Obituary of Lydia (Hollingshead) Vaughn

Last Updated 9/1/00

From Bureau County Republican (Princeton, IL), Thursday, March 26, 1908:

MRS. THOMAS E. VAUGHN

    Mrs. Lydia Jane Hollingshead Vaughn was born in Belmont county, Ohio May 18, 1839. She came with her parents to Bureau county when eight years of age. Of her parents' family, two sisters, one half sister and four half brothers survive her.
    Miss Hollingshead was married to Thomas Earl Vaughn November 3, 1855, and they began active life in home building on the 80 acres lying east of the present homestead at Wyanet into which they moved the 6th of December, 1870. As the years passed, children, like olive plants, increased about their table, until twelve graced the board and filled the home with sunshine incident to life on the farm. Two of the children, Maggie Vaughn Smith and Lillian Vaughn Markley, passed on to the better land before the mother. Nine years ago the 9th of February, her husband passed away.
    Mrs. Vaughn's illness was of long duration. Fourteen years ago she became afflicted with rheumatism, which developed into an arterial form and was extremely painful at times. Twelve years ago walking became an impossibility and a wheel chair was secured which afforded change of position and some relief from the monotony of indoor life, and with occasional carriage rides as oportunities offered.
    As the years passed by, the home comings of children and grandchildren were greatly enjoyed. Last Christmas day children and grandchildren, thirty in all, gathered in the home. There were sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Something like forty years ago Mrs. Vaughn with her husband cast their lot with the people of God and united with the M. E. church, and the later years showed a ripening of the Christian graces in the sweetness of disposition and patience with which her suffering was borne, and the lively interest in all that related to bringing the children, one and all, into the fold of Christ. The end came March 11, 1908, to the earthly way at the brink of the river, the good-byes were said and mother entered "the craft with the boatman pale," and passed beyond our sight to the enternities shore; to see, to enjoy the presence and blessings of Him who brough life and immortality to light in His gospel.
    The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Pinkney, of the Wesleyan church, assisted by Rev. Bellamy, of the M. E. church of Wyanet, at the home at 1 o'clock and at Wyanet M. E. church at 2:30 p.m. The burial was at Forest Hill cemetery, Wyanet. A large concourse of friends and relatives gathered to pay their tribute of respect to the departed. Peace to her memory.

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