The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
May 17, 1916
Page 1
Column 2Our community was greatly saddened and shocked by the passing away of one of our beloved friends and neighbors, Mrs. W. O. Couchman, Friday afternoon, about 2 o'clock, at her home four miles east of Bentley. Mrs. Couchman had been in poor health for several weeks, but we thought she was improving. For her a brighter sun was shining and she passed to the great beyond. Her funeral was held at the home Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial at Harmony cemetery. Miss Delia Couchman arrived from Seattle, Wash., Monday morning.
The Carthage Republican
Carthage, Illinois
Wednesday
May 17, 1916
Page 5
Column 6Eliza Dickinson Metcalf, the youngest daughter of William and Deborah Dickinson Metcalf, was born Dec. 6th, 1846, on a farm two miles southeast of Carthage, Illinois, and died at 1:30 p. m., May 13th, 1916, at her home four and one-half miles east of Bentley, Illinois, aged 69 years, 5 months and 7 days.
She grew to womanhood near Carthage, receiving her education in the Carthage schools.
On the 6th of December, 1868, her 22nd birthday, she was united in marriage to William Oscar Couchman of Carthage, in the old Methodist church of that city. The couple then moved to an unimproved farm, where they have since resided. Through industry and economy, they gained a comfortable home. Four children were born to this union, in order as follows: Adelia Rebecca, William Melgar, Martin Miller and Sarah Eulah, Melgar preceding his mother, after an illness of many months, June 12th, 1896.
After a painful illness of eight weeks duration, baffling medical skill and devoted nursing, she answered the summons, and passed to her heavenly home, "an house not made with hands," and there joined her loved ones who had gone on before. During her last days she repeatedly spoke of these loved ones and asked to be taken home.
Two brothers, died in infancy, the others, John Metcalf, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and five sisters, namely, Mrs. Ann Wilson, of Suisun City, Calif.; Mrs. Jane Maxwell, of Peoria, Illinois; Mrs. Sarah Stickle, of Macomb; Rebecca, who died in the old home, Mary E. Gloyd of Macomb and an adopted brother, William T., of Galesburg, Illinois, having preceded her. There remain to mourn her passing away, the husband and three children, a brother, Thomas W. Metcalf, of Carthage, Ill., and numerous relatives, friends and girlhood schoolmates.
In infancy Mrs. Couchman was baptized into the Methodist Episcopal church of Carthage, Ill., and soon after her marriage she united with the Elm Tree M. E. Church of the Bentley charge, remaining true to her church vows until her death. Her home was always open to the ministers in charge and her heart was in sympathy with all branches of church work. She was a loyal member of the Elm Tree W. C. T. U. and was superintendent of flower mission work for several years.
"We meet today, part tomorrow,
Smiles of joy, tears of sorrow,"
Of such is human life.Funeral services were held at the residence Tuesday, May 16th, at 2 p. m., conducted by the Rev. J. W. Ferris, pastor of Carthage M. E. Church. Burial at Harmony cemetery near Bentley.
The pallbearers were Arthur, Edwin and Fred Stickle, Oscar McElvain, Ira O'Harra and Norris Staat.
Those attending the funeral from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Ira J. O'Harra, Mr. and Mrs. O. M. McElvain of Bushnell, Arthur, Edwin and Fred Stickle of Macomb, Mr. and Mrs. Staat of Roseville and Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Metcalf of Carthage.
Card of Thanks.
The family wish to extend to their many friends their sincere thanks for the many acts of kindness and tokens of love shown in behalf or our stricken wife and mother.
W. O. Couchman and family.
