Elizabeth A. Murphy

Mrs. Elizabeth A. Murphy, wife of Melbourne S. Murphy, died in Warren, Oct. 6, 1904, after a very brief illness, though her general health has been poor for several months.


Death of Elizabeth A. Murphy

Her maiden name was Pitcher, she was born in Martinsburg, Lewis county, New York, June 22, 1834 and she was aged 70 years, three months and 14 days. Miss Pitcher was married to Melbourne S. Murphy in her native town Nov. 16, 1852; to this union was born two children, one of whom died in infancy. The following year after their marriage they came west, and settled on a farm in Rush township, Jo Daviess county, Ill.; after some 14 years on the farm they moved to Warren in 1867 and have continued their residence here ever since. Mrs. Murphy was a lady highly respected and loved, she had many excellent traits of mind and heart that endeared her to all who knew her; she was a model wife and mother, nothing was lacking on her part to make her home a place of happiness and comfort for all the family; she also found time to think of and care for others, and seemed to always know when and where to "lend a hand" and "speak kind words to help". She was one of God’s noble women, her splendid character was based on the Christ principal; in early life she and her companion were converted, and when they moved to Warren they united with the Baptist church, where she was an earnest faithful Christian worker as long as her strength would permit her to attend the services; she never wandered in her trust in her savior, and at the last, she spoke of her desire to "go home and be at rest" she said "her hope was bright"; she called her friends to her bedside and bade each one good bye, and with a smile she passed to her heavenly rest. She leaves to mourn her demise her loved companion with whom she had journeyed over 51 years, one daughter Mrs. Caroline M. Eby of Warren; one sister and three brothers, viz: Mrs. Emeline Doer, Dexter, Maine; Francis W. Pitcher, Rochester, Minn.; Durvane Pitcher, Boonville, New York and L. D. Pitcher, Dixon, Ill.; besides numerous other relatives and friends. The funeral services were held from the home of Mrs. Farmham on Sunday at two pm, conducted by the pastor of the Baptist church, Rev. J. W. Rendel, attended by a large number of sympathizing friends. The musical selections were rendered by James W. Rowe, L. A. Baldwin, Mrs. W. F. Conyne, and Mrs. Norman. Burial was in beautiful Elmwood cemetery. From: Sentinel-Leader; Warren, Jo Daviess County, Illinois - week of October 10, 1904

Submitted by Wendy Fjelstad