Person:Harriet French (1)

Newspaper Articles

Obituary from Bradshaw Republican (Bradshaw, Nebraska) 3 Sep 1904:

MRS. AUSTIN LINSLEY PASSED AWAY AT BRADSHAW

Harriet Eliza French was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, March 17, 1836. She was brought by her parents to Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1839. There she grew to womanhood. She received her education in the common schools and the Batavia Institute. She began teaching when eighteen years of age. Taught sixteen years in Illinois and one year in Iowa. Came to Nebraska in 1870. She taught one term near Milford the winter of 1870 and 1871. She taught the first term of school that was taught in this vicinity in 1872 in a dug out near Lincoln Creek.

Miss French was married to Austin Linsley August 11, 1872. One only child was born to them, Mrs. Lita Steadman. Mrs. Linsley was religiously inclined. At the age of nineteen she united with the Presbyterian church at Lena, Illinois. Coming to Nebraska she became one of the eight charter members of the Presbyterian church of York. When the Congregational church of Bradshaw was organized she became a member of it and was secretary for a number of years. After the terrible cyclone that wrecked Bradshaw this church disbanded and she gave her letter in to the Congregational church at York. Mrs. Linsley was a sufferer for many years. Her attending physician when asked if there was no hope said: "No, she is nearing the end of a long and hard fought battle."

As a teacher she was firm, thorough and energetic, a friend to every young person that came under her influence. She was for many years a teacher in the Sabbath school.

She was always greatly interested in temperance work. As a member and officer of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, she was helpful and earnest, ready and willing to do all that her feeble strength would allow. She had high ideals of what life ought to be, and was ever ready to do all in her power toward the up-lifting of mankind.

She leaves to mourn for her a kind husband, a daughter, two little grandchildren, one sister and three brothers, besides nephews and nieces who loved and will mourn for her and many other relatives and friends who will long remember her in loving kindness.

Mrs. A. Linsley, one of the first residents of this community died Saturday afternoon, after a lingering illness of many years. The funeral took place at the family residence at 10:30 a.m., Monday, conducted by Rev. J. W. Lewis of the Methodist church, assisted by Elder T. B. McDonald of the Christian church. The funeral was largely attended by the many friends of the deceased. The floral offerings were most beautiful and elaborate. Mrs. Linsley, during her lifetime was a devoted over of flowers and often expressed the wish that when her body should be laid to rest it might be covered with flowers-it was done.

Relatives in attendance from abroad were as follows: Mrs. George Steadman of Sutherland, Mr. George French of Milford, Mr. and Mrs. N. M. Ferguson and Herbert Ferguson of York, Mrs. A. Powel, jr., of St. Edward, Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith of York, and Mrs. Geo. Standing of Benedict.

The friends desire to extend their thanks to all for their kind sympathy and assistance in the hour of sickness, death and burial, and especially to those who furnished the singing. The songs selected were especial favorites with the deceased and were as follows: "One Sweetly Solemn Thought," "The Home of the Soul," and "Nearer My God to Thee." The remains were laid to rest in the Bradshaw cemetery. The sorrowing friends and relatives have the unbounded sympathy of all in their bereavement.-Bradshaw Republican.