CAROLINE (METZGER) BIDDLE

METZGER, BIDDLE, LIGHTHILL

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 8/4/2002 at 19:01:39

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, May l7, l923

CAROLINE METZGER was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 5, l833. Shortly afterwards, she moved to Pittsburg, Pa., where she lived until about l858, when she came to Iowa. She came by steamboat down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Iowa, thence by ox team and covered wagon to Decatur County, where she experienced the many hardships and privations suffered by the early pioneers. She was married in l853 to HENRY LIGHTHILL, to which union six children were born, four of whom survive her: THOMAS LIGHTHILL, Arapahoe, Oklahoma; ELIAS LIGHTHILL, Litchfield, Nebraska; and J.H. LIGHTHILL and MARY ANN LIGHTHILL, Kellerton, Iowa.

She was married the second time to JOHN BIDDLE in l869, to which union three children were born, one of whom survives her, A.J. BIDDLE, of St. Louis, Mo. She is survived by thirteen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She died May l2, l923, at the ripe old age of 89 years, 8 months and 7 days.

During her early life, she was a member of the United Brethren Church, later in life she joined the Methodist Church of which she remained a member until her death. Her religion was of the practical kind -- one of helpful acts and deeds rather than words. She bore her last illness with great fortitude and patience and her faith in the future was bright to the end. Her lovable character and kind and gentle ways made her a host of friends who will greatly miss her.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
July 3l, 2002