The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1917-12-06
EL|zAJ. AYERS WAS EAR.
Ly HEPPNER RESIDENT

Eliza ]. Ayers died at her home in
this city on Thursday, November 20,
1917, at the advanced age of 81
years, months and 26 days, follow
ing an illness of several months dur
alton and the direct cause of death
being a hardening of the arteries. At
the time of her death, Mrs. Ayers was
in the full possession of all her facul-
ties and her mind remained bright
and active, the end coming t O her
peacefully.
Mrs. Ayers was one of the earliest
pioneers of this town and county.
Having been widowed when a COM
paratively young woman, and being
left with but little of this worlds
goods and large family to support,
she proved her substantial pioneer
stock by not only we'll caring for her
family and seeing that they were pro-
perly raised, but in the meantime ac-
cumulating a competence that was
sufficient to care for her In the declin-
ing years and she died possessed Of
considerable property, all of which is
located in Heppner.
Mrs. Ayers was faithful member
Of Ruth Chapter No. 80, Order Of
Eastern Star. and had filled many i'm
portant stations in the local lodge Of
that order. She was but recently
confirmed as member of the Epis-
copal church. en- the occasion of the
last visit of Bishop Paddock to this
city. For many years prior to this
Mrs. Ayers had been member of the
Baptist church. She was known to
everyone as a woman that was kind
and considerate of the rights and de-
sires of others and a strong and up
right character in this community.
Eliza j. Greenwood YVES born at
Burlington, Iowa, April 3, 1886, and
in 1848 crossed the plains with her
parents, William and Elizabeth Jane
Greenwood who settled on donation
claim on Howell Prarie, not far from
the present city of Salem. She was
first married to Israel Shaw, of How
ellis Prarie, Dec 1, 1851, whose
death occurred May /, 1852. Oct. !,
1854 she was married to Harvey
Smith, and they settled at Brooks
Station, near Salem. Mr.. Smiths
father. Nathan Smith, was the foan-
tder of Brooks. In 18Th they moved
to Eastern Oregon and settled on q
farm on Hinton creek about four
miles East of Heppner, where they
continued to reside until Mr.. Smiths
death, June 20, 1878. Following
this, she moved to Heppner and for a
number of years conducted the hotel
and stage station here. Her duties
Required that she work carly and late,
and for many years the struggle was
a very hard one.
To Mr.. and Mrs. Smith seven chill
dren were born. These are Mrs. Jose
phine Farwood of Sumpter, Ore, Mrs.
Pauline Quad of Portland, Mrs. C. S.
Van Duyn of Spokane, Wash, Mrs.
ola Swinburne, Mrs. Ava Thornton
and Charley H. Smith, deceased. DR..
Ralph C. Swinburne, of Seattle, Wn.,
and Raymond and Greenwood
|. Thornton of this city are the surviv-
ing children of the deceased members
of the family.
Mrs. Smith was united in marriage
to Thomas w. Ayers of Heppner, at
, Portland, Oregon, September 6, 1888,
, and this happy relation was contin-
ued until the death of Mr.. Ayers
,, August 2S, 1909. Mrs. Ayers had
, been a continuous resident of Hepp-
ner ever since moving here.
Funeral services were held at Ma
sonic hall on Saturday afternoon, be-
ing under the direction of the Order
of Eastern Star. Rev. H. A. Noyes
delivered suitable funeral sermon
and this was followed by the beauti-
full burial service of the order. A
choir composed of Mr.. and Mrs. Roy
e Cochran, Miss Muriel Cason and Mr.
e NJ. d. Clark, with Mrs. N. E. Winnard
/, at the piano, sang several beautiful
/, hymns. A large gathering of friends
: and neighbors of the deceased were
:. present to pay their last tribute OF
: respect to the departed Interment
!. was in the family plot at Masonic
: cemetery.