Catherine Saunders Reynolds was born in Berlin, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1812, and died in Milton, Wis., March 26, 1904, aged 92 years, 1 month and 25 days. Her parents' families were early settlers in Rensselaer County, N. Y., her maternal grandfather, Dea. John Green, being one of the families which came into the little Hoosick Valley from Rhode Island during the Revolutionary war. The ancestors of Eld. William Satterlee was another of these families who sought, by removal, to escape the devastations of war.
Mrs. Reynolds was the youngest of four daughters, the mother dying when she was but eight days old. Among the descendants of these older children are several families in Nortonville, Kan., - Perry, Maris, Griffin, - some of whom are known in Milton. After some time the father married again, and four children were born of this union. The eldest of these was Dea. Truman Saunders who died in Milton some years since and whose children, Mrs. A. R. Crandall, Rev. E. B. Saunders, and others are well known here; the second - a daughter, married a man by the name of Saunders, and is still living, in Peoria County, Ill., now the only surviving member of the family; the third was William Saunders, whose son, T. A. Saunders, and daughter, Mrs. E. H. Pullan, are residents of Milton; and the fourth, was the wife of Eld. Anthony Hakes, a pioneer minister of the Seventh-day Baptist faith in Fulton County, Ill., well known to many of the older inhabitants of Milton.
Aunt Catherine was married to Nelson Reynolds, at Berlin, N. Y., Jan. 1, 1835. To them were born four children - two sons and two daughters. One son died at 17 years of age, the other three survive their mother for whom they were permitted to tenderly care during her last, distressing illness. Mr. Reynolds died six years and two months ago, his funeral being attended in this room the 28th of Jan, 1898. They came west with the early migrations to Illinois, and about 1865 came to Wisconsin. Mr. Reynolds was a devoted Methodist and his wife as devoted Seventh-day Baptist, holding memberships in churches of that faith in her girlhood home, Berlin, N. Y., in the home where she was enjoyed the prime of life, West Hallock, Ill., and in the home from which she went to the home above, Milton, Wis., in all not less than 75 years.
Too much can hardly be said of Mrs. Reynolds' eminently Christian character. From her early conversion throughout her long, busy life there was no uncertainty as to its controlling power. Hers was the faith that never wavered; and by its steady light many, very many have been cheered on their way and have taken new heart in the midst of discouragement. It gave to her a constant and peculiarly sweet and serene cheerfulness in her bearing and conversation, and a word of suggestion or counsel expressed in her bright, sometimes quaint, way often bore fruit, manifold for the Master.
It has often been said that in former years, in the prayer meetings of her beloved church she was never absent and always took part in her cheerful, impressive way.
But it was in her own home that Aunt Catherine reigned a Queen among women; and here, during the past few years, her large circle of relatives and a much larger circle of friends who addressed her by this loving title have been strengthened for life's weariness by seeing how bravely she bore her own. Since physical weakness has increased and she has been confined to her chair she has been none the less a Queen. Many have said - "It is such a pleasure just to look at Aunt Catherine." The atmosphere of her whole life has been preserved to her until the end by the tenderest, most loving and thoughtful care - the complete devotion of the daughter who has given herself with unwearying watchfulness and solicitude to "Mother." In this labor of love, the other children of Aunt Catherine, Mr. Lyman Reynolds of Iowa, Mrs. C. A. Maxson of Rhode Island, and a granddaughter, Mrs. Kate Miller of Michigan together with kind neighbors and friends were permitted to share, at the last.
The funeral services were attended at the home, April 29th, conducted by the Pastor, Dr. Platts, assisted by President Daland of the College. Appropriate music was furnished by Prof. A. E. Whitford, assisted by Mrs. Kumlien, Mrs. Geo. R. Boss, and W. S. Wells, Pres. Daland presiding at the organ. Beautiful flowers bore their sweet and silent witness to the fragrance which the loving heart of Aunt Catherine had breathed into the hearts of all who knew her.
----------------
Among those from out of town who attended the funeral of Mrs. Catherine Reynolds Tuesday were: Messrs. C. E. Perry, H. B. Saunders and A. B. Saunders of Chicago; Mr. Hayner, Mrs. Florence Spencer, Mrs. Clara Wilson, Mrs. John Cunningham, Mrs. A. L. Burdick of Janesville; Joseph Green of Albion; Miss Esther Townsend of Clinton; Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Potter of Whitewater; Miss Nellie Townsend of Stoughton.
