RALSTON, Susan 1859-1920

RALSTON, GRANT, ARFORD

Posted By: Wendy McNeil Laird (email)
Date: 10/19/2012 at 16:45:08

Susan Elizabeth Grant was born in Carroll County, Ill., June 11, 1859. She was converted at the age of sixteen and united with the church and lived a life that when the summons came she could say “I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith.”

She was united in marriage to Sanford S. Arford Sept 23, 1877, who died six years later. To this union was born one son, Louis S., who preceded the mother in death January 7, 1919. Following the death of her husband, she moved to Iowa near Conrad where she lived 23 years.

Mrs. Ralston died at her home in Marshalltown May 15, 1920, after an illness of some time.

She was married to Mr. J. M. Ralston April 5, 1887, and to this union six children were born; five of the children survive the mother in addition three step children. The children are Glen A. and Frank J. and Mrs. J. Comstock of Conrad; Clayton G. of Grundy Center; and Harold G. of Marshalltown. The step children are; Mark E. Ralston, Conrad; Ray B. Ralston, Flandran, S.D.; Mrs. Charles Kennedy, Calhoun City, MS?; two brothers and three sisters also survive and are B. F. Grant and J. M. Grant and Mrs. L. Barnes of Marshalltown; Mrs. Jennie Arford of Boone; Mrs. John Bingham of Wayland. Funeral services were conducted at Alice Church by Rev. Hilberbridle, preaching from the text, “Put thine house in order for thou shalt die and not live.” - Isa. 30.1. The Choir sang “He Leadeth Me” and “Sweet By and By” “Asleep in Jesus.”

Mrs. Ralston was a woman of many graces of character, modest and unassuming; no sacrifice was too great for her for the comfort of her family. She was a true mother to her step children and administered to their needs with untiring hands, never neglecting her duty at all times; a good neighbor, a loving wife and mother with a calm Christian disposition which characterized a noble life. Such was the life of this dear woman who was faithful, conscientious and true in relation of wife and mother, whose life was blameless and whose death is but the passing from earthly to heavenly happiness.
She loved to read her bible, and during her last illness found comfort in its many promises. Mother remains in our memory as a living person, not as one in the cemetery. We don’t think of her as helpless, but as one in the vigor of health; we remember her as directing her children so that they may live to meet her where ailments and afflictions are no more; where there is no more pain, no more sickness, no more parting.

"Were a star quenched on high,
For years would its light,
Still be traveling downward,

From the sky,
Shine on our mortal sight.

So when a mother dies,
For years beyond our ken,
The light she leaves behind,

Here lies,
Upon the path of men. "

Card of Thanks
We wish to sincerely thank our numerous friends for the assistance rendered and sympathy shown during the sickness and death of our wife and mother. J. M. Ralston and children.
(Found in a box of pics and obits from Isola Ralston, her niece, in Mercer County, Illinois)