Wilson, Sarah Higbee (1837-1919)

WILSON, HIGBEE, RILEY, COX, BOVE, DICK

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 5/7/2017 at 14:26:57

Jewell Record, Thursday, October 9, 1919

Sarah Higbee first saw the light of day in the province of Quebec, Canada, on the 24th of June, 1838 [headstone says 1837]. When a baby her parents moved to Wisconsin and later to Illinois where she spent her girlhood and young womanhood.

In the year 1857 she was married to William Wilson at Rockford, Ill. and for thirty-seven years they shared each others joys and sorrows. They were full partners in the building of their home. In March, 1866, they started for Iowa in a democrat wagon arriving here in Clear Lake township the first of April. At that time the country was untamed, settlers scarce, and neighbors often miles apart. Here in the open country they struggled, endured and wrought well with the other pioneers for the present generation. Five sons and five daughters came to bless their home, all living at present. They are Morris A. and Mrs. Eliza Riley of Stanhope; Will H. of Sebeka, Minn.; Mrs. Emma Cox, of Dexter, Minn.; Mrs. Alice Bove, of Grand View, Washington; Henry, of Brushy, Ia.; Clarence and Mrs. Nellie Riley, of Stanhope; Mrs. Maggie Dick, of Rockwell, Ia. and Alonzo, of Denver, Colorado.

Funeral services were conducted in the Christian Church Friday at 2 P.M., Elder F.M. Lindenmeyer in the presence of a large concourse of friends. Interment was made in the Stanhope Cemetery [Lawn Hill].

"She mothered ten:

Her name may be unknown save to the few;
Of her the outside world but little knew;
But somewhere are ten treading virtue's ways
Serving the world and brightening its days.
Somewhere are ten, who tempted stand upright,
Clinging to honor, keeping her memory bright.
Somewhere this mother toils and lives again,
No more as one but in the breasts of ten.

A great soul is like a river, its streams flow down from the hills. Those who best knew grandma Wilson tell us that they can see her good qualities in her children, and children's children of whom there are 41 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren.

In the early years of the Christian church here she gave herself, in love and trust to her Lord, keeping nothing back. From the beginning to the end her life was one of service and devotion. Her interest in and devotion to the church and missionary society will ever hold a holy influence in the lives of those with whom she was associated. Sister Wilson was a woman of many graces of character. She was in favor of temperance, morality, religion, education and all needed reforms. The guests who came into her home found a genial host, a pleasant conversationalist, a woman of good common sense, quick sympathy and a large heart, whose greater pleasure was in being helpful to those around her.

She was profoundly interested in education and in the early days opened her one room home that the children of the neighborhood might be taught. She was prompt in keeping her engagements, scrupulously honest and courteous in bearing. She also was considerate of the feelings of those with whom she had to do. She was faithful in every relation of life. She endeared herself as a friend, as a good mother, as a worker for God and humanity. She was even tempered, sweet spirited, the soul of gentleness, a lover of flowers. She was quick to show appreciation for any kindness shown her. As the Master said in commending another good woman so it may be said of sister Wilson, "She hath done what she could."

Her life was fragrant as the odor of flowers, the sweet influences by which she made life better are added to the invisible cords that bind the world to the throne of God.

She trusted God with an unfeigned faith, Jesus was to her the wonderful Savior, she did her best to adorn the doctrine of God, the word of God was indeed a lamp to her feet.

She has kept the faith, she has indeed finished the course, therefore, we believe she has entered the pearly gates to receive the crown of righteousness.

"I do not know where the country lies
The place where our dear ones stay;
But this I do know as the swift years go
It is not far away.
Faint notes of song from a choir unseen
Sometimes to my hearing stray.
In longing dreams there are golden gleams
From the not very far away.
It is not far, we shall step across,
In years or perchance a day;
And there our own will be dearer grown
They are not far away.