Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-02-12
CATHERINE STODDARD.

CAi HERlNE SiUUUAhDI
Mrs. Catherine Stoddard, one of Wau-
sau's Oldest and most respected citizens
passed into eternity, last Sunday morn
ing, February 10th, 1901, at six o'clock.
Always frail little body and not very
robust, those who have known her dur
ing her life time in Wausau, wondered
at her vitality. For several years, on
account of her great age, she had been
gradually growing weaker until six
weeks ago she was compelled to 60 to
bed. There was not very much differ
ence in her condition from that time
until last Thursday, when there was
quite decided change for the worse.
On Saturday night she talked and was,
as usual quite cheerful. Her son, E. B.
Stoddard and wife, remained with her
until midnight, and as she was SEEM
ingly no worse than she had been for
several days, the latter went to take
some rest, and Mr.. Stoddard laid down
on cot-bed in an adjoining room. He
was up several times from that time on
to give his mother water and few
moments before six o'clock, he heard
unnatural breathing and going to the
bedside, he found his mother breathing
her last; she passed away quietly like
one dropping off to sleep
Thus was this gentle soul waited to
Its Maker, and though absent, Auntie
Stoddard viii be remembered by those
who knew her, as long as life lasts.
There are many who have known her
since she came here, forty-one years
ago, and her sweet, cheerful WAYS and
disposition to look on the bright side of
life, gave them inspiration and better
enabled them to meet and overcome
obstacles in life's pathway which other
wise would have seemed insurmount-
able.
Mrs. Stoddard was woman of edu-
cation and a writer of ability and in
earlier days, contributed as literally to
the press as her time would allow. She
was woman of rare judgment and
never was occupied to such an extent as
not to be able to give advice freely to
the many friends, old and young, who
sought her counsel. She was greatly
beloved by all who had the honor of
her acquaintance and that love and re-
Spect grew with closer association.
Notwithstanding her age, which was
over "a years, her mind remained bright
until the last, and one year ago she
wrote the following brief history of her
own life:
Catherine Louise Stoddard was born
December goth, 1916, in the town of
Sterling, County of Worcester, state of
Massachusetts. She was the oldest
child of John and Louise Yale Bartlett,
and when one and half years old, her
parents came to Middlebury, Genoa
county, State of New York. When be-
tween seven and eight years old, they
removed to Nina, Chautauqua county,
N. Y. There she spent her girlhood,
being employed in teaching school.
She then went with her parents to
POmpet, Chautauqua county, where, on
February 18th, 1885, she was married
to Silas E. Stoddard and settled in
Laona, a small village in Pompet. In
1853, she came west with her husband,
living in Jefferson, Wisconsin, few
years, then came to Mosinee, and in the
spring of 1860 came to Wausau where
she has resided ever since. She was
the mother of three children, the young
est, living but few hours and the Oldest
dying here in Wausau at the age of six
| teen.
Now, children, at the age of SO and
two months, with dim eyes, and lame
hand, l have written these lines for
! your benefit,
GRANDMA STODDARD."
For over 40 years the Stoddards have
lived on Forest street and nearly all of
| the time, on the lot a little southwest of
the engine house Mr.. Stoddard died
on the 10th day of February, 1881, since
which time deceased has resided with
her only living child-E. b. StodGard
who survives her.
The funeral took place at 2 o'clock
this afternoon the Rev W. }. Cordick
officiating. The pail bearers were w.
B. Scholfeld, j. n Manson, Frank
Kelly, H. H. Manson, Fred Burt and f.
B. Thayer.
There are being brought into the city
at present fine lot of white pine logs,
which remind one of early days. One