Lydia Larson 1848-1922

LARSON, SHARPLESS, MITCHELL

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/6/2018 at 09:05:56

9 February 1922 - West Branch Times

In the early dawn of Second Month, Fifth, Lydia G. Larson was called to her Heavenly Home. She had been a patient sufferer for almost five long months.

Lydia was the youngest of a family of ten children born to Septimus and Sarah Sharpless, three of whom were taken in infancy or early life and she was the last leaf on the family tree.

She was born near New Castle, Pa., 6th month, 25th, 1848 and came with her parents to Iowa when about four years of age, settling near Springdale, Iowa, on a farm which they bought from the government. At that time there were but two houses in West Branch.

She was united in marriage to Nicholas Larson, 4th month, 10th, 1878. To this union four children were born, the youngest, Evi S., being called when but two years of age to the bosom of Him who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me."

Three children, Saraetta Mitchell of LeRoy, Minn., Israel S. and Linden C. of West Branch, with their companions and fourteen grandchildren remain to share the loneliness with the bereaved husband, but truly they mourn not as those without hope.

Almost her last conscious thought was for her family, that they might all meet her in that Home above.

Her life was zealously given to the promotion of law enforcement, temperance and general uplift of humanity.

She sought to live ever consistent with the principles of the Society of Friends, of which she was a birthright member.

And near her heart was the love for our young people everywhere but most especially for those of her own community to whom she never lost an opportunity of speaking an encouraging word to help them walk in the footsteps of the Saviour.

She sought to help in all good things that could in any way be of a help or comfort to others and many there are who call her blessed and are thankful to have been in touch with her life and friendship.