Harriet Auxer was one of the older sisters of my great-great grandmother, Catharine Auxer Niess. She was one of the two girls that never married and remained in the family home until their deaths. This was her parent's home, and later became the home of her niece, Catharine Niess Houseal, and her family. The only obituary I have found is from the Harrisburg Star Independent, Saturday March 12, 1891, page 8, column 3:
DIED AUXER-On Friday afternoon, the 11th inst., Harriet Auxer, in her 52nd year.
Funeral on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from her late residence, 407 Boas street. Relatives and friends are invited to meet attend without further notice.
The following notice of her death appeared in The Church Advocate, a publication of the Church of God on March 30, 1892:
AUXER-In Harrisburg, Pa., March 11, 1892, Sister Harriet Auxer, aged 51 years, 1 month and 11 days.Sister Auxer was awakened when quite young, at a meeting held at Bainbridge, Lancaster co.., by the writer, more than thirty years ago. Her struggle for deliverance from doubts was long and severe, but she finally accepted Christ as her personal Saviour, and enjoyed a clear consciousness of her acceptance. This clear consciousness made her whole after life one of good cheer, trust and brightness. Soon after her conversion she came, with her parents, to Harrisburg, where she was baptized by Elder A.X. Shoemaker, and united with the Fourth Street Church. Here she proved herself worthy the esteem and confidence of all who knew here. She labored faithfully in the Sunday school as a teacher. She was a zealous friend and ardent lover of the church and her doctrines. When she came down to the margin of the river, she found the waters divided for a free and easy crossing.
How blessed and peaceful is the death of those who live the life of the righteous. She left a large circle of friends to mourn her departure. They, however, sorrow not as those who have not hope.
One by one this family is being gathered home. How cheering that as they are gathered to the grave, they are also gathering to the heavenly throng. Geo. Sigler
The following probably appeared in a Church publication. I received it as a typewritten copy:
When Teacher Harriet Auxer fell asleep, this school as well as the church lost a very faithful worker and friend.
Sister Auxer, though but 51 years, 1 month and 11 days old on the 11th of March, 1892, when she passed to her reward, was one of the oldest members of this church and Sabbath school. The records show that she was admitted to membership here by Elder A. X. Shoemaker, January 18, 1863, on a certificate from the Mount Joy church dated December 23, 1861, thus indication of her abiding trust in the Master before she was 20 years old. She was baptized by Elder Shoemaker January 25, 1863. Thus she became a member of the church of God in Harrisburg when the name was not as poplular as it is now, when we had but one worshiping congregation, and indebtedness on this building of between $8,000 and $10,000, and less then 100 members, with a Sabbath School which did not nearly fill the lower room. Worse than all, a strenuous effort was being made at the time through the courts to take this church building from our poor but devoted membership. That was the period in this local church's history, when to remain a member was a daily self-sacrifice, and a life of continuous self-denial.
After the revival of the winter of 1864-65, the church seemed to take on new life, (the lamented Elder D.A. Laverty being the Pastor,) and there has been a gradual and healthy church growth in Harrisburg, almost continuously, ever since. Sister Auxer shared largely in this preliminary work, and in our church's sorest trials.
She was one of our first missionaries. Soon after the All Workers' Sabbath school was established in October, 1869, she became a teacher there, and with her brother Abram, and her sisters Susan and Sarah, did much toward building up that now prosperous church and Sabbath School. As early as 1872, she was the Superintendent of the Infant Department there, and afterwards filled the same office in connection with this school. She was also an active participant in the Sabbath school work at Nagle Street, more than once attending all three schools the same Lord's day. At that time the aggregate membership of the three exceeded one thousand, - officers, teachers and scholars. In all ladies' work connected with every department of the church Sister Auxer extended a helping hand, - quietly, effectively, without demonstration or display.
Declining health several years ago led to her relinquishment of some of the church's most arduous duties; but, nevertheless she remained a faithful teacher in this school, leading her class in the quiet though gentle way so characteristic of her all through life.
There were no slowly and solemnly tolling bells, or muffled drum beats when Sister Auxer's body was laid away: the hum of business did not cease; the stores of the city were not closed; the funeral procession was not marshalled by gaudily dressed horsemen, nor did footmen march with the arms of war reversed; there was the same clatter of horses' feet, and the same rumble of loaded conveyances, just after as before she left us; but there was just a deep sorrow in the home, and among her many friends, as though a queen had passed away. But we believe elsewhere there was joy - joy with two departed brothers, and a sainted father and mother, and all the heavenly host when one of the 12 gates of pearl was opened to let our sister in.
This was sent to me by another Auxer family researcher. She had transcribed it from the original. It must have appeared in a Harrisburg newspaper. At first I thought it was wrong when it said she had a daughter in Altoona, but now I'm sure that Mary E. Keefer was her daughter. If this is a line that interests you, contact me for the details and my reasoning!
ILL FOR A Long timeYesterday afternoon occurred the death, after a long illness with catarrhal trouble, of Mrs. Harriet Auxer, at her late residence, No. 407 Boas Street. Deceased was in her 52nd year, and a member of the Fourth Street Church of God. One daughter, Mrs. Dr. Keefer of Altoona, survives. The funeral will take place Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
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