Hancock County Historical Society
Carthage, IllinoisObit 1
Page 59Mrs. Samantha E. Blythe
Died -- At her home in LaHarpe, at 3:50 o'clock p. m., Saturday, Aug. 23, 1913, Mrs. Samantha Blythe, (widow of Geo. W. Blythe) aged 79 years, 2 months and 3 days.
The passing of this worthy woman takes from our midst one of our oldest residents. She had seen the changes from the wild prairies, where settlers were few, to the present day magnificent farms and luxurious homes, -- the many changes from the primitive ways to the modern ways, and hers has been a life of busy toil, of home-making and assisting and bringing about these wonderful changes. Mr. and Mrs. Blythe were permitted to walk together fifty-seven years and reared a family of sturdy boys and girls, who have taken their places in the busy work-a-day world and are prosperous men and women. There are thirty-five grandchildren living and twelve great-grandchildren. The children were all present at the funeral.
Samantha Harris was a native of Ohio where she was born June 20, 1834, and dated her residence in this vicinity from 1852 in which year her father's family came west with a party of pioneers from the Buckeye state. New Year's day, 1854, she was married to George W. Blythe and soon afterwards they purchased a small farm in Durham township which through hard work and frugality they paid for and later added more acres and took their places among the substantial farms of the community. About seven years ago they decided to retire from active labors and came to this city to reside. Mr. Blythe died August 24, 1911 since which time the widow has been tenderly cared for by her children.
Mr. and Mrs. Blythe were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom survive as follows: Cephas and John R., of White City, Kansas; Andrew, of Holden, Mo.; Nelson and Will S., of Colusa; Alfred, of Durham; Mrs. Iva Shutwell and Mrs. Hattie Williams, of La Harpe.
Funeral services were held at the M. P. church in the city Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. C. I. Hoy officiating. Burial in LaHarpe cemetery.
