Elizabeth E. Bostwick, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Elizabeth E. Bostwick
DEATH OF MRS. BOSTWICK.
Mrs. Elizabeth E. Bostwick passed to a higher life Thursday, August 30th, 1888, aged 81 years.
The funeral was held at the M. E. church Sunday morning, conducted by Rev. A. H. DeLong, pastor of the church. Services were opened by singing the hymn -- "Asleep in Jesus." Rev. J. L. Smith, presiding elder of this district, preached an able and impressive sermon from the text, "I know that my Redeemer liveth," after which Mr. DeLong, in loving, tender words, paid a just tribute to the deceased.
The funeral was very largely attended, the floral offerings (mute tokens of love and esteem which filled all hearts) were profuse and beautiful. Circumstances rendered it impossible for her children to be present during her brief illness, or at the funeral; but kind friends ministered to every want, and, with sorrowing hearts, watched her gently sink into dreamless slumber. Loving hands tenderly prepared her for the tomb, and the community weeps that our loved Mrs. Bostwick is no more.
Her graces of mind and heart made her presence a pleasure alike to the high and to the lowly -- the grieved and sorrowing ever found her sympathy and comfort -- the suffering poor generous aid. It can truly be said of her the world is the better for her having lived in it. Mrs. Bostwick has lived in Chesterton twenty-eight years, and the high regard in which she was held by all was evidenced by the sad faced above her coffin as the people gave their last farewell at the church.
We must learn to live without her, but it will be very, very hard.
Mrs. Bostwick was the daughter of Captain Samuel Eldredge, and was born at Suffield, Conn., March 16, 1807. She was married to J. B. Bostwick on January 19, 1837. The union was a happy one, and in love and harmony they traveled life's highway together -- one in heart and purpose, and for fifty-four years of mingled sun and shade they rejoiced and grieved together; meeting life's adversities with unfailing hope and courage, and meekly bearing its sorrows in silent fortitude. They were worthy each other, and their wedded life has been a bright example of the beauty of a perfect marriage.
They have three children, the eldest a daughter, Mrs. St. Clair, now traveling in Europe; the second, a son, ex-Senator J. W. Bostwick, of Denver, Colorado, now heavily engaged in mining; the third, a son, S. E. Bostwick, also of Colorado, successfully engaged in stock raising. The children are an honor to their parents -- higher praise could not be given.
Mrs. St. Clair, whose return is now anxiously expected by her sorrowing father, it is thought will remove her mother to Kansas City. Mrs. St. Clair's home is there, and she will want her father to spend the remainder of his days with her. Perhaps this will be for the best, but their lives have been so closely interwoven with the hopes and interests of Chesterton's citizens that we are loth to let them go.
If Mr. Bostwick decides to remain ith us it will be our joy to tenderly watch over his declining years, with loving care and sympathy strive to lighten his heavy sorrow; and when the Master calls him home -- with tears and blessings we would lay his body on the side of hers whom, in life he so well loved.
Perhaps it will not be inappropriate to republish here a tribute here to Mr. and Mrs. Bostwick, written for THE TRIBUNE by a friend two years ago:
"A parlor in a New England home half a century ago. A small company of guests is there assembled, to witness the marriage of the daughter of the house to the man of her choice. Other suitors have sued for that fair hand -- some that, in a wordly point of view, perhaps more elegible; but in the eyes of this maiden in all the world there was not one so noble, good and so worthy as this -- the man whom, with her love, she had crowned king of her heart. No was she deceived. In all the attributes of a true and noble manhood, he is the peer of any in the land. Neither is she, this young queen whom he so devoutly worships, les worthy of praise. Nature has been most lavish in endowing heart, mind, and intellect with her choicest gifts. She is a fitting companion for him who has chosen her, above all others, to rule in his heart and home. It is a love-matched consumated on earth, and sanctioned in heaven. And now the marriage is over, and she goes forth -- this cherished daughter -- goes from the home of loving parents, brothers, and sisters, from the society of friends and acquaintances, into a far-off land of strangers, to her husband's home. But she goes willingly, aye cheerfully, for is not that husband more to her than all the world beside? Truly she has foresaken all, and followed him. They begin a new life now. Behind lies the happy Past, before them the glowing Future, with them in the enchanting Present, -- and over all, the crown and glory of a true marriage, the benediction of wedded love.
Successes crown their undertakings, and affluences smiles upon them. Children are born to them -- true types of the father's nobility of manhood == the mother's grace of womanhood. Peace sits at their board, and contentment's home is under their roof. But life's current is not always to run smoothly along -- adversity come -- fire devours their home, yet nothing daunted, they live, they labor, they love. Again success crowns their efforts, and again fure devours their substance. Affliction's hand is laid upon them; a son, a lovely little boy, is taken, they yield submissively. Sickness protrates them but hope and courage never fail. They now seek a home farther west. They embark on Lake Erie -- a storm arises, and, to ensure the safety of the boat, their household goods are consigned to the waves. To the wife, this is the severest of any loss of property she has yet sustained. No time to search out cherished keepsakes -- all must go. Relics of girlhood, and maidenhood gifts of loved friends, now no more, all go down together. New difficulties, new trials await them in the west. Sickness again attacks them and their children and a long and weary battle is waged for the mastery. Again they triumph and once more health and happiness abide with them, and prosperity attends their footsteps. Through all their trials, faith and hope have been their companions, and the darkest pathway has been illuminated by the torch of love. Minds unclouded -- intellect strong as ever -- hearts light and cheerful, they are, as they have ever been, the life of any company they happen to be in. Fifty-two years they have traveled together life's pathway, and their journey draws to a close. The shadow begin to lengthen, the sun is low down in the west, but the evening is magnificent. The few fleecy clouds floating in the western horizon, only seem to make the sunset more glorious. It has been a long, bright day. Clouds have at times overshadowed, but love's sunlight has dispersed the gloom, and contentedly, hopefully, they await the night. "The silence and forgetfulness, the sleep that hath no dream." They do not dread the brief sleep, for already, afar off, they see gleams of light on the hill tops, and they know when night falls here, it will be sunrise on the hills of Judea."
Newspaper: The Tribune
Date of Publication: September 6, 1888
Volume Number: 5
Issue Number: 21
Page: 1
Column(s): 3 and 4
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook