The La Harper
La Harpe, Illinois
Friday
November 5, 1909
Page 1
Columns 1 & 2MRS. JAMES MAYNARD
Mary Emeline Comstock was born about two and a half miles east of LaHarpe, in LaHarpe township, January 4, 1854, and died at 10:40 o'clock Monday night, November 1, 1909, aged 55 years, 9 months and 27 days.
During the Civil war, while her father was in the army, the family lived in LaHarpe, but returned again to the old homestead after the war was over. She has lived in LaHarpe township all of her life. In childhood she attended the Comstock and Oak Hill schools in the country and in LaHarpe during the war. She grew to womanhood on the farm and always loved the untrammeled freedom of farm life.
On May 29, 1877 she was united in marriage at LaHarpe, Ill., to James Maynard, Rev. Wm. Wakefield of the Congregational church, officiating. To their union were born seven children, Charles, Mrs. Jessie Mooney, Fannie, Grace, Mrs. Mary Shriver, Dell and Blanche. Charles, Mrs. Mooney and Dell were in Canada at the time of their mother's death; Grace was in Abingdon, Illinois. Besides these children and her devoted husband, Mrs. Maynard leaves one brother, Frank Comstock, now of Ewing, Mo., and a host of loyal friends, who today share the sorrow of these bereaved ones.
Mrs. Maynard was a member of the Congregational church of LaHarpe for more than 36 years, having joined the church on April 13, 1873. She was always interested and active in any duties which would further the progress of the church. Her life was one of loving service, without ostentation. It is in the home where she will be most sadly missed. Every room in the home speaks of mother, and her handiwork everywhere bears witness to her love and devotion to home. That her heart and home were ever open to her friends could be attested by all -- young and old -- who have known her generous hospitality. Why should mother be taken? is the unanswered question that comes now to the members of this home, who will
"Long for the touch of a loving hand
And the sound of a voice that is still."Mother has gone over the threshold into the other room. "You are apart, yet not afar; only a thin veil hangs between the paths where we are, and God above is keeping watch."
In His own time He will answer this question for you. Now He bids you wait a little longer this side the threshold, with the full assurance that His way is best, and that He has gone to prepare a place for you, and that in the Father's house are many mansions.
Another tie now binds our hearts to the unseen world. Truly, we know not what a day may bring forth.
Mrs. Maynard was sick only a little over four days -- from Thursday afternoon until Monday night. How it all admonishes us to be serious, to be earnest, and above all to be faithful, that at last at our final summons, when our Lord shall say, "It is enough," we too, may present a good account to Him to whom we are accountable.
The funeral will be held Saturday morning at 10 o'clock at the Congregational church, Rev. Sheldon officiating, assisted by Rev. Dark.
Parents: William Nelson Comstock & Sarah Nutt
