Sylvania A. (Bench) Friend

FRIEND, BENCH, ROSE, KERR, HUXLEY, GRAY, BAKER, HALBERT, GARRETSON, HUNTING, HARCHBARGER, DAVIS

Posted By: Marilyn Buesing (email)
Date: 9/15/2011 at 15:59:54

Sylvania Friend’s Obituary
Born 14, Sep., 1844, died 15, Sep. 1926.
1926, September 23rd, Salem Weekly News.

Sylvania A. Bench, daughter of Samuel and Charity Bench was born in Clay county, Missouri, Sept. 14, 1844, and departed this life at her home in Salem, Iowa, Sept 15, 1926 aged 82 years and 1 day.

When about two years of age they moved to Salem, Ia. Soon after moving, her mother passed away and Mrs. Narcissa Rose of Salem took her into her home and cared for her.

In July, 1859, she was united in marriage with Elias A. Friend with whom she lived until his death which occurred Dec. 12, 1919. To this union six children were born-John A. deceased; Charles A., E. Elwood and Jesse R., all of Salem; Mrs. May E. Kerr, Grasston, Minn.; B. Adeline Huxley, Chicago, Ill. The five children together with the eleven grandchildren are left to mourn their loss.

Grandma Friend, as she was known by every, had a birthright membership in the Quaker church but she preferred not to use this and helped the cause of Christianity by helping all the churches and leading a true Christian life. She was patient and thoughtful of others during her long illness, and often expressed the wish to pass on as she was ready to go.

Funeral services were held in the Congregational church Friday, Sept. 17 at 2 p. m. conducted by Rev. T. R. Gray of Olds, assisted by Miss Baker and Rev. Halbert. A quartette composed of Herbert Garretson, Guy Hunting, Elsie Harshbarger and Nell Davis sang “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere,”, “Rock of Ages”, and “No Night There.”

Interment was in the east cemetery.