Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1899-01-05
Mrs. olivia A. shepard.


After eight days OF WEAKNESS and sui.
trring she closed her eyes in their last
sleep, Dec "a, 1898.
Her death caused great sorrow not on.
~ 10 the loved ones OF her family and rel
/ atives, out to the whole immunity in
which she had lived so long. Her life and
character were such that she had the es-
TEEN, respect and love OF all who knew
her. On the day OF her funeral an init
mate friend said, ''5he had not an enemy
in the world"
day but she has seen many winter ones.
She has met every change that came to
her with trust, calmness and Christian
courage. What varied experiences are
suggested by the pames-daughter, wife
and motheIi It is true these relations are
common but how sacred and varied.
We first see her in the home in which
she was born, little child tenderly ,red
for by father and mother. She was one OF
a family of nine children-six sons and
three daughters. Her father, Elias Rich,
was born in STAFFORD Jan. 10. 1887. Her
mother, Betsey Rich, died Nov. 20, 1882,
aged So years and 9 months. Her moth
er's only sister, Ms. Emily Libby, was
present at the funeral.
Mrs. Shepard's brother, Svlvanus S.
Rich, of st. Adams died Sept. 24,just three
a IL
family in which she was born are all gone,
excepting one brother, Charles J. Rich, of
Roxbury, who was present at his sisters
funeral. How true il is that Zone gener
alton passeth away and another genera
ton cometh."
union of hearts forms new homes.
When she married Samuel Shepard new
era opened in the history OF her life ex-
perience.
When the rebellion broke out and our
government was threatened with ruin,
Vermonters we're everywhere ready to de-
fend our nation and to lay down their
lives for their country. Mr.. Shepard en-
listed and fastened to the scenes OF war
leaving pleasant, happy home, a wife
and three little children. That husband
and father never returned. He sleeps in
Va, June Z, 1864. Almost IS years have
passed since those days of carnage and
death. We can imagine something OF the
darkness that came over that home OF the
widow and the orphans, the struggle, the
sorrow and tears. But strength, courage
and wisdom we're given her to meet that
great crisis in her life, and all the burdens
that have been placed upon her. She felt
a mothers JOY as she looked into the
sweet face that lay in the cradle and a
mothers SORROW as she stood by the cas-
ket Of her beloved dead. June /, 1879, was
q silent and sad way mark in her life. On
that day her daughter Elite NJ, who bad
seen l6 summers, passed on to the higher
life. Two children survive her, Will o.
Shepard, who is married has two sons and
lives only a short distance from Roxbury
village, and Miss Alice B. Shepard, With
whom her mother has lived and has had
pleasant home end most genial compqn-
ionship.
just before she breathed her last she
said, "Alice, IL is well, you can live with
out me but could not live without you.n
Calmly, trustingly aud hopefully closes a
life OF almost 90 wears. She passed her
6lst birt hday the 10Th OF last May.
The funeral services were held in her
home where she died, conducted bv Rev.
5. A Parker of Bethel. A large number
came to look on her pleasant face. Low
ing hands placed flowers on he. casket,
reminding us OF the beauty of her char
acter and the rest and peace OF the "better
land" where all her family will be gath
cred by ami by. 5. A. PARKER.