Large, Susan Ann (Mrs. F. A.), 1850-1935

LARGE, REFSNIDER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the Rock Valley Bee, February 1, 1935:

Former Resident Passed Away

I. S. Large received a message on Wednesday morning advising him that his mother, Mrs. F. A. Large, had passed away the evening before at her home in Long Beach, Calif. Mrs. Large had been suffering from cancer for several months, and it was realized by her relatives and friends that she could not long survive. She had attained the age of eighty-five years.

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From the Alton Democrat, February 8, 1935, Rock Valley news:

A message was received by I. S. Large advising him of the death of his mother, Mrs. F. A. Large, who passed away on Tuesday evening, Jan. 29 at her home in Long Beach, Calif. Deceased had suffered with cancer for the past several months and that dreadful disease claimed its victim. She leaves to mourn her two sons, I. S. and Frank Large, of this city. Mr. F. A. Large, Sr., passed away a few years ago. Mrs. Large had attained the age of 85.

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RESEARCH NOTES

The California Death Index on Ancestry.com has Susan A Large, birth abt. 1851, death 29 Jan 1935, Los Angeles

FindaGrave.com shows her buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California. A photo of her gravestone says “Susan Large, Mother, 1850-1935.” There is no additional information.

The obituary for F. A. Large (posted separately), who died in Madison, Indiana in 1929, gives additional family information, although it makes no mention of his wife other than to say that she was living in Long Beach.

On Ancestry.com, a Delayed Birth Record for her daughter Maude Mae Large, with whom she lived for many years, attested by another daughter, Sue L. Armstrong, gives their parents’ names as Francis Asbury Large, born in Indiana, and Susan Ann Refsnider (maiden name), born in Pennsylvania. Birth/death/marriage records on Ancestry.com for various of their children confirm their names as Susan or Susan A. Refsnider (sometimes with variant spellings) and Francis A. Large.

In the 1870 U.S. census Francis (25), Susan (19), and Issac S. (1) are living in Cedar Township, Floyd County, Iowa, where he is a farmer. In 1880, Francis A. (37, a laborer), Susan (29), and five children are living in Greene, Butler County, Iowa. They were not found in the 1900 census. They must have separated sometime prior to 1910. In the 1910 census for Onawa, Iowa, Susan Large (58), is listed as married for 40 years, but no husband appears with her; mother of 7 children, 7 living; no occupation; living with daughter Maud, age 23, single, born Iowa, a trimmer in a millinery store. In 1920 she is living in Chicago with her son-in-law Abraham Watte and his wife Mary, again married but with no husband listed. In 1930 she, age 78, widowed, is living in Long Beach with daughter Maude M. (42), neither employed; her age at first marriage was 17.

Susan and Maude M. also appear in Long Beach city directories for 1916, 1917, 1923, and 1933, in all of which she is listed as “wid F.A.” and Maude is a store clerk or saleslady.