Sarah Herrold Lane Mitchell

HERROLD, LANE, MITCHELL, LANE

Posted By: Marlene K. Skalberg (email)
Date: 4/8/2018 at 19:18:44

Sarah Ellen Herrold was born July 18th, 1855 near Danville, Illinois and departed this life at her home in Prescott, Iowa, December 18, 1828, aged 73 years and 5 months. In March 1871 she was married to Elijah Lane. Four children were born to this union and only one Frank Lane of Prescott survives the mother. The others are Ariel, who died in infancy, Floyd at the age of 6, and Mrs. Flora Stone who passed away in 1911. The family came from Illinois to Iowa in 1877 and located on a farm north of Prescott. Two years later she was left a widow and for several years faithfully carried on the work of the farm. Coming to Prescott some time later, by hard work and good management she gave her two remaining children the benefit of a public school education. In March 1903 she was married to Lewis C. Mitchell of Masena and helped him raise his family of small children, all of whom loved her like a mother. Mr. Mitchell passed away in 1909 and in 1917 she again came to Prescott to make her home, Over 40 years ago Mrs. Mitchell was converted and became a member of what is now known as the Old Mt. Zion Church and has lived a faithful and exemplary Christian life. She is survived by her son, Frank of Prescott, an adopted daughter, Eta of Charles City, four grandchildren and one great grandchild, also one brother, John Herrold of Utica, Nebraska, a half brother Arthur Blackburn of utica and a half sister, Mrs. Mary West of Indiana.
It is difficult to relate in a few words the history of the life of this good woman. Although modest and unassuming, she had the courage of a Spartan. Coming here as a girl and making a home on what was then Iowa prairie. Beret of her companion intro short years. She carried on being obliged to leave her little brood in the house while she did the farm work and cared for the stock. Many times her work kept her outside until after sundown and not daring to leave a light lit, the children might not be careful, she bade them wait until she was through, then hurrying to the house she would see the little faces at the window looking for mother. She was a fine example of the pioneer mother, generous, kind hearted, cheerful, always ready to help a friend or neighbor in need, never too weary to stop and help during sickness or distress and no one ever heard her speak of sacrifice or called for help in vain.
Mother Mitchell was ready to go to her reward. She had said frequently during the past year that her work here was done and she was anxious to join the loved ones gone before.
Good women are not forgotten. The curtain of night has been drawn, but the deeds of love and self effacement which mother’s never forget deepen the esteem of those who mourn and firmly entrench inner hearts their memory. The fragrance of their life will always be an incense of love, their virtue a precious odor.
Women like Mother Mitchell leave a beneficent upon our lives and for the womanhood, wifehood, and mother-hood, whom she touched she refined. Verify, “She hath done what she could and her children shall rise up and call her blessed. The shadows shall disappear, the sunlight will return, and into Eternity the star of hope shall shine brighter and brighter into the perfect day.”
Servan of God, well done!
The glorious warfare’s past.
The battle’s fought, the race is won,
And thou art crowned at last”
Funeral services were held Thursday at the Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. C. B. Guest. The singing was furnished by a mixed quartette: Virgie Wilson, Miss Eva Wood, Martin Bell, and Wm. Perkins, Mrs. Frank Brandt, pianist. There were large attendance of friends at the church and the floral offerings were beautiful. Interment was made in East Prescott Cemetery.
Adams County Free Press, Friday, December 28, 1928, page 15