Person:Lydia Coon (2)

Lydia (Coon) Saunders 1802-1897 "The Milton Journal", Milton, Wisconsin, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1897, p 1. Mrs. Saunders, the oldest person in the town of Milton, died at her home near Rock River, Nov. 30, 1897, in the 96th year of her age. She was the daughter of Stephen and Sarah Coon, was born in Petersburg, N. Y., and moved to Alfred, N. Y., when she was 12 years old. At the age of 21 years she was married to Mr. Christopher Saunders, with whom she moved to Wisconsin in 1844, settling upon the farm where she died as above noted. The eldest of six daughters born to them died 12 or 15 years ago, the other five survive her. Mr. Saunders died about 30 years ago. Mrs. Saunders was the last of her family several of whom were among the early settlers of Wisconsin. One sister was the wife of Jesse Saunders and another was the wife of Duty Green both of whom were old residents of Albion; a third was the wife of Henry Green whose early Wisconsin home was in the same neighborhood as the Saunders home at Rock River, and later in the village of Milton; and a brother of hers was the father of the late G. N. Coon, of Rock River and of the Rev. A. W. Coon, known in Milton 50 years ago as having some connection with the beginnings of the Milton academy which afterwards grew into the Milton College. Children of all these families, in some cases to the second and third generations, were present at the funeral which was held at the church at Rock River, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Platts of Milton. In every new country, when comforts and conveniences are few, and luxuries are conspicuous by their absence, neighbor depends upon neighbor for help in times of sickness and sorrow, such as in later times can be procured through the services of the skilled physician or trained nurse; and among the neighbors of any such community there are always a few who are gifted with an instinct which knows when and where such help is needed, and who are always on hand with loving and tender ministries. Such, in her day, was "Aunt Lydia." How much any community owes to such an one, the present generation, with its changed conditions of society, can never know. In her later years, in comparative helplessness, she was tenderly and affectionately cared for by three of her daughters who still live at the old home. When but 14 years of age she became a member of the First S. D. B. church of Alfred, changed her membership to Milton in 1844, and became a constituent member at Rock River in 1856. Thus for more than 81 years she has been a faithful disciple of Jesus and a member of the S. D. B. church.

Census: 1880 Milton, Rock Co., Wisconsin; age 76 Cause of death: Pneumonia

1. ↑ Sanford, Ilou M; New York) Seventh Day Baptist Church (Alfred; and Frank L Greene. First Alfred Seventh Day Baptist Church membership records, Alfred, New York, 1816-1886. (Bowie, Maryland: Heritage Books, c1995).
2. ↑ The Sabbath Recorder . (New York City, New York; later Plainfield, N. J.)
   p. 804, December 20, 1897.

   One daughter m. Stephen Boss; another daughter m. Abel Bond; another daughter m. Lewis Bond; two daughters are unmarried.