Esther Elizabeth (Hyskell) Ruby (1920)

HYSKELL, MARSHALL, PEPPER, REYNOLDS, RUBY

Posted By: JoAnne Walker (email)
Date: 2/3/2013 at 13:02:14

The Stockton Review
Stockton, Kansas
Thursday, May 27, 1920
Page 1, Column 2

One by one the pioneers of Western Kansas are bidding farewell to their families and friends and passing on to that land of everlasting peace. Soon the ones who tamed the prairies and made the "desert blossom as the rose" will have passed on and left the result of their struggles to be enjoyed by the younger generations. Monday afternoon the Death Angel entered our little city and snatched from our midst one of our most beloved "Mothers in Israel," Grandma Ruby, as she was familiarly called by all her friends. Mrs. Ruby came with her family to Rooks county over forty years ago, settling on a homestead in Alcona township where she suffered all hardships and privations incident to pioneer life on the prairies, yet thru it all she was always cheerful and optimistic, trusting fully in her God at all times. She was ever a faithful worker in the W. C. T. U. and W. R. C. having held the office of Chaplain in the latter order for many years prior to her passing away. Only two days before being stricken with her fatal sickness she walked from her home to the G. A. R. hall to transact some business with the other officers and walking home again, feeling quite as well as usual. Just 30 days before her death she celebrated her 83rd birthday by receiving a number of her friends in her home and spending a very pleasant afternoon with them, the cheer and good will of her life being her's until the end.

Esther Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann Hyskell, was born in Warriors Mark Township, Huntington county Pennsylvania, April 24th, 1837. Her parents were of Holland ancestry and Methodist stock. In this faith they dedicated her young life to God, and she was baptized in September of the year of her birth. At the age of ten years she became an active member of the church of her fathers and from that day to the day of her death she gave herself and her time and her means with generous and devoted services to the church of her choice. She was married to John Ruby, May 3rd, 1860, in the early part of the great National struggle which called him from the home so recently established, and in which he faithfully did his part in the defense of his country and his home. And not he alone did his part, but she too, as thousands and thousands of other faithful women did, faithfully labored at home and helped as she could thru the great trials of the country's struggle. To this union six children were born: Mrs. Emma R. Pepper of Montrose, Colo., Bertram H. Ruby, of McMinnville, Oregon, Ernest Ruby, Mrs. Cora M. Reynolds, and Mrs. Jessie A. Marshall of Stockton and Clyde O. Ruby who died in 1889. Besides her children she leaves twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and a host of friends to grieve for her. Her husband passed away in February 1911. Stricken with appoplexy at her home in this city on the 15th day of May she lay in an unconscious condition until 1:00 o'clock p.m. May 24, when her spirit returned to the God who gave it, and her earthly life came to a peaceful close. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church Wednesday morning at ten thirty, conducted by her pastor, Rev. C. A. Fisher, assisted by Rev. F. E. Madden of Beloit, and interrment made in the Stockton cemetery by the side of her husband. The many beautiful floral offerings were piled upon the casket and alter rail as tokens of love and esteem from her many friends. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the community in their great sorrow.

Card of Thanks - During the illness of our beloved mother and until the last sad rites were pronounced we were the recipients of innumerable kindly acts performed by neighbors and friends, placing us under lasting obligations. To all we wish to express our hearfelt gratitude.

Mr. and Mrs. I. N. Pepper
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Ruby
Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Reynolds
Mr. and Mrs. B. H. Ruby
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Marshall
________________________

The Stockdale Review and Rooks County Record
Stockton, Kansas
Thursday, May 27, 1920
Page 1, Column 3

MRS. ESTHER RUBY.
1837-1920.

The end came to a saintly life on Monday, when Mrs. Ruby passed away. For about eight days after she was first stricken her life hung in the balance, her physician holding out no hope. Beloved by the whole community hourly inquiries were made as to her condition, and when the faint spark was extinguished, the full extent of the loss was realized. Her whole life had been devoted to service, exemplifying in the completest manner possible the best christian ideals.

The funeral was held Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock in the M. E. church, and a large number was present to witness the last sad rites. Many flowers graced the casket. The music and the tributes paid to her memory by her former pastor Rev. Frank Madden, and her present pastor, Rev. C. A. Fisher, both of whom officiated, were not only touching in their expressions of regret, but comforting to those who felt her loss most keenly. Old friends bore her remains to the cemetery where they were laid by the side of her companion who had preceded her to the spirit land by a few years. The following account of her life was prepared and read by Mr. Fisher:

Esther Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann Hyskell, was born in Harrior’s Mark township, Huntington county, Pennsylvania, April 24th, 1837. Her father and mother were of Holland ancestry and Methodist stock. In this faith, they dedicated he young life to God, and she was baptized in September of the year of her birth. At the age of 10 years she confirmed this desire of her parents and united as an active member ot the church, and from that day to the day of her death, she gave herself and her time, and her means with generous and devoted service to the church of her choice.

She was married to John Ruby, May 3rd, 1860, in the early part of the great national struggle which called him away from the home so early after its establishment, where he did nobly and faithfully his part in the great struggle of the Civil War. And not he alone, did his part, but she, too, as thousands and thousands of other faithful women did, faithfully labored at home and helped as she could, through the great trials of the country’s struggle.

The completion of his service brot him back to the home, which was to be established for the career of a long and eventful life. To this union six children were born:

Emma R. Pepper, Montrose, Colo.; Ernest Ruby, Stockton; Cora M. Reynolds, Stockton; Bertram H. Ruby, McMinnville, Oregon; Clyde O. Ruby, deceased July 20, 1889; Jessie A. Marshall, Stockton.

At the age of 19 she moved to Madison county, Iowa, and settled near Winterset. In September 1879, they left Iowa for Rooks county, Kansas, arriving at their destination on the 20th day of October of the same year.

For more than forty years she has been a resident of this county. Her husband passed from her side to his reward February 3rd, 1911. She had outlived all her father’s family, being the last one of the number to be called.

Stricken with apoplexy at her home in the city of Stockton on the 15th day of May, she lay in an unconscious condition until 1 o’clock May 24th, when her spirit returned to God who gave it, and her earthly life came to a peaceful close.

She had lived to the ripe old age of 83 years, and 30 days. At her last birthday, she had a pleasant afternoon with many of her fiends and the family, and the cheer and good will of her whole life was hers to the last.

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