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Catherine (Wolf) Browns

(yes, it does have an 's')

OBITUARY.

Mrs. Catherine Browns, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wolf, was born Nov. 15, 1835, and departed this life at her home in Highland township, Nov. 15, 1914, aged seventy-nine years. Her parents emigrated from Germany in 1833, settling first at Utica, N. Y., where Catherine, their fourth child, was born. In 1836, they moved to Maumee, Lucas county, and later, in 1839, to Henry county, where their family was reared.

In 1858, she was united in marriage to Carl C. Browns. To this union were born ten children, five boys and five girls, all of whom survive her. In 1859 they moved to Highland township, Defiance county, onto a farm one mile south of Ayersville. When they arrived here, the place was uncleared, awaiting the hard toil and personal privations of those early pioneer days. They labored together, and by industry and economy secured a home for themselves and provided for the welfare of a large family.

In September, 1885, death entered the home for the first time, and took the husband and father. This was a hard stroke and brought increased cares and responsibilities for the mother, but with the assistance of the elder children, she kept the family together and provided for them till they were all grown. Her unswerving devotion, motherly kindness, self-sacrificing love will be cherished in the hearts of her children as a precious memory.

As to her religious life, she began it early. She had the advantage of a Christian home; her father and mother were both earnest Christians. When but a girl, she gave Jesus her heart and her life to his service.  After her conversion, she united with the German Methodist church and remained a faithful member till her children were converted and united with the Mt. Calvary Evangelical church. She then transferred her membership, in order to be, as a family, in the same church, and thus it was that, in 1886, she united with the Evangelical church and has been a faithful member till her demise. She believed the Bible to be the unquestioned word of God, and never faltered in her reliance upon its preaching. Her religious life was marked by an even course, never demonstrative, butalways quiet and trustful. Her many acts of worship and deeds of love, performed in unconspicuous places, will be cherished by all who loved her, and rewarded by Him whom she loved to the end.

The last days of her life were full of sufferings, but she bore them uncomplainingly with Christian patience, and before her tranlation she expressed a desire to depart and be at home with Jesus. It can be truly said of her that she was a kind and obliging neighbor, a faithful wife, a gracious mother, and an earnest pious Christian. She lived but not in vain. She died in the triumph of a living faith.

Her husband, father and mother, one sister, one brother, and three grandchildren preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn, ten children; Mrs. Mary March, Mrs. Charlotte Smith, Mrs. Clara Kneese, Mrs. Catherine Miller, George Browns, William Browns, Benjamin F. Browns, of Ayersville, Charles Browns of Oakwood, Mrs. Elizabeth Hanna, of Evansport, Rev. P. Louis Browns of Wabash, Indiana, one brother, Philip Wolf of Pleasant Bend, two sisters, Mrs. Daniel Hornung of New Bavaria, Mrs. Jacob Wolf of Ayersville, sixteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

The funeral was conducted by Rev. F. L. Snyder, her pastor, at Mt. Calvary Evangelical Church, Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 17th. at two o'clock, the pastor taking for a text, Micah 4:12. She was laid to rest beside her husband in the Hill Cemetery.

CARD OF THANKS

we desire herewith to express our appreciation to the neighbors and friends for their sympathy and assistance during the illness, death and burial of our dear mother. We thank you all for your kindness.          The Children.

Submitted May 31, 2001 by Rex Browns

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