The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1920-01-07
GRAND L|FEV Z - : q J
CLOSES with
CLOSE OF YEAR
MRS. CATHARINE HILL, LIFE
LONG RESIDENT, DIES IN
OLD HOMESTEAD


With the close of the old year, on
December 81, 1919, in the old Boas
homestead, where so much of her life
was spent, the beautiful earthly exis-
lance of Mrs. Catharine Hill came to
\ its sudden close. She was the daugh-
ter of Levi and Ruth Ann Broas and
the granddaughter of Charles Broas
who was the first settler in this part
of the country, this side of Ionia. Mrs.
Hill was born, July 6, 1850. in the log
house which then stood across the road
from the location of the present home
which was built soon afterward. Here
she lived her childhood and young wo-
manhood. And after her marriage to
Henry Hill, November 8, 1869, they
still lived in that home until 1873.
Then removing to Greenville, where
Mr.. Hill was identified as cashier with
the old First National bank in the
business interests of that city. After
twenty years service his health fail
ed and they took up their residence
upon the farm i'm Orleans township,
where they lived until 1908 when they
returned to the old home in Belding.
Mr.. Hill dying there May Is, 1905.
The remainder of her life has been
lived in this city with her sister, Mrs.
Belle Mann, still in the home of her
childhood. Besides this sister she
leaves a son, Mr.. Charles HI. Hill, of
Lake Odessa and brother, Mr.. j.
Just Broas, of Bay City. The funeral
services were held at the home, Fri
day, January 2, the Rev. w. j. Rookie
pastor of the First Congregational
church of this city officiating. Mrs.
Edith Berry sang most appropriately
Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" In
terment was in River Ridge Cemetery
She was one Of the few remaining
charter members of the Ladies' Liter
airy Exchange club, established in this
city about twenty five years ago and
remained an active member untih the
day of her death.
What it has accomplished of good
for this community was due in no
small measure to the high ideals she
entertained as to the value of such
work and caring only for the best
i'm all the lines of club work, she in
stilled into the hearts and minds of
those organizing it and planning for
its future, some of the depths of her
own thought. Although she was not
a leader, being of an unassuming and
difficult nature, her influence helped
to put the club upon its present broad
and beneficial foundation.
She was also member of the La
dies Thimble Club og Belding, a So
cial organization established eight
years ago. And dear to the hearts of
its members has been the social in
tercourse and good fellowship with her
the lack of whose presence will be so
keenly felt.
"And though from out this bourne
of time and place. -. -"
The tide has borne her far"
The kindly influence of her exem-
plary life will still be felt, carried on
in the lives of those friends with whom
she was closely associated and who
knew her best.
She was a firm believer in the prin-
ciples of Christianity and right liv-
ing as laid down by the Divine Master
and in her life of truth and service,
she exemplifed his teachings in their
simplicity. fss ~a .
Love of God and a loving tolerance
toward humanity; enjoyment of ma
ture in all its various forms and man.
ifestations; keen delight in what is
best in religious thought and in art
and literature; strict integrity in all
her dealings with her fellow beings, a
high sense of honor and loyalty to her
friends sums up the character of this
splendid woman of pioneer \ stock.
whose whole life was animated and
guided always by principle.
Goodbye old friend, the day is done;
A boatman beckons from the pier.
Take passage as the shadows fall,
Set sail and have no fear.
"The world is better that you lived"
Go now and have no sorrow;
Assured that those who loved you
here
Will meet you there-tomorrow.