Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-09-15
PIONEER WOMAN DEAD.
Sarah W. Frink Of Packwaukee, Mar
quette County, Ends Hon
oTed Life

PACKWAUKEE. Wis. Sept. 9.-The
funeral of Mrs. Sarah ". F'rink, who
died at her home in this place Septem-
Der 4, after 4 painful and lingering i'll
ness, took place September Is at 5:3O
p. m. The services. by her direction,
were held on her own lawn, beautiful
with flowers which had thriven under her
skillful care. and the casket rested be-
meath her favorite tree. Rev. r. II. Botel
er, the Presbyterian minister of the vii
lage, conducted the simple ceremony, con-
sisting of prayers and few remarks
Then friends and neighbOrs, all of whom
had known her from childhood, accompa-
MED the funeral cortege TO the cemetery,
located only a few rods from her old
home, and within plain view of it; and
there, just as the shades of night We're
falling, all that was mortal of truly
remarkable woman was laid to rest.
A Native of Long Island.
Sarah W. Frink was born in New
town, Long Island, May y, 1910. She
was the daughter of Abram Underhlll
son, the former of whom was born and
raised in the same town. Mrs. Whltson,
who was a native of Crowneck, now
Eoslin, Long Island, was a niece of
Elias Hicks, one of the most noted
Quaker preachers of the United States.
4 deep impression was made upon the
mind of Sarah by the historic associa-
lions amid which she passed her early
days. The old house at Newtown IN
which she first saw the light bore the
marks of a British cannonball by which
it was struck during the Battle OF Long
Island. During her young glrlhood she
spent four years visiting relatives. III
Hampstead, Jamaica. and Flushing,
whose traditions, like those OF NewtoWn,
are rife with memories of the early
Quakers.
The Winning of the Wilderness.
The Whitson family moved to Wiscon-
sin in 1851, travelling by boat through
the lakes and by OX-team from MllWau-
kee to Packwaukee. where the father
''homesteaded' 500 acres Of land some
two miles south of Buffalo Lake. Here,
by industry and thrift, was a section OF
primeval wilderness converted into one
of the most productive farms III the
county of Marquette. Here was estab-
lished well-ordered, cheerful home,
whose hospitality was broad and hearty.
The travelling stranger, and even the
bands of Winnebago and Menomlnee In
dams on their way to their annual
dances at point on the FOX river De-
low the homestead, were accustomed to
seek shelter here, and were never turned
away Sometimes three dinners Il day
were served up in this hOspitable abode
and a welcome went with Ell. Among
the early settlers of the region lhe " hit
son home was recognized as a center OF
social life. The picture of the we'll
managed farm in it's setting of untamed
nature is still freshly preserved III the
memories of survivors of those pioneer
days. Wild deer bounded over
the neighbOring hills. Bears were nu-
merous in the woods. This was the
exterior aspect of the place. Another
I,I
of the domestic interior, with the tire
less mother and her two daughters seat
ed at their spinning wheels, the mother
using the small wheel and the daughters
the large one. There was work for eT-
cry wa ling hour. The wool from the
many sneep raised on the farm was dyed
and spun and woven and wrought into
garments by the deft hands of the wom-
en- of the household. In the intervals of
their tasks, they found time for culture.
A Happy Married Life.
Sarah Whitson was married in 1870
to Chester Frink, Jr., son of Chestc
Frink, ST., another pioneer settler o.
Packwaukee, who was of Puritan stock,
and came out from Connecticut. 1t was
a happy union. Among the cOngenial
pursuits OF husband and wife was ar
chaeology. Together they explored many
of the Indian mounds with which the vi
I
home was Il veritable museum of relics
stone and copper arrow heads, axes and
hammers, pottery and calumets. ROyceS
Point and other localities which have
been recently explored by historical So
cities, were long ago familiar TO Mr.. and
Mrs. Frink. Mr.. Frinll died in 1897.
The widow preserved his cherished col
Iections as he had left them, and de-
lighted to exhibit them to visitors in
tcrcsted in the subjects which had inter
ested him. During all her life
she was fond OF pets and plants
everything helpless or beautiful found
favor in her eyes, and the bird, the cat
or the dog, which made its way TO her,
was sure of 4 comfortable existence.
Her garden teemed with flowers and
rare shrubs and plants in a condition Of
thrift which bespoke intelligent and low
ing attention. About Il year ago. short
ly before her health began to fail, Mrs.
Frink joined the Society of Friends.
branch of which exists in Chicago. She
will be remembered by all who ever en-
joyed the privilege of her acquaintance
as remarkable woman, with education,
refinement and culture which would
have graced any home in the land, and
with sweet soul as we'll as Il bright
mind-a woman warm-hearted, affection
ate and true.
The Wilson Family.
Mrs. Frink is. survived by numerous
relatives. Her fathers family, consist
ing of six children, was as follows: /.
Ann H. Whitson, who is still living in
Abram Whitson. who left home in 1860,
and was last heard from in 1862 at
| UmatilIa. Ore, when he was about start
ing for Wyoming territory, which was
/ then a wilderness, and who is supposed
to have been killed By Indians; +. Daniel
/ -In Iyn1 of -hn far hnV,
stead July II, 1905, and was buried be-
side his parents; 5. Townsend ". Whit
/ son. living on and owning the original
farm; 6. Edward W. Whitson, who is
/ now engaged in the numbering business
/ at Tomahawk, Wis. David WhitsOn,
| brother of Abram Whitson, resided for
/ many years near Madison, where he is
/ survived by two married daughters.