Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1900-05-17
DEATH, THE REAPER.
Old and Young Fall Before His Shining
Sickle, and Have Gone To Join
the Great Majority.
MRS. WEsTBRooK DIVINE.

MRS. wESTBROoK DIVINE.
One more OF the earliest pioneers OF
this section has been called to her final
rest, Mrs. Westbrook Divine, well
known to all the older residents OF this
and adjoining counties. The last few
years Of her life she was great suf'
ferer, which she bore with gentle
patience, but there are those who can
we'll remember her noble, sterling
qualities when she was devoted vile,
a loving mother, generous neighbor
and friend. AS such she has entered
into her just reward, mourned and be-
loved by all who knew her. She took
to the bed In her last sickness, April
9Th, and suffered much until the last
few hours when she peacefully breathed
her life away on the 10th OF May at
midnight.
Elizabeth Roosa was born in Ulster
Co. N. Y, Jan. 8, 1926, and came to
Michigan in the year 1889, and lived
in the family OF her uncle, Charles
Broas.
She was united in marriage to West
brook Divine, of Eureka, Montcalm
Co., Jan. q, 1S45, and they commenced
housekeeping in the pioneer days,
when the red man roved the country.
She was always pleased to relate her
experience of their visits and of the
many hardships that had to be en-
dured when there was no railroads
and the nearest trading stations were
Ionia and Grand Rapids. She was
often physician and nurse for those
who were sick and helpless.
Two daughters and three sons were
born: Sarah G, wife OF ID. =. Fargo,
who now resides in Dolan, S. Dakota,
Monroe b., who resides in Portland,
Mich, Asher A. who resides in Maple
ton, N. Dakota, Addie b., who died in
infancy and George E., who died July
80, 1898.
Her husband Westbrook Divine died
Sept. 10, 1888, and after his death she
resided with her son George, until his
death, when she accompanied her
daughter, Mrs. Fargo to Dolan, S. Da-
kota, with whom she resided until her
death. Her request was that she
brought back to her old home and laid
to rest by the side of her husband and
son.
The remains, were brought here by
her son-in-law, d. p. Fargo, Mrs. Far
go being unable to come, arriving Sun
day evening. Funeral services were
held from the home of Mrs. Geo.
Divine on south Broas ST., Monday
Rev. J. j. Staley, OF the
Congregational church officiating, and
the burial took place at the old GENE.
terry as she wished.
WILLIAM SPENCER.
Uncle William Spencer died at the
residence of his nephew, j. A. Spen-
Ger, last Thursday evening, quite sud
denly and unexpectedly. Although
he has not been strong for several
years past, he was not supposed TO be
in any immediate danger, and news OF
sudden passing at about nine o'clock
from heart failure, took his friends
very much by surprise.
Uncle William, as he was Familiarity
known, was born in the town of Rich
mond, Ontario Co., N. Y, Sept. 18th,
1921, and was therefore in his 10Th
year. He came to Michigan in an ear
ly day and before railroads became so
used TO run boats on Grand
River. He also ran on Lake Michi-
gan, and during the last years OF his
active business life, spent each sum-
mer in New York City, where he was
engaged with navigation company
during the season. He formerly owned
a fine larm in the northwest corner of
Otisco township, but about a dozen
years ago took up his residence in
His wife died about five
years ago. They had one child which |
also died many years ago. Mr.. Spen-
GER was Of bright, genial temper
ment, kind and sympathetic, he was
loved and esteemed by all who knew |
him.
Funeral services were held Sunday |
afternoon from the late residence, Rev. |
r. A. Mcconnell officiating, and the |
burial took place in the River Ridge |
cemetery.
DOT M. CUSSER.
The news of the death of Mrs. Lee
Cusser was great shock to our citi
,ens and was received with deepest re-
greet and sorrow. 1t is sad, very sad. |
The idolized wife of a husband to |
whom she had been married only five
years the 5th OF next month, sweet |
baby girl two years old, pleasant |
home, she had all which would seem |
TO make life sweet and desirable, ex-
cept one thing, health. She had never
been strong or robust and the last few |
years in particular had suffered much.