Melissa Clarke was born at Lorraine, N. Y., July 4, 1838, and entered into rest October 13, 1914, aged 76 years, 3 month and 9 days.
She was the fifth daughter in the family of Elnathan and Maria Spencer Clarke. In this family were four sons and seven daughters. One brother was the Rev. Joshua Clarke so well known as a preacher and pastor. Of that large family of children only one remains, the oldest daughter, Mrs. Mary Langworthy of Milton Junction.
In 1856 when Melissa was about eighteen years of age she and her sister Louise, afterwards Mrs. Hamilton Hull, came from Brookfield, N. Y., alone to Wisconsin. Previous to her western trip she attended De Ruyter Institute at De Ruyter, N. Y. After her arrival in Wisconsin she took up further study in Milton Academy in preparation for teaching.
In 1861, Oct. 9, she was married at Dakota, Wis., to John Eggleston, who shortly after their marriage enlisted in the Union Army in the Civil War. He came home from the War broken in health and lived only a short time. Besides his wife he left a little daughter Nellie who died at the age of thirteen.
On August 26, 1868, Melissa was married to George N. Coon. They began their home-making on Rock River road where they resided until they removed to Milton Junction in 1881. To this happy union was born one son, Dr. George F. Coon of Milton Junction. Mr. Coon passed into the life beyond in 1886.
In September of 1890 Mrs. Coon was married to Amos S. Crandall who now almost in sight of his ninety second birthday mourns the departure of his devoted companion and is only waiting till God bids him 'come home.'
Mrs. Crandall early in life, possibly at twelve years of age, in a revival meeting gave her heart to the Saviour and became a baptized believer in her Lord. While she and Mr. Coon lived on Rock River they became constituent members of the Milton Junction S. D. B. church in whose fellowship they lived and worked until their death.
Mrs. Crandall was deeply interested and an earnest worker in the Christian work of the church. She will be missed by her co-workers in the Ladies Aid Society of which she was president for a time. Her genial life will be missed by a large circle of friends. Her happy earnest Christian spirit will remain as a benediction in the lives of her bereaved companion, her son and his family and many relatives and friends.
The farewell service was held at the late home of the deceased October 16 and were conducted by her pastor Rev. Henry N. Jordan. Burial was in the cemetery in Milton Junction.
