called subscription schools. Mrs.
Conard was seven years old when the
law was passed requiring the levying of
taxes for school purposes, q law being
in force prohibiting the teaching Of any
branches save reading, spelling, writing
Married in 1847 to I. N.
Johnson, soon q widow, she returned to
the home of her father where she re-.
sided until the marriage with BENZ.
Conard, October 23, 1856.
To them was born one daughter, EN-.
ma, now Mrs. E. 8. Ellis. we'll known to
most of you a. bright, capable woman,
the prophecy of her childhood
and early girlhood.
So genuinely motherly was Mrs. Con.
ard that one who had known her init.
mately for years was surprised to find
that she sustained step relation to
some of her children.
When the nation was in the throes of
the Cival War, none were more loyal
and generous; hope, charity and loyalty
then as now her watchword.
Exceptional in her interest in public
affairs " hen extension of the franchise
was granted to women, Mrs. Conard was
among the first to intelligently avail her
self of it's privileges.
When she reached the allotted three
score y ears and ten, the gift OF volume
of Will Carleton's poems from the com.
panion Of her freside, showed that tho
poetry of life had not yielded to com.
prose. In flower culture more
than IN ameteur the passer. by enjoys
the fragrance and lovliness of her gar.
den.
A pioneer of the country it IL not
strange that the wrestle with the primi-
tive elements should have contributed
to strong. ,forceful character, growing
with it's growth, strengthening with ita
strength into personality which has
been felt in various ways.
A home. maker given TO hospitality
to plane'speaking and good thoughts, in
public affairs and in private life her
stand has been for the true and bsauti.
ful and the good bringing through hel
pilgrimage Of 80 yesrs the cheer Of hostl
Of friends and today We are hare to de
her honor, - CROWN her with . wreath
oi eopestslefioas and GOD viGhes,