Billups, Helen Wright (1835-1898)

BILLUPS, WRIGHT

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/2/2007 at 17:38:45

Jackson Sentinel, October 27, 1898:
Billups- Helen Wright was born at Bolton, New York, August 25, 1835. When she was three years old her mother died and when she was five years old her father moved westward, crossed the Mississippi and settled in Maquoketa. She was married December 4, 1853 to C.C.Billups of this place. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Billups, four boys and four girls; of this number one boy and two girls died before their mother. Mrs. Billups suffered greatly through a long illness of nearly a year and died on Friday evening, October 21, aged 63 years, 1 month, and 27 days. She leaves besides her husband, three boys and two girls. Richard Billups, the oldest of her children now resides in Chicago; the others, Lena, Alice, Lewis, Charles and Tom live here in Maquoketa. She also leaves a sister, Mrs. J.E.Goodenow. For 58 years the departed had lived in this community. Her childhood and youth were spent after the manner of the noble pioneers, who by their industry and self denial made possible the beauties and comforts of the community as we know them today. As maiden and as a woman, as wife and as mother, as neighbor and as friend, Mrs. Helen Billups has through these long years endeared herself to a large circle of relatives and friends, and neighbors and fellow citizens, many of whom survive her and mourn her loss. Her patience and fidelity to duty under the difficulties and burdens of life have been commented upon by all who knew how loyally she labored for those she loved. Funeral services were conducted at the Baptist Church on Sunday afternoon and were largely attended.