Sawyer, Sarah 1840-1922

SAWYER, SHORT, FLEMING, ERSKINE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/14/2017 at 14:39:25

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Aug. 15, 1922

USEFUL LIFE ENDED

Mrs. John Sawyer Passes Away at
Home of Her son, Carroll, in
Oskaloosa.
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ESTABLISHED HER RESIDENCE
IN GRINNELL IN 1874
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She and Her Husband for Many Years
Were Useful Members of This
Community.
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The death of Mrs. John Sawyer at the home of her son, Carroll, in Oskaloosa, takes away one more of the estimable ladies whose life in Grinnell carries us well back into the last century. In the days of her activity, bright, active, attractive, her presence in a company was a joy, and her society was eagerly sought. Since the death of Mr. Sawyer nearly five years ago she has lived mostly with her son. Her death came rather suddenly Thursday morning, only a short illness preceding it.

Mrs. Sarah Short Sawyer was born in Hartland, Vermont, October 27, 1840, and passed away Thursday, August 10, 1922, aged 81 years, 9 months and 14 days. Mrs. Sawyer's early girlhood was spent in Hartland where she attended the public schools. November 18, 1860, she was united in marriage with John W. Sawyer of Hartland and they made their home there for the next 14 years. To this union were born two children, both of whom survive their mother.

(part of this paragraph is missing...to Iowa and located at Grinnell. Mr. Sawyer was engaged most of his life here in the coal business and later retired to live quietly among their friends and neighbors. They were numbered among the prominent citizens of the town and Mrs. Sawyer was a faithful and loving helpmate. The quiet happiness of the home remained an inspiration to them in their declining years until December 6, 1917, when Mr. Sawyer was taken away. Mrs. Sawyer then went to live at the home of her son, Carroll E. Sawyer, of Oskaloosa.

Early in her life Mrs. Sawyer had united with the Universalist church but at the time of her death she was of the Episcopalian faith, having attended the Episcopal church at Oskaloosa. She was a woman of deep religious convictions and her many Christian qualities endeared her to all who knew her.

Mrs. Sawyer enjoyed good health in her old age and her death came only after a short illness. Besides her son, Carroll, who is manager of the H.L. Spencer Co., at Oskaloosa, she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. John Fleming of Chicago, a granddaughter, Mrs. L.T. Erskine, and a great-grandson, L.T. Erskine, Jr.

Funeral services were held at Oskaloosa at 2 o'clock Saturday, conducted by the pastor of St. Paul's church of Des Moines. Mrs. Leora Marsh of Oskaloosa sang. The body was brought to Grinnell for burial and a short service was also held at the grave. Interment was made at Hazelwood cemetery.