HARTSHORN, Betsy (SPEAR)

SPEAR, HARTSHORN, NOBLE, RUSSELL, HODGE, NELSON

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/25/2017 at 01:15:08

Obituary ~ Betsy (Spear) Hartshorn
August 06, 1809 ~ October 14, 1899

Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

IN MEMORIUM

Sleep beloved,
Sleep and take thy rest,
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviors breast,
Good night, Good Night!

Calm is thy slumber as an infant sleep,
But thou shall wake no more to toil and weep,
Thine is a perfect rest secure and deep,
Good Night! Good Night!

Until the shadows from the earth are cast,
Until He gathers in His sheaves at last,
Until the twilight gloom be ever past,
Good Night! Good Night!

Until the Eastern glory lights the skies,
Until the dead in Jesus arise,
And He shall come, but not in lowly guise,
Good Night! Good Night!

Until we meet again before the throne,
Clothed in the sleepless robe he gives His own,
Until we know we even as we are known,
Good Night! Good Night!

So ended the pure life of Grandma Hartshorn at 90 years of age, Monday at the home of her son-in-law J. J. Russell on East State Street. She was conscious up to with in 30 minutes of her death and with a clear mind stated over and over again she was ready to depart for her heavenly home, for with her there was no fear of the future.

The deceased, Betsy Spear Hartshorn, was born at Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., August 6th, 1809, the daughter of Elijah and Betsy (Noble) Spear. She was married to George Hartshorn, Milton, (Wayne Co.), Ohio, Nov. 10th, 1831. To them were born six children four of whom are now living: Mrs. J. J. Russell of this city, B.F. Hartshorn of Walker (Cass Co.), Minn. formerly an attorney of this city and elected Senator of this District, Mrs. L. A. Hodge of Olathe, (Johnson Co.), Kan. and Mrs J. A. Nelson of Spirit Lake, (Dickinson Co.), IA.

In 1864 they moved to Mason City IA. and in 1869 removed to Kansas where a year later the Rev. Geo. Hartshorn died and soon after Grandma returned to her daughter's home Mrs J. J. Russell where she has lived since an honored and beloved member of the household, Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812 and her grandfather was in the Revolutionary War. Grandma Hartshorn was present at the birth of Gen. Custer on Dec 6, 1839. She dressed this young stranger upon his arrival in the world. Mrs. Custer and Mrs. Hartshorn were warm friends.

The Funeral services were held at the M. (Methodist) E. Church Wednesday at 2:30 P.M. conducted by Rev. Clinton, assisted by Rev. Chaffe of the Baptist church. Rev. Clinton spoke very touchingly of her of her grand Christian character. In conclusion the choir sang "I'm Going Home to Die No More," a favorite song of her's.

The following is a writing she wrote at 83 years of age and was found among her old papers. Her experience:

"My father died when I was very young, My mother and my grandparents were very religious and spared no pains but, instructed us in all the the principles of religion. It's influences I feel this day.

"When I was 16 years of age I experienced what I believe was a change. I will tell how this change was really felt. I was brought into the light, I saw myself a a great sinner, my sins weighted me down. I sought alone where to pray where none but God could hear me. I prayed for him to have mercy on me and there in that lonely spot the light broke in on my spiritual soul. I arose to my feet and felt that I had opened my eyes to a new creation. Everything spoke praise to God and my soul shall ever praise Him. The stars sparkle with glory, all things praising God, how many years have past and many miles away my thoughts carry me back to my conversion, to the hallowed spot where love divine first found me. I was not satisfied and wanted more of heavens joy and (k)new I would receive more if sought for. My will was not wholly God's will and prayed :Help me be Thine O God," I struggled hard and help came and I felt myself wholly God's and my sins all forgiven and assured that I was saved. Light and love filled my spirit. the material body is not always with us. I believe when the body is no more use to the spirit the spirit will leave the body and enter the spirit world. I have lived a life worthy. I shall live with these good Christian friends that have gone and left a good hope of Heaven. My soul leaps forward to that day, when in that happy holy land; we ne'er shall take the paring hand."

The following verses were written when she was 83 years of age.

When the storm of life is o'er,
And it's fleeting days are no more then I will go home,
To meet that I've gone on before,
Through this world of sorrow to pass, then shall I meet those kind friends.

[Interment was made at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa]

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2017