Lizzie Carmichael 1850 - 1931

CARMICHAEL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/28/2018 at 19:50:38

Onawa Democrat
25 June 1931

Pioneer Lady Is Called By Death

Mrs. Lizzie Carmichael Age 81 Passed Away At Her Home June 24

She Came To Onawa with Her Husband in 1874 And Has Since Made This Place Her Home.
Funeral To Be Held On Friday Afternoon

Mrs. Lizzie M. Carmichael departed this life in her home at Onawa on June 24th, 1931, following an illness of several months.

She had remained conscious and bright in mind until the last, but passed away while in peaceful sleep.

She had been seriously ill for several months with heart trouble.

She was born at Sand Lake, New York on July 13th, 1850 and hence had she lived until July 13 of this year would have been 81 years old.

When grown to womanhood she lived in New York City for several years and taught school in the city of Brooklyn. While living there she attended the church of Henry ward Beecher and heard the great divine often preach.

She was married to Lewis J. Carmichael at the place of her birth on August 10th, 1872. They with her husband’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Carmichael removed from New York to Onawa in October 1874. She taught in the new school building Onawa had just erected during the year 1874 and 1875. There were but three school rooms used at that time.

Several prominent men now living in Onawa were her pupils among whom were P.K. Holbrooks, Horace Belknap and E.C. Armstrong, Cal Oliver, Si Oliver (now deceased) Belle Oliver Hawkins and Mary Oliver Pellitier, were also her pupils.

Soon after coming to Onawa her husband and his father erected the Evans house, North of Onawa on the farm they owned and there after occupied same until 1885. They removed to the farm in Ashton Township now owned by William Brenneman.

However, her husband Lewis died May 11, 1884. After that she and her husbands father, William C. Carmichael owned the land they occupied and lived tighter, operating their farming interest as partners.

In 1900 she and father, Carmichael left the Ashton farm and moved to Onawa. Old Mr. Carmichael died on December 11, 1911, his wife having preceded him in death many years before.

Mrs. Carmichael had no immediate relatives. There were a few distant relatives living some place in the last of whom she had last track and had no present knowledge. Without a single relative in Onawa, yet her many friends and neighbors always ministered to her every need and want and were very dear to her, no relative could have been kinder or more attentive than they were. She often remarked that she did not know how she could have gotten along had it not been for their kindness and comfort.

August Larson made his home with her and was always faithful in helping her.

She was a woman of rare and unusual intelligence and culture. She was loved and admired by all who knew her.

She was a strong character with sturdy powers, a pioneer of the old style and stock who will long be remembered by the community. Though ripe in years and ready for the harvest her passing causes general sorrow by all who knew her.