Putnam patriot., 1911-11-17
y1ClN NlTYs a
In Memory of Miss Mary Il. Dike


 Miss Mary H. Dike, who died at her bone in Thompson, Monday, Novem- b4r s belonged to one of the oldest and most substantial families of that town. sbe WAS born August ?, ls43, the laughter of George and Hannah snow Dike. The farm where she WAS born and where she spent her life, has been in the possestion of her fami- ly from thel earliest settlement of Tbompson, being one of the few home .tssds of which this can be said. Members of the family have at times held important public offices in the adi uinistration of the affairs of the town. Miss Dike received her education in the public schools of Thompson and at Dudley Academy. Her course of study was interrupted when she was i. eighteen years of age by the death of her mother, when the care of the home 1, dsyolyed on her and a younger sister. The death of her sister several years !. wo placed this responsibility OF her alone. Those who have enjoyed the .piFilsge of her intimate acquaintance, will testify that they have known no more hospitable home than hers
 The Dike family has been co nneeied with the Congregational church Of Thompson from it's organization, so that its history is interwoven with the history of the church. The records contain frequent mention of members of the family, and of the official posi- ton which they held. She was her self member for nearly fifty years. During this time she was a great help 10 her father and brother in keeping the records and accounts of the various church. offices which they held. Much Ofthe accuracy of these records and ae- counts is due to her psinstaking care.
 She Was especially interested in works of benevoIence- Berea College received generous gifts from her, AS did the different benevolent societies. Many benevolences of hers were given in quiet way and known only to few of hefintimate friends. The wri- ter received gifts of money for various causes, moze recently for the work in Porto Rico in which he WAS engaged.
 She was a constant attendant on the services of he. church. Until the last lhFee or four years when she has been anlnyalid, she was in her place in the church when others, from inelemency O the weather or other cause, might ma excuse to be absent. She knew me!lmportance ef constant attendance, 0osh as an encouragement to her pas TOT and an incentive to those with whom she was associated. Her pastor aad occasion to remember also the many gifts 10 himself and his family Which were frequently received, and Aeiped him in many ways as well as encouraged him in his work. And in sae church may be seen many things Aaieh she provided, and improve Meats which had her support.
 Being descended from some of the earliest settlers of the Massachusetts nay Colony, she was much interested u daelng the early family history and sue mad collected considerable mateFl- ai in regard to the Dike family, and 1ie related families of Davis, Davison, enafpe, Dwight, Waters, and Bulkley, II Is to be hoped that this material may some time be made use Of in pre- Pa'lng family geneaIogy.
 MSS Dike was a person of dignified Nafing, and was possessed of fine so- uai qualities. In her were to be seen 'i'e pest traits of the old New England suaiaeter, in keeping with the ances- 's Tom which she descended She VII De greatly missed in the church ana In the community.
 TWO brothers survive her, Rev. Sam " N. Dlke, DID,, of Auburndale. and 'es0 Josiah W. Dike, who resides on .4e nome place at Thom pson. A broth
 nenfy. and sister, Hattie, already
 nli0nsd, died several years ago.
 NEWTON T. JONES.