HIGLEY, Nancy BENTLEY 1801 - 1885

HIGLEY, ABEL, BENTLEY, FRANK

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/6/2024 at 17:45:12

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, July 1, 1885
Page 2, Column 5

DIED.

At the residence of her only daughter, Mrs. Mary A. ABEL, near Chariton, Iowa, on Thursday, June 25, 1885, Mrs. Nancy HIGLEY, aged 83 years, 8 months and 16 days.

The deceased was the mother of T. F., D. G., and Judson HIGLEY of this city, and was born in 1801 in Rensselaer county, New York. Her maiden name was BENTLEY. At two years of age she removed with her parents to Otsego county, New York, and seven years later to Chautauqua county in the same state, where she grew to maturity. In 1821 she was married to Nicholas FRANK, whose death soon after left her a widow at the threshold of womanhood. In 1828 she was married to Dan. HIGLEY, of Jamestown, New York, and with him, in 1839, moved to Ogle county, Illinois, being one of the pioneers of that region. In 1865 they sold their farm and followed the unmarried remnant of their children to Iowa, living for a few months at Mt. Pleasant, but finally settling in fairfield. Mr. HIGLEY died in 1877, since which time, preferring the use of long custom, Mrs. HIGLEY lived alone until failing health, a year ago, decided to remove to her daughter's home near Chariton. Here she remained until, at length, under age and infirmity "The wheels of life stood still."

As a daughter and as a wife Mother HIGLEY passed through the hardships of a pioneer life in new countries, and the kind of character thus developed was strongly illustrated in her. Strong in body and in mind, sympathetic, quick and clear in judgment, loyal to truth and to righteousness, she was of that royal line of mothers whose issue is the strength of nations.

In her domestic life she was the truest of wives and the best of mothers. In society she was cheerful, sprightly, wise and hospitable. In general intelligence she was an acquisition to any company, and her knowledge and her opinions were sought with earnestness and were cherished for their intrinsic worth. Her graces of person and of mind were made much more beautiful by a deep religious experience. Early in life she made a public profession of religion and lived and died in the communion of M. E. church. Her unusual strength of body and of mind and the fortitude with which she bore her unusual trials are to be referred, in a large way, for their explanation to her constant habit of prayerfulness and to the grace thus gained for her times of need.

Funeral services over her remains were held on Saturday morning, at the residence of T. F. HIGLEY, and the burial was in the new cemetery in this city. May she rest in peace!

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, IA, in Lot Old.P.187 with second husband Daniel.