OBYE, Bertha L. (Sharon) 1816-1891

OBYE, SHARON

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 11/2/2011 at 20:40:54

Mrs. Bertha Louis Sharon Obye was born in southern Norway April 4th, 1816, and died November 23, 1891, aged 74 years, 7 months, and 17 days. She was the sixth daughter of Carl and Julia Sharon, one of a family of ten children, eight sisters and two brothers. She was married to Lars L. Obye June 24, 1837. They came to America in 1838, and settled at Galena, Jo. Daviess Co., Ill., and were amoung the pioneers of that section. Three children were born to them. The eldest died in early childhood, Lars W., now of Spokane Falls, Washington, and Chrissie L., teacher in the public schools of this city survive her. Her husband died July 8, 1858. In 1862 the family removed to St. Ansgar, Iowa, where they have since resided. On New Year's night of 1890 (nearly two years ago) as she was about to enter her home took a misstep and fell and sustained injuries from which she never recovered sufficiently to walk. During those long and wearisome months she bore her trials with more than christian fortitude and was never heard to utter a complaint, but was at all times cheerful and happy. One sad feature of her last illness and death was the absense of her only son who was traveling in Idaho at the time away from telegraph communications and could not be reached. Her husband at his death left a large estate of which Wm. C. Bostwick, one of the most eminent lawyers and who afterward figured so largely in the politics of the state, was administrator. Charles Ridden Bennet, also well known was appointed guardian of the two minor children. Owing to the financial depression of the country at the time, failure of banks, the opening of the civil war and other causes, the bulk of a large estate was in an incredible short space of time lost to view. Deceased was born and educated a Lutheran, but on removing to this country and settling at Galena, there being no church of that denomination, she with her husband united with the Episcopal church of that city and was an acive member. She was well and favorable known for the distribution of her charities, both to foreign missions and to the poor and unfortunate which abound in our cities. She at one time with nine other ladies each giving one hundred dollars to the Episcopal board of foreign missions. Into the crowded tennement houses she brought comfort and substantial aid, dispensing her charities with a lavish hand. In perfect health and strength herself, possessed a strong and hopeful nature, she ever encouraged the desponding and despairing to renewed effort in the struggle of life. When removing to Iowa, the early settlers will attest to her ministerings in sickness and time of trouble. During a rigouous winter in those early days when comforts and conveniences were not so easily obtained as now, she taxed herself beyound her strength in caring for the sick, was herself for the first time confined to a bed of sickness and was never again strong. There are circumstances attending her last illness and death which remembrance will always cast a shadow over every passing hour of pleasure, and make deeper the night of gloom, yet with it all comes the comforting assurance that they who bore the heavier cross shall wear the brighter diadem, and in the archives of heaven on the recording angel's pages in letters of shining light today are found this welcome applaudit: "Well done. She hath done what she could." The family has a large circle of relatives and friends in this and adjoining states who were not notified in time to be present.

Buried at St. Ansgar City Cemetery

St. Ansgar Enterprise