Clarinda (Lee) MIDDLETON

MIDDLETON, LEE, ANDERSON, SOULES, PAINE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/6/2015 at 22:19:56

April 19, 1852 --- March 22, 1927

Clarinda Lee, daughter of Daniel and Mariah Lee was born at Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 19, 1852 and died at the home of her son, James Middleton, near Brady, Nebraska, March 22, 1927 at the age of 74 years, 11 months and 3 days. She was married to Elza E. Middleton December 22, 1870, and the same year moved with her husband to Wright County, Iowa, where they lived for twenty-one years and where all their children were born. In 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Middleton moved to Nebraska, settling on a homestead ten miles southwest of Gothenburg in Lincoln County. After a few short months —in October of their first fall in Nebraska— Mr. Middleton, who had in reality come to Nebraska for his health, sickened and died, leaving Mrs. Middleton with a family of eight children ranging in age from 3 to 20, and a homestead to develop, facing pioneer conditions. Another great sorrow came to the family when the youngest son, William O., a young man of 25, died in 1913. The other seven children survive their mother. Their names and addresses being as follows: Charles A., Brady, Nebraska; Walter W., Costa Mesa, California; Mrs. Ada Anderson and Mrs. Mary Soules, Gothenburg; Mrs. Anna Paine, Eagle Grove, Iowa; James G. and Archie D. of Brady. Besides these sorrowing ones there are 14 grandchildren living, two having died, and 3 great grandchildren.

Nearly 75 years Is a good long life, but the value of Mrs. Middleton's life consisted not alone in its length, but more noticeably in its breadth. Eight times during her twenty-one years residence in Iowa did she enter "the shadows" that others might live and who but one who has
passed through similar circumstances can appreciate the perplexing problems to be solved, the weary hours of service to be rendered and the sacrifices to be made incident to the rearing of a family of eight, single handed and alone, so far as helpmate was concerned, and that amidst pioneer conditions.

"Mother" and "Grandmother" Middleton, terms by which she was familiarly and affectionately known, was one of those "rare spirits," only a few of whom are found in the various communities. She was a wonderful mother. She had to be to play the part of both parents to a group of eight, all of whom she brought to honorable and useful manhood and womanhood, and all of whom now rise to "bless her memory." She was a splendid neighbor. Ready to serve, ready to divide, always ready with a word of cheer or a helping hand. She was of keen intellect, an omnivorous reader, abreast of the times. Public spirited being identified with the various social and literary organizations of the community. However, there is little doubt that the secret of her spontaneity, resourcefulness, power of endurance, efficiency and achievements Is to be found in her religious life. Converted early in life and uniting with the Methodist Church she has been true to her church vows as well as her Savior and Redeemer through all the years. She has gone to a well earned reward. "Well done, good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the Joys of thy Lord." Words spoken by the Savior were never more meritoriously applied.

"Leaves have their time to fall
And flowers their time to withert
But thou hast all the seasons
For thine own, oh death."

Funeral services were conducted at the home of her son, James, with whom she has been making her home the last number of years, on Thursday afternoon, March 24, 1927, at 2:00 by Rev. Joseph Stopford, her pastor, and Rev. W. H. Shoaf, a former pastor. The subject of the sermon preached by Rev. Shoaf was "Christianity's Crowning Achievement—Immortality." Text—Matthew 25:21. The three songs, "It Is Well With My Soul," "No Night There," and "Abide With Me" were tenderly rendered by a quartet consisting of Mrs. Purdy, Mrs. Hyde, Will Findlay, and Myron Anderson. All the children were present save one son, Walter, who was unavoidably detained at his California home. The floral offerings were numerous and beautiful. Interment was in the Peckham Cemetery.

Gothenburg Times- Gothenburg, Nebraska
March 1927