Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-04-10
m MeMoa,AM.

IN MeMORiAM.
Passed away, In the city Of Washing
ton, D. c., on March 9Th, Mrs. Louisa
n. Greene, widow Of Jonas Greene, de-
ceased, formerly Of Peru, Oxford County.
i In the death Of Mrs. Greene, . remark
able woman has passed away. She was
born In Ashburnham, Mass, May -,
1919, her life thus covering the greater
part of the nineteenth century. Her
father was Henry willard, native OF
Vermont. Mrs. Greene was descend
ant Of the same family as Frances Will
lard, they having one common ancestor,
Msjor Simon willard Of Revolutionary
stock.
Bereft of both parents In early child
hood, she was deprived Of schooling and
thrown upou her own resources ut the
age of Is. She obtained employment 10
u wooden factory In Dedham, Mass, and
worked for several years for the pittance
Of one to two dollars per week and
hoard, working fourteen hours day.
There, upon the heads OF bobbins, she
learned to write. Notwithstanding her
long hours OF labor, she found time for
constant improvement by reading and
study.
Here came her flrst revolt against the
| Injustice shown to women In industrial
pursuits. Called upon at one time to
take a mans place at spindle she per-
formed the duties with greater dispatch
and efficiency than the former operator.
When payday came her demand for the
same compensation that the man had
been receiving was met with amazement.
I The plucky young girl stood her ground
and refused TO return to the spindle un-
less paid ut the same rate as the man
whose place she WAS filing. She was
promptly dismissed from the factory, to
be recalled shortly afterwards at In
creased wages.
To 1910 she taught school near Ports
mouth, n. II. There she formed the
acquaintance OF Jonas Greene OF Oxford
County, Maine, and became his wife In
lS4l. Mr.. Greene will be remembered
"a q prominent business man and poll
tician In this section OF the state, repre-
senting his district 10 each branch OF the
state legislature for several successive
terms. His success In life he attributed
largely to the cooperation and support
OF his prudent, intelligent and broad
minded wife.
Coming with her husband TO the then
somewhat sparsely settled Oxford Coun- |
ty. new and active life opened before
her. While performing faithfully her
home duties, she found time TO enter |
heartily into the philsnthropic and re-
form work Of the times. Her great skill
"a nurse was In incessant demand. Her |
old peighbors In Peru remember still |
with deepest gratitude her untiring min
istrstions &C the bedsides OF their sick |
and dying.
In 1850 Mrs. Greene espoused the anti
slavery cause. She with few kindred
spirits gathered the country women to-
gether and organized anti-slavery so
cieties. Literature WAS distributed.
Uncle Toms Cabin" was circulated Tar
and near, and many stirring article
from her pen appeared In the local
papers, creating sentiment against the
ubiquitous system.
During the civil war Mrs. Greenes
patriotic lsbors were untiring. In add
ton To multitudinous home duties, which
we're always faithfully performed, she
took upon herself the labor OF collecting,
preparing and forwarding hospital sup
plies for the boys at the front who were
so dear 10 her heart.
Mrs. Greene was writer OF no mean
ability. Her poems are beautiful and
pathetic. Her newspaper contributions
for wears covered wide range OF sub
j.cts. From 1850 TO 1860 she was a fire.
ouent writer for the Oxford Democrat.
The temperance and womsn's suffrage
causes were early champi0ned by her,
and have ever commanded her best serv-
ice OF voice, pen and purse.
In 1869 Mrs. Greene removed with her
family TO Manassas, Va, where her hus-
band died In 1873 The death Of her only
son eight years later was another sriev-
Gus loss 70 her.
Mrs. Greene's early life developed In
her sturdy self.relisnce. This combined
later with an answering faith and trust
In God, made her throughout her long
life a tower Of strength alike To her I'm
mediste family and her wide circle OF
relatives and friends. She passed alike
through sore bereavemeDts, great griefs,
physical pain aud the iufirmities OF old
age, with rare fortitude and triumphant
faith.
Her interest 10 public affairs was deep
and philsnthropic, and continued un-
ahated to the close of her life. Her fund
OF Information WAS extraordinary, and
her memory OF events and dates won
der TO all who knew her. She was born
op,imist. She rejoiced TO have lived In
this century because OF Its wide outlook,
and believed the incoming century would
be- glorious with progress and discoveries
more memorable than those which
marked her own.
Four daughters survive her, Mrs
Cross and Mrs. Baldwin OF Manassas,
Va, Mrs. Ketchum Of Washington aud
Mrs. Thorpe Of Britton, South Dakota.
To them the loss Of this great hearted
mother IL irrepsrable. Ia her wise couu-
sci, tender sympathy and strong faith,
they ever found solace and support In
every trial In life. With sorrowing
hearts they bow to the decree OF the H.
flute VIII, and await the blissful re-
union with their dear one 10 that fair
realm where "There shall be no more
death, neither sorrow nor crying"
In accordance with the wishes OF Mrs
Greene, her body was cremated. and the
ashes placed In the grave Of her husband
In 81. Pau's cemetery, Alexandria, Va.
She held strong views on this subject,
believing that the burial Of bodies 70
such large numbers around cities wss
unssnitary 10 the highest degree, and
the cause of much Of the prevailing sick
ness.
Upon the marble shaft which marks
the last earthly resting place Of this de-
voted wife, mother and philsnthropist,
Is inscribed in her memory the triun-
plant words Of the Apostle Paul. III
have fought a good fight, | have I'm
ished my course, have kept the faith"
Truly II may be added, "Henceforth