Lizzie Ressel Fairchilds, 1870-1893

FAIRCHILDS, RESSEL

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/20/2011 at 06:39:21

Died.—At the residence of Harry Hooker, Hartley, Iowa. Sunday, April 10th, 1893, after an illness of about eight months, Lizzie B., wife of Morris O. Fairchilds and youngest daughter of William and Sarah Ressel, aged twenty-two years, ten months and four days.

Lizzie B. Ressel was born at Trenton, Henry county, Iowa, June 12th, 1870, and with her family moved to Spencer in April, 1881. In April 1890 she was given in marriage to M. O. Fairchilds, a young gentleman of excellent moral, social, and industrious faculties.

In October, 1891, their home was brightened by a little sunbeam given by the God of love, little Frankie, who at the age of seventeen months, was called just about one month ago to lead the way for mamma and to wait for papa in that home not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens.

As a child, Lizzie was affectionate, quiet and reliable; as a young lady, beautiful, retiring and religious; as a companion, noble and true; as a mother, loving and tender; in affliction and sorrow, patient and trusting. She united with the Church of Christ in her lady years and lived a noble, constant life to the end. She was a natural musician and her sweet alto voice was excelled by none. Both Lizzie and little Frankie were uncommonly bright and owing to their quiet disposition were loved most by those who knew them best.

In the spring of 1892, Morris moved with Lizzie and the little one to Sioux Rapids, where he went into business. Shortly after moving to Sioux Rapids, Lizzie, who had not been well since baby's birth, grew worse until she was confined to her bed. A council of the most able physician of the state was summoned and the case was pronounced to be blood poison. After all help here had failed, her still hopeful and devoted husband took her to Chicago for treatment, and although the physicians of Chicago failed to help her, yet her faith was strong in the great physician of the soul, and although she was willing and anxious to remain to comfort and assist her companion, yet she expressed her complete readiness to go.

The funeral was held at Spencer, April 18, at 10:00 o'clock, at the Christian church. A very large audience listened to the comforting remarks by Elder James H. Mclntire in regard to the blessedness of the dead who die in the Lord. The remarks were drawn from Phillippians 1, 21. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." The hymns were beautiful, appropriate and comforting and were those which Lizzie had so often assisted the choir in singing. Her vacant chair was fittingly draped and the decorations which were so beautiful and fitting, attest her many friends.

Mr. Fairchilds being an Odd Fellow, a part of the Hartley lodge came down and acted as pall-bearers. The Spencer brotherhood also payed their last respects by attending the funeral in a body.

The deceased leaves a husband, who with many relatives and friends mourn very deeply the loss of one so fair.

Source: Spencer Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; April 26, 1893.