Mary Shurtliff Miller 1843-1898

MILLER, SHURTLIFF, SHURTLEFF

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/22/2011 at 16:57:07

Death of Mrs. P. Miller
It is with a great deal of sadness the writer notes the sudden death of this good woman last Saturday [May 21, 1898] morning. She had been slightly ill for a few weeks but was able to sit up and seemed to be improving. Saturday morning she was feeling as well as usual and a few minutes before her death was sitting in her room reading. A feeling of suffocation suddenly came over her and she asked for water, but before it could be brought or medical assistance reached her she sank back in her chair dead. Her Spirit had passed to the God that gave it.

Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. A large audience was present, many failing to gain admission. The W.R.C. of which deceased was an honored member attended in a body. Rev. Evans made a brief but splendid address, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Oak Hill cemetery.

The beautiful floral offerings and the immense audience attested to the great esteem in which deceased was held by the people of Estherville. Her mission was to do good and she seemed like a mother to everyone. She was loved by all.

Mrs. P. Miller – Mary Shurtleff was born at Pottsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., April 1, 1843. Was married to Philip Miller, in 1858. In 1868 they moved to Waseca, Wisconsin, and in 1878 to Texas. A year later they removed to Kansas and after two years returned to Wisconsin. They came to Estherville in 1881 where the family has since resided. Philip Miller died four years ago and Mrs. Miller passed from earth May 21, 1898. Aged 55 years, 1 month, 21 days, leaving four sons, Charley, Bert, Fred and Earl (all of Estherville) and many friends to mourn her decease. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. (Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA, May 26, 1898)

Death of Mrs. Miller
Estherville Democrat
The people of Estherville and vicinity were greatly shocked Saturday morning by the startling announcement of the death of Mrs. Mary Miller which occurred at nine o’clock. The report could hardly be credited as she was not thought, even by her relatives, to be in such a dangerous condition as her sudden demise indicated. She had been ill for some three weeks but only from an attack of nervous prostration and nothing serious was surmised. After eating a hearty breakfast and feeling somewhat better she passed the time reading the morning papers and conversing with members of the family when a sudden fit of feeling faint came upon her and she asked for the family physician, who was quickly summoned, but to no avail. She soon passed to the unknown world without regaining consciousness. Her death was caused by neuralgia of the heart. The deceased was a most generous and kind hearted woman and was ever ready to put forth a helping hand to the unfortunate. She seemed to find pleasure in helping others in time of need for which she was repaid by a generous look from the less fortunate. Her death is keenly felt not only by her own family but by those who frequently came in contact with her in life.

Mrs. Mary Shurtliff Miller was born at Pottsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, on April 1, 1843, and was united in marriage to Philip Miller at Colton, N.Y., in 1859. Four children were born to this union, Charles O., M. Bert, Fred P. and Earl F., who are all left to mourn her sudden demise, Mr. Miller having died four years ago. In 1868 the family moved from New York to Wauzeka, Wisconsin, where they resided until 1878 when they took up their residence in Texas. Their sojourn here was brief and after spending three years in Sherman, Texas, Humboldt, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, they again returned to their old home in Wisconsin. In 1882 they came to Estherville where they have since resided.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church, of which deceased was a devoted member, on Sunday afternoon at four o’clock. A large concourse of sorrowing friends and neighbors assembled to pay their last tributes of love and esteem to the memory of the deceased. Rev. Bevan offered prayer and Rev. Evans made a brief address from the words found in Isa. 66;13: “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” After the services the remains were laid at rest in Oak Hill Cemetery beside those of her late husband. The heartfelt sympathy of the many friends of the deceased in this community is extended to the bereaved family in this their hour of sorrow. (Weekly Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, May 26, 1898)

Card of thanks – We desire to express our sincere thanks to those kind friends and especially to the members of the W.R.C., for their assistance rendered during the sickness and death of our beloved mother. C. O. Miller and wife, M. B. Miller and Wife, Fred Miller, Earl Miller. (Weekly Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, May 26, 1898)