STRONG, EMILY

STRONG, DILLEY, STEPHEN, PICKARD

Posted By: Carla Hillgren (email)
Date: 3/18/2019 at 09:12:10

Decatur County Journal
September 7, l905
MRS. EMILY STRONG departed this life at Los Angeles, California, at the
residence of her daughter, MRS. SALLY DILLEY, of dropsy, July l6, l905,
aged 86 years, 4 months and ll days. The deceased was born in Jackson
County, Ohio, March 5, l8l9, and married STEPHEN STRONG, March l0,
l836. To them were born eight children, six of whom are still living,
viz; L.R., S.P., STEPHEN, JR., and MRS. DILLEY, all in California, J.D.
STRONG in Oklahoma, and MRS. PICKARD in Illinois. R.B. STRONG died in
Oklahoma three years ago and a daughter, ELIZABETH, in childhood.
MR. and MRS. STRONG moved to Illinois l838 and from there emigrated to
Iowa in l855 and settled in Decatur County. In l874 they moved to
California where they lived together until September 2, l884, when MR.
STRONG suddenly passed away with heart disease. The wife was thus
sorely bereft of a devoted, loving and faithful husband, a kind and
affectionate father, a patriotic, honest, upright and trustworthy
citizen, an obliging neighbor who was always kind to the suffering and
liberal to the poor. He was ever foremost in any good work that was to
be consummated in his neighborhood and his sudden death sent a pang of
sorrow and regret to all who knew him.
Mother STRONG survived her husband 2l years. No one can tell how she
missed his ever smiling face during all those lonely years. Although
possessed of only a limited education, she kept herself informed on the
most important and social topics of her time. One of her prominent
characteristics was self reliance. No obstacle was too difficult for
her to overcome. She was always busy at home, a good homemaker in every
way, visiting the sick, relieving distress, sorrow and trouble wherever
found, as her children said "she was a good mother to us all. Very few
mothers but have some favorite, but she treated us all alike."
L.R. STRONG came to see her the Saturday before she died and she talked
very rational. She knew the end was near. About 5:30 that evening, she
said she felt like she could sleep a few minutes. She dropped into a
natural sleep and after a few minutes she seemed to lose one breath,
then two and so on, until she ceased to breathe altogether. There was
no struggle nor the twitch of a muscle.
Her body was embalmed and clothed in a beautiful white silk robe trimmed
in folds of silk and lace in sleeves and neck across the front and down
to the feet, a peaceful look on her wax like countenance. The remains
were brought to Norwalk, Cal. Services were held at the Congregational
Church by Rev. Reid who preached from the text: But now they desire a
better country that is an Heavenly one. Wherefore God is not ashamed to
be called their God for he hath prepared for them a city. Heb. l2:l6.
The funeral was attended by a large concourse of sorrowing friends.
Such a profusion of perfume ladened flowers was never before seen in the
little city. After the services, the remains were laid in the cemetery
beside those of the dear husband there to rest until the judgment.
KATE STRONG.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
August 22, 200l