In Farina, Ill., April 8, 1916, Mrs. Adeline West Maxson, in the eighty-sixth year of her age.
Mrs. Maxson was born in Grafton, N. Y., September 2, 1830. She was the oldest daughter of Rev. Amos West and Lois Davison West. She had one sister, Abigail, who was the wife of Rev. C. M. Lewis, besides three half-sisters all of whom some years ago passed on to their reward. When she was four years old her mother died, and she with her sister was left to care for themselves, her father, who had consumption, soon going west. For a number of years she worked in a cotton factory in Hoosick Falls, and then went to Bennington. She had very little opportunity for an education.
She and her sister finally went to North Adams, Mass., where, in 1848, she was married to George R. Bly. Mr. Bly lived only a year and a half after their marriage. The young widow then went to Adams, N. Y., where, in 1853, she was married to Lorenzo H. Maxson. In February, 1854, they moved to Walworth, Wis. Their only child, Charles W. Maxson, was born May, 1856.
In 1865 they located at Farina in order to escape the cold winters of Wisconsin. They were among the early settlers, coming before scarcely any of the prairie was broken. They had their share of sickness and hardships, but they had the privilege of helping to develop a country which we are proud of today. They were here at the organization of the Farina Church in April, 1866, and with forty five others became constituent members. Mr. Maxson, being a carpenter, helped to build the church building which is still in use. Mr. Maxson died November 12, 1904, at the age of 88 years.
Mrs. Maxson has lived a consistent Christian life many years. She was a very lovable woman, always with a cheerful smile and a pleasant word. She enjoyed life very much but was ready to go when the Lord called her. A friend in writing of her death said, "To know her was to love her, to have daily converse with her was education, to go to her in trouble was a benediction. Where is another like her, so ready in help and sympathy, so unfailingly cheerful, and upon whose life is the law of charity?"
She loved nature, which was very apparent by her garden and her knowledge of birds. She was a grandmother to all the community and her many friends and neighbors will miss her.
The funeral services were held at the Seventh Day Baptist church of Farina, Ill., Monday afternoon, April 10, conducted by Pastor L. O. Greene. She was laid to rest in the Farina Cemetery. L. O. G.
