Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1912-11-13
THE PASSING OF -
MRS. OGEA BASFORD
Tribute to the Memory of a
Noble Woman
The Deceased Had Always Lived in
Grant County and Was Well
Loved in the Community

'Motherl Dear sacred name, and sweet!
How slow we are to prove.
The height and depth and death lesSnesS Of
perfect mother love,
We take her daily tender care, just as the
~thCughtleSS flowers
Look up to God for daily light, because
we know tits ours.
But when we miss, from heart and life, the
Then we must learn to live without her
presence and her PRAYER.
tbs then the name of mother is to us a holy
thing:
And, lowering low, we seem to feel the
shelter of a wing"
To the innumerable friends of Mrs.
e. Fl. Basford the news of her demise
came as a most grievous shock. the
more startling because to many there
had been no previous intimation of
critical illness: At once a wave of
sorrow swept far and wide. Spontane-
III tributes, letters and kilograms of
coincidence and affection poured in
from other towns and states. and the
universal expression of the sympathy
of our city show the widespread
esteem in which the family is held
and how deeply is felt the loss of the
estimable body who has been so lovely
a friend, so dear a wife. so sweet a
mother.
Ocea, eldest daughter of the late
Mr.. and Mrs. Philander Stephens, was
born in Beetown, Grant county, Wis
c%onsin, March 5, 1857. In the village
school there, and later at the State
Normal school at P%1atteville she re-
ceived her education. She was reared
in a homs of happiness and plenty.
and in the early years of a beautiful
womanhood gave her hand in marriage
to Charles H. Basford, only son of
Hon. Luther NJ. Basford, L~ancaster's
late ''Grand Old Man." This union
sweetened the whole life of Ocea. AMI
to her husband she was ever the bride
of his young manhood. To the letter
he fulfilled his marriage vow, ito
love honor and to cherish, for better,
for worse, in sickness and in health"
until. with his name the last upon
her lips, death did them part. In
the love and reverence of her husband
she vas blessed among women. Five
sons came to enhance the joys of
their home. The second, BERTHE, a
beautiful child at the age of eleven
and half months. was taken by the
Good Shepherd to the upper fold.
The parents made their home at Glen
Haven since their marriage until the
year 1884, when they removed to this
city, where they have continued to re-
side and where both have been
identified among the most prominent
and progressive business and social
circles. Their elegant residence with
its ideal hospitality-has been a place
of many rare enjoyments. The manly
boys reared in courtesy aud honor to
the parents, with them were ever
ready to extend the "hand-clasp warm
and tender.
With the gifts that love can render
And the glance of friendly eyes,
Mrs Basford had been an Eastern
Star, and a member of the W. R. G.
She was for many years treasurer in
the Rebekah Lodge. She was d charter
member and fret Oracle of the Royal
Neighbors, and has continued an
officer since its organization in 1899.
She was a beneficial member of thai
order.
She was the first Nest Excellent
Chief of Calanthe Temple, No. 2,
Lancaster Pythian Sisters, and has
held consecutive office ever since, be-
ing Mistress of Finance at the time of
demise. She was Grand Chief of the
State of Wisconsin for two terms,
Ocea Temple No II, Madison was
named in honor Of her. From this
enviable position Mrs. Bastord was
elected to the still greater honor of
Supreme Mistress of Finance a posi-.
tion, not easily attained and of which
honor her hosts of friends are justly
proud. She continued to be unanimous
~ chosen and in August last, by vote
of the convention at Denver, entered
upon the ninth year of incumbency
in the high office. Her allegiance
and worthiness are attested by the
following messages of coincidence and
love:
Office of Mrs. Ida NJ. johnson,
Supreme Chief Pythian Sisters.