WHITAKER, Mrs. Augusta (BESWICK)

BESWICK, WHITAKER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 12/19/2013 at 09:42:27

LAST SAD RITES DONE

Mrs. Augusta Beswick Whitake Laid to Rest with Beautiful Services.

TWENTY AUTOMILES IN LINE

The Church was Crowded to Capacity-Rev. Carroll Official Clergyman.

On Monday morning promptly at 11 o'clock the funeral procession of Mrs. S.V. Whitaker, who passed to her reward in heaven at midnight, November 15, 1912, and who had been the cherished wife of S.V. Whitaker for nearly fifty-one years, left her late residence for the Methodist church where the last sad words were said for her by Rev. Chas. F. Carroll, pastor of the Baptist church of Hillsboro, of which denomination the deceased had been a consistent and dearly-beloved member for years. As the casket entered the church the choir, composed of Miss Maude Johnston, Mrs. H.A. Knowles, and Messrs. Rev. E.S. Hehner and Frank Smith, accompanied by Mrs. Hehner, sang "Nearer My God, to Thee," and "Abide With Me," after which prayer was offered by Rev. Hehner. The choir again sang one of her favorite songs, "Face to Face."

Another favorite song of the deceased was here sung, after which the following was read by Rev. Carroll:

"She is gone, her work here on earth is finished, but the influence of her life will become more and more potent for good as the years go by. She was pure in heart fulfilling the command of God. "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see the Kingdom of God." She loved her home, and to be amongst her flowers were her constant delight. The beautiful little birds that built their nests among the flowers were her constant delight. But after all, when we consider the brief span of life's existence, it matters but little whether it takes us off as the sun is sinking in the west. It reminds us that but in a few days we all must follow; that the rich, the poor, the small, the great must all meet upon a common level in answer to the summons. She has paid the debt; we cannot bring her back, but by correct living we can go to her. Something tells me that somewhere, or somehow, we shall meet again. No more will he welcome voice be heard at her beautiful home nor the welcome footsteps at the threshold of the door. We look for her, in vain we call, but death makes no answer. We can but say goodbye until we meet again."

Having finished this he preached a very able and consoling sermon.

Those who sent most beautiful flowers were as follow:
J.H. McCarty, J.C. Silvers, M.C. Mott, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Yarrington, Mrs. B.F. Oldt, the grandsons, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Whitaker, Pitt Plummer, Mrs. Brockman and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Alton, of Hillsboro; Hillsboro Rebecca Lodge, Mrs. Pernitzke and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Davidson.

Mrs. Whitaker's funeral was the first automobile funeral ever held in this city, there being twenty cars in line carrying eight people to the Winchester cemetery where she laid to sleep the sleep of the just and beloved.

Mrs. Augusta Beswick Whitaker was born in Washington county, Ohio, Sept. 18th, 1836. Came to Iowa in March, 1850, and has lived continuously in Iowa excepting two years spent in California. Died Nov. 15th, at 12 p.m. aged 76 years, 1 month and 27 days.

She was married to S.V. Whitaker on December 9th, 1860. To this union was born one son who lives at Hillsboro. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, her son, and four grandsons, besides two sisters and three brothers.

Card of Thanks.
We, the undersigned, take this means of expressing our most heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the kindness, thoughtfulness and care bestowed upon us and our deceased wife, mother and relatives. No words are adequate to express out thanks and respect as we fell them. We appreciated dearly the beautiful flowers, kind words and deeds, and shall never forget them in this life.
S.V. WHITAKER AND FAMILY.
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Picture heading:
Mrs. Whitaker's Latest Photgraph

Heading under picture:
After a happy married life of nearly fifty-one years, Mrs. S.V. Whitaker a long time resident and highly respected lady of this city, passed to her reward at twelve o'clock Friday night, November 15, 1912. She was laid to rest in Winchester cemetery on Monday afternoon, her funeral being largely attended.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 380, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA

Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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