Remebering Five Wars

FAWCETT, STRATTON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/19/2006 at 10:56:45

Remembrances of five wars are recalled by West Branch women

WEST BRANCH - Two women living in West Branch have the distinction of seeing the United States participate in five different wars during their lifetime. It is not a distinction to be coveted but apparently Mrs. Mary Fawcett and Mrs. Priscilla Stratton, the oldest citizens in West Branch, are destined to live the first and waning years of their lives amid war and rumors of war.

Mrs. Fawcett is 95 years old, having been born August 1, 1846. Mrs. Stratton will be 95 in March, having been born March 8, 1847. Both are native Ohioans and of the Quaker origin.

The Mexican War began in 1846 and the peace treaty between the United States and Mexico was signed and ratified in 1848.

The Civil War between the North and South, the Spanish American War and the two word wars have occurred within the spanning of their lives. During this near-century span the mechanics of war and the numbers involved have changed unbelievably. These women however assert that the human element is changeless. ~ From page 8 of the Muscatine Journal, Dec. 11, 1941