The Republican journal., 1910-05-19
Mrs. VIM. |. Bennett.

day evening last and bore to the Great Reyond
one who had for many happy years been one of
the choicest treasures of his heart, his oldest
daughter, Parepa Rosa.
Mrs. Bennett, who had from childhood been
delicate, was stricken with paralysis of the
left side St her home in Brookfield three
months since, but had made most encouraging
progress towards recovery and Mr.. Bennett
had purchased property in southern Florida,
where they planned to remove the coming fall
to make a permanent home and escape the
rigors of northern winters, which had long been
trying to Mrs. Bennett. They consequently had
surrendered their lease and arranged to pass
the summer with her father, who also had
each winter to spend with them in the south,
expecting them to spend the month of extreme
heat in Florida with him in Hollywood. Com
plications, however, in the meantime arose
that bafled the physicians and the case grew
serious.
Mrs Bennett had been afflicted for long
period with chronic stomach trouble which
was diagnosed as confined to the nerves, and
had recovered from prolonged attack of ner-
| vous prostration year previous to her mar
riage. The past two weeks had brought to her
most intense suffering Of as she said, in
describable nervous character, depriving her
of sleep and finally overcoming her superb
courage, patience and confidence, until finally,
Sunday, at $50 p. m, after forty hours of
sleeplessness and never for an instant loss of
consciousness, she opened her weary eyes
which took on remarkable shade of brightness
and never before looked SO delicately blue and
beautiful, asked to be raised in bed, to have the
shade raised and bed removed to the window,
where she could see the trees and many at
tractive surroundings, called for her flowers
that friends were constantly sending her, re-
gained her strength of voice and conversed
brightly and sweetly to the happy group that
so thankfully welcomed the apparently favor
! able change Then soon hecominp tired she
asked to be lain down and be treated by her
father, husband and the nurse with soothing
messages, she soon sank into a most peaceful
and regular slumber, and at about $50 .. M
she suddenly and without pain stepped out of
this life.
Thus has passed sweet young woman of
great intellectually, most amable qualities
and strong mind, without one enemy.
None knew her but to love her;
None named her but to praise
Parepa Rosa Roberts Bennett was born in
Stockton, Maine, August Z, 1869, where her
father at that{ime shipbuilder and mer-
chant. Her mother, who was Miss Pauline
Cocord, died when she was but seven years of
age, and shortly after the birth of her sister,
Pauline, leaving the children to the care of
their Grandmother Colcord, who gave them
the most tender attention until the removal of
Captain Roberts, first to Boston, Mass, and
two years later (1SS4) to Chicago.
! III June, 1Soo, Sdptdlu ftODerIS Drought MS
notherless children to Lawndale, then village
out on the western prairie, which has since
been overtaken and passed by the great on
ward march of Chicagos population and no
longer retains the features of its former busjr
ness and social self. The little family matte
its home with Mrs. Mudgett, recently deceas-
ed, former resident in Maine, of the same To-
cality, who for many years kept select board
ing house on Millard avenue. She was an ex-
cellent woman and gave motherly care and in
struction to her charges, having taught by
Miss Parepas desire the modiste art. Miss
Parepa at that early age had developed most
artistic taste in making all of the clothes for
herself and sister. Here Miss Parepa passed
from childhood to womanhood, the sensible
and pleasant girl, the young woman a model in
department of quiet but most attractive man.
ners, the one girl universally loved by her
graduated at the head of her class at Lawn
dale school (now Robert Burns), and was
awarded the Foster medal.
In all the years to follow she was factor in
the social life of the community, the home
keeper, helper and eonfdant of her father,
who for five years kept the Millard Avenue
Hotel, where she presided an efficient hos
tess; mother to her younger sister, to whom
she impaired all of her own fine domestic ac-
quirements. AS the editor is told by those
few remaining in the Lawndale district who
participated in those brilliant ano happy
! eNSHlS, 81 Cu0FlSneU, laCner ana Oaugn-
ter were always bound together as comrades
and most congenial companions at the old time
social functions at Muscoda, Douglas Park and
Morton Park Clubs.
One lady informant says: II recall quartet
of young ladies who were well known for their
especial friendship for each other, about the
same age, of different temperaments, but all
with especial attractions in confidential circle
| of their own. Now first broken by DEATH They
were Miss Mary hewitt, for years teacher in
the public schools, now the wife of Doctor
Charles H. Broadway, the only one remaining
in the old neighborhoOd; Miss Pearl Balthis,
long teacher OF kindergarten, now the wife
of Fred 5. Hunting, manager of the Fort
Wayne, Ind, Electric Railway; Miss Ida Mey-
ers, wife of E. A. Morris, the well known
wholesale confectionery merchant, now re-
tired, and Miss Parepa Roberts, who married
July 70, 1902. William J! Bennett. who was for
some years cashier of the Chicago General
Electric Railways, and went with him to Pitts
! burg, Pa, to reside near the home of Mr.. Ben
nett's parents, whose father is prominent
physician of that State"
The married life of Mr.. and Mrs. Bennett
was one of most pronounced happiness, marred
only by thesd delicate state of Mrs. Benefits
health during the winter months, but then only
to forge stronger the links of affection she had
for her life associate because of his never fail
ing devotion, care and watchfulness for her
every comfort and happiness. Always home
/ Ss
gether.
Mrs. Bennett was an attendant of the Sum
day school of Millard avenue Baptist Society,
but never united with any church. Her life's
example, however, was the real poetry of
Christianity. She secured fine musical edu-
cation under the instruction of Mrs. Florida M.
Pratt, and was fine performer on the piano.
Confning her practice to home enjoyments,
her touch, expression and technique were a
seeming reflection of her own character.
Tuesday afternoon the neighbors of the
beautiful little hamlet of Hollywood, and old
friends from the city who loved her, bringing
beautiful and fragrant flowers in profusion,
gathered at the home Of Captain Roberts to
pay their last tribute to this sweet hearted and
graceful young woman who had been SO sadly
called in the early maturitylof life from those
l who fondly cherish her. Rev. Abram Van
Page. pastor of the Millard Avenue Presby-
terian church, friend Of her father, officiated,
and made an address Of strong logic and great
beauty. He was followed by Rev. Granville
Ross Pike Of North Yakima, Washington, q
former pastor Of the same church and long a
friend Of the family, who spoke most charming
words Of hope and comfort to all. Mrs. w. M.
Gamble, also family friend, sang several se-
lections in her ever sweet voice and one duet
with her son. The last prayer was said amid
bowed heads and fearful eyes and then the
carriages wended their solemn way through
trees. along the banks Of the beautiful Des-
PLANES river to Forest Home Cemetery.
Mrs. Bennett leaves husband. they had nc