Emma Whitford Bentley, daughter of David and Orrilla Whitford, was born at Stephentown, N. Y., July 4, 1846.
Later her parents, with their family, removed to Berlin where on December 28, 1856, she, at the age of ten years, was baptized by Rev. L. C. Rogers and united with the Seventh Day Baptist Church of that place, of which her parents were members.
October 22, 1866, she was united in marriage to Mr. Caleb Bentley. He was not of Seventh Day Baptist parentage but, owing to her influence, he accepted the Sabbath and united with the church and about May, 1905, was ordained deacon, which office he faithfully filled until his earthly life work ended, August 25, 1927.
To this union were born five children: Mrs. Eva Armsby, Mrs. Elmer Hull, Arlie and William, all of Berlin, and Mrs. Clarence Rathbun of Hartford, Conn.
For many years she was deprived, by ill health, of meeting for public worship, yet she was true and faithful, always interested in the work of the church, and a liberal contributor to the work of the Ladies' Aid Society also. The loss of her companion of sixty-one years was a heavy blow from which she seemed unable to recover, and she longed for her Master s summons, which came in the early morn of December 30. When the earth was awaking to a new day, she awakened to the new life. She leaves to mourn her passing five children, fourteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Although gone from our sight, her influence will remain for years to come as she still lives in her family, which constitutes a large percent of the membership of the church she loved. Farewell services were held in the home January 1, her pastor, Rev. L. A Wing, officiating, and the remains were tenderly borne, by members of the family, to the Seventh Day Baptist cemetery, a short distance from the home, where interment was made.
G.
