Miss Georgianna O. Hutchins (ca. 1841-1880)

HUTCHINS

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 3/20/2010 at 22:10:35

The Nevada Representative, Nevada, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, February 18, 1880.

Died.

Also in this city during last night, Miss Georgia O. Hutchins for several years a teacher in our public schools. Miss Hutchins had been sick with consumption over a year.

The Nevada Representative, Nevada, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday, February 25, 1880.

Died in Nevada, Iowa, February 17th, 1880, of consumption, Miss Georgianna O. Hutchins, aged 39 years and 1 month.

She was born in N. Anson, Somerset Co., Maine, where, and in other parts of that far away State, most of her life was spent. She came to Nevada three years ago. The first two years of her residence here she taught the gammar department of our public school. The last year she was too ill to continue her work as teacher, tho' the school held a sacred place in her mind and heart til the last.

She came among us almost an entire stranger, but long before the day of her death, by her force of character, her cheery, genial ways, her earnest self-sacrificing labors, her generous, grateful nature, her strong trustful religious convictions, she won the sisterly and brotherly love of many, and the honor, esteem, and affection of the whole community.

The last few months of her life brought her much suffering, but watched over with great solicitude and tenderness by those who had learned to appreciate and love her, she passed, peacefully, happily, lovingly, triumphantly to her rest.

Her funeral was attended on the beautiful afternoon of Friday, - beneath the benediction of the glad sunshine for which she had prayed, - by her few relatives and a large concourse of friends, mourners all.

Her frail tenement of clay sleeps "where the birds their vigils keep," in a grave touchingly made fragrant with sprigs of evergreen dropped by the loving hands of children, and her free, glad spirit is at home in the Father's house of many mansions.

She has, indeed, gone beyond the scope of our mortal vision, but the memory of her pure, consecrated life will long remain to uplift and bless.

The following lines were written during the last two or three weeks of her life, and are expressive of her grateful love to the people of this community.

DEAR WESTERN FRIENDS:
What can I say
To thank you in this public way,
For every off'ring, and kind deed
You've given me in time of need?

I cannot die, until I give
You some expression, while I live,
Of all my gratitude to you,
The kindest folks I ever knew.

Yet words to me seem very weak,
When I this gratitude would speak,
For all the kindness and care
You've lavished on me, and would spare
No pains to smooth the weary way
I long have journeyed day by day.

I can most proudly, truly say
You've favored me in every way
That's generous, noble, kind and good;
And for these favors fully would
I thank you with my love sincere.
I have, dear friends, no doubts nor fer
That, when such kindnesses you'll need,
There will return, from this good seed,
Blessings a hundred fold to you,
Who ne'er enough for me could do.

There is no need for me to pray
That "Heaven's choicest blessings" may
Rest ever on your hearts and homes;
For Heaven's blessings surely comes
To those who do such christian deeds,
Unmindful of rewards and creeds.

I know should you or yours fall ill,
Such kind attentions surely will
Not be forgotten, but will be
Shown to you, as you have shown to me.

Dear people of this little town,
(Which seems fast gaining in renown),
I claim you all as my good friends,
And hope such arrogance offends
Not one of you; for your good will
Has cheered me long and cheers me still.

While laboring in your public school,
I strove to bear a gentle rule,
And tried most faithfully to do,
With all my might, the best I knew.

And now it seems my work is done,
And my short span of life is run;
And, "I lay me down to sleep,"
Where birds their happy vigils keep.

I cannot toll what makes me glad
To make this change, but not one sad
Nor gloomy though disturbs my peace;
And death seems such a kind release
From worldly things, from care, and pain,
I truly feel, "To die is gain;"
While still, small voices sweet and clear,
Come often whispering in my ear,
"Death's mysteries yet we cannot tell,
But all beyond is well, - is well."

Again I thank you for your care,
And leave you with this little prayer,
That, when I'm laid away from sight,
You will not all forget me quite,
Though I bid you all a long adieu,
The kindest folks I ever knew.

GEORGIANNA O. HUTCHINS.
Nevada, Iowa, Feb. 6, 1880.

[Ed. - From Grave Marker Inscriptions, Vol. XII, Nevada Township, Inc. Nevada Municipal Cemetery, for sale by Iowa Genealogical Society, Block 7, Row 3, Relative Marker 10: Georgianna D. HUTCHINS died Feb 17 1880 age 39y 1m our cousin]