Mrs. Elmer (Eldora) Culp (1879-1898)

CULP, LATHAM, YOUNG

Posted By: Alan Nicholson
Date: 3/29/2014 at 21:28:02

Paullina Times, 12 May 1898, p. 3

Called [part of paper missing]

The death of [missing], wife of Elmer C[ulp] and daughter of Mr. [missing] Latham, occurred at her [missing] Saturday, May 7, 1898, of spinal meningitis.

Miss Eldora Latham was born in Boone county, Iowa, January 21, 1879. She moved with her parents to O'Brien county and the age of eleven years. She was united in marriage with Elmer C. Culp, February 5th, 1890.

She was converted in childhood and united with the U. P. church at that time. It is surely true that "God moved in a mysterious way his wonders to perform." A young and promising life has surrendered; a devoted wife and mother has gone; a beloved daughter and sister has passed beyond and while the earthly home is left, oh! so lonely, we know that our Master has said "let not your hearts be troubled" also "I go to prepare a place for you."

Mrs. Culp was an estimable woman; the mother of four children. These children, together with the sorrowing husband are left to mourn her death, and well they may for what is more priceless in the home than "mother?" Who will care for the children now? This one question is enough to win for them and the lonely husband, the sympathy of the community, did they not already have it. We do not know what more to say than that in life deceased was a model wife and mother, in death an angel. She possessed a calm, cheerful disposition, always looking on the bright side of things. Her face always carried a pleasant expression and it is a sweet memory for the bereaved ones to carry with them, the fact that the departed one had always given a pleasant look, a kind word, to those who were sad or afflicted. With her husband she had labored faithfully to accumulate a competence for the afternoon of life. Upon him the loss of a loving wife and dutiful companion, falls heavily.

The services were held at the M. E. church on May 9th, 1898, and were in charge of Rev. Hatheway of Paullina, and were delivered with a solemn impressiveness that fell like the soft descending dew of the evening upon the bowed heads and bereaved hearts of those who had gathered to look upon the calm features of the departed for the last time in this life, but buoyed up by the knowledge divine, that the separation was only for a time and not for eternity.

Besides a husband and four children, she leaves father, mother, seven sisters, one brother and a host of friends to mourn her loss. Those from abroad were Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Young and Miss Bell Latham of Boone, Iowa. The remains were interred in the Union cemetery. A large concourse of friends gathered to show their respect for the departed.

In conclusion, let us say that death has invaded a home and removed the wife and mother and left a vacuum so conspicuous, so painful, so irreparable, that there is but one possible hope for the soul, and that is the hope beyond the grave. In bidding goodbye to this loved one, we could lay her away with the Savior's words struggling for utterance.

"She is not dead but sleepeth,
Farewell wife; farewell mother,
Peaceful be thy silent rest,
Slumber sweetly; God knew best
When to call thee home to rest.

Farewell daughter; farewell sister,
We have said our last farewell
Till we meet beyond the river
Happy there with thee to dwell."