The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1904-04-27

To few people have come such mani
fest blessings from the hand of God, as
have been given to the family of our ven
erable fellow citizen, the Hon, John A.
Proper. 1t has been theirs to enjoy an
unbroken family circle for more than
half century. In the evening of life the
aged parents have enjoy d the privilege OF
having children, grandchildren, and
great grand children gather round their
hearthstone in the large commodious
home, and the children have lived to see
the halo of peacs and prosperity crown
the honored leisure of their parents. But,
during the past week, the unlimited
guest of Death has entered this favored
home and has robbed it of its best and
richest treasure-the mother. Although
her deathless soul, freed from its earthly
body, racked, tortured and paralyzed by
disease and pain, triumphantly passed
through the mystic vale, far beyond the
touch of disease, suffering and death, yet
there is weeping for the heart is lonely
and yesrns
"For the touch of a vanished hand,
And the sound of voice that is STILL"
The mother "has gone from sight, but
not from hearts and memory; she lives
on, embalmed with love and garlanded
with affection"
Sarah A. Grove was daughter of
Jacob and Mary (BolD Grove, and was
born near Diamond, Venango county,
December Is, 1923. She was grand
daughter of Peter Grove, the famous In
dian fighter with Samuel Brady, who was
one of the pioneers of Centre county, and
whose service for his country was of un'
told value. On Sept. 70, 1916, she was
united in marriage to John A. Proper, of
Venango county. Shortly after their
marriage Mr.. and Mrs. Proper came to
what is now Forest county, where Mr..
Proper was engaged in the manufacture
of lumber. In 1867 they removed to III
onesta where they have since resided.
To them were born seven children, who
grew to manhood and womanhood and
whose sad privilege it was, with their
father and as many of their children and
grandchildren as were near, to see their
mother quietly, peacefully and uncon-
sciously breathe the last breath of her
life on earth. The children are: Mrs.
Rosila Walters, Mrs. Jennetta Warner,
Oliver W., Mrs. Alice Lanson, j. Floyd,
EuRetta, and Forest G.
Mrs. Proper was one of nine brothers
and sisters, four of whom survive her:
Mrs. Eliza Paup, of Tionesta; Mrs. Mary
A. Beers, Grsnison Grove and p. II.
Grove, of Venango county. 1t was also
the privilege of these devoted kindred to
be with their beloved sister during her
last illness.
In the death of Mrs. Proper the COM
munity has lost one of its best and most
valued members. Unselfishness, that
rarest of gifts, was one of the most at
tractive. traits in her beautiful character.
Her ever ready and sweet thoughtfulness
caused many home to be benefited with
the comforts which they lacked. 1t also
shed its genial light in the home, and
caused her to brighten and gladden. the
hearts of all who shared her unstinted
hospitality. Loyal and loving to all, pa
tient and brave in suffering, her life re-
fiected the image OF her Savior, to whom
she gave her heart, in the Methodist
Episcopal church at Tionesta, some
twenty years ago. Her simple faith and
childlike trust in her heavenly Father,
stood as All anchor as she neared eterni-
ty's shore. Her work was done, but the
lasting perfume of sweet life was pour
ed into the hearts of those who remain,
and ITO live in hearts we leave behind is
not to die"
At2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, her
pastor, Rev. o. Ii. Nickle, assisted by
Rev. r. w. Illingworth, conducted i'm
pressive funeral services at her late home,
after which, amid profusion of fragrant
flowers and mingling of tears, the body,
followed by large concourse of relatives
and friends, was laid to rest in beautiful
Riverside Cemetery, there to await the
resurrection of the just, who die in the
Lord.