Laura Eliza Custer 4/7/1859-- 9/6/1881

CUSTER

Posted By: Karen Bergquist Uhr, volunteer
Date: 6/22/2004 at 06:11:29

CUSTER- Tuesday morning, Sept. 6th 1881, at 7 o'clock, at her home in Bonaparte, Laura Eliza, seventh child and youngest daughter of John L. and Orpha Custer, of consumption aged twenty two years, four months and twenty-nine days.

Laura was born April 7, 1859, in Harrisburg township, this county, and lived there till the spring of 1874, when the family moved to Bonaparte, where they have since lived.

In the spring of 1879 she went to her sister Mattie's home in Union county, and taught a term of school. About the time of Mattie's death Laura contracted a slight cough which, with the measles in the spring of 1880, and other causes, resulted in the fatal disease.

In the winter of 1874 she was converted and united with the Baptist church here, with which she has since been identified, enjoying its serv'ces(sic)and finding true pleasure in the Sabbath school.

Every means possible was used to control the disease, but without permanent success. Her health gradually failed till she was taken to her bed in January of this year. In the latter part of May her medical advisers gave her up, the family lost all hope of her recovery, and she fully realized that she could not get well. But this realization was attended with such a degree of God's grace in her heart that she was enabled to bear it with patient submission, willing to go if it was the Lord's will. Day after day she reclined in her bed plying her needle and listening with rapt attention to the reading of the Word of Eternal Life, as if her coming change was no more than an ordinary event of her life. How forcibly is here demonstrated the thought that "it is more fearful to live than to die." About the first of June a change in medical treatment seemed to make her better. She improved so much that hopes were entertained that she would get well. These hopes were shared by many as well as by herself. Some time in July she reached the highest point toward recovery, and from that time on gradually declined. But the disappointment did not find her unprepared. She knew her end was approaching and left mementoes to her loved ones, writing with her own hand, and her last work was a three cornered cravat of white bobinet wrought with floss for her dear mother.

For some days her eyes were dim, but about two minutes before she died she opened them full wide and looked upward with riveted attention and earnestness, and they shone with a brilliancy never before seen in them. Could she have spoken then she could doubtless told us of the heavenly glory beyond. It is evident, as she neared the shore of the dark river and was about to step into the boat, her attention was attracted by the glad welcome from the heavenly host waiting on the opposite shore to receive her, among whom no doubt, she recognized her sisters Rachel and Mattie and her little angel brother.

But why dwell longer. Laura was a christian; and when this is said all is said; not to say it is to waste time and space in vain eulogy.

The funeral services were held in the Baptist church, at 1 p.m., Wednesday, conducted by Rev. Pendleton, of Farmington. The remains were followed to the Harrisburg cemetery by a large concourse of sympathizing friends. Her classmated in Sabbath school, Misses Leoti Besecker, Jennie Humphryes, Minnie Hinish,
Annie Cresap, Ettie Mitchell and Lou Cresap acted as pall bearers.

Source: Newspaper unknown
Margaret Johnson Meek Scrapbook