Have you been fortunate to find multiple obituaries for someone in your tree? As I was going over my records for James H. Crawford, I discovered that I have a variety of obituaries for his wife, Eliza Jane Swisher. Part of that good fortune, is thanks to Walter Salts, a Warren County, Indian historian. Walter had a collection of clippings that he shared with me during the early days of my research. The abundance of newspapers in Dodge City at the time adds to my good fortune.
Mrs. Elisha Briggs, of this place, last Monday received intelligence of the death of her brother’s wife, Mrs. Eliza Jane Crawford, which occurred after an illness of several weeks, at Dodge City, Kan., on Friday, July 8th, 1892, at 7:20 a.m. Deceased was the wife of James H. Crawford, who several years since removed from this county and located in Kansas. She was over 50 years of age and leaves a husband and six children, the youngest of whom is 18 years of age. Mrs. Crawford died of heart trouble. The funeral was held at the Methodist Church, of which denomination she had been a worthy and exemplary member for many years, at 2 o’clock p.m. last Sunday.
“Personal,” 14 July 1892, from Warren Republican; Walter Salts Genealogy Collection, copy in Crawford Family Papers owned by Marcia Philbrick; privately held 2022 by Walter Salts, photocopy in Crawford Family Papers owned by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, KS.
Eliza J. Swisher Crawford
“Eliza J. Swisher Crawford,” 28 July 1892, from Warren Republican; Walter Salts Genealogy Collection, Crawford Family Papers, Marcia Philbrick; privately held 2022 by Walter Salts, photocopy in Crawford Family Papers owned by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, KS.
Eliza J., daughter of John and Emelia Swisher, was born in Warren County, Indiana, July 14th, 1835.
She was converted when a child, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at “Crow’s Grove,” Indiana, since called “Swisher’s Chapel,” in honor of her grandfather, who was a pioneer in that county.
Her parents died before she was grown, leaving in her charge two younger brothers and a sister, she being the eldest of four children. The charge she faithfully kept, always looking after their welfare as though they were her own children.
On April 10th, 1856, she was married to James H. Crawford, at the residence of her uncle, William F. Wood, where she then lived. There were born unto them seven children — William N., John D., Charles H., (died in infancy), Abraham L, Jennie, Henry C., and Clara V.
In 1878 she, with her family, immigrated to Ford county, Kansas, where she has since resided.
She has been in feeble health for several years, but on Ester Sunday was taken ill with what, at that time, seemed a slight indisposition, but in spite of all that loving hands and medical skill could do continued to grow worse until the morning of July 8th, at 7:20 o’clock, when, surrounded by husband and family she quietly crossed the dark river, after bidding them a fond farewell, and entreating them to meet her in heaven.
The funeral services were held in the M.E. Church on Sunday, at 2:30 p.m. attended by a large concourse of friends, many being unable to get inside the Church. The remains were interred in the Maple Grove cemetery.
She was a pious and devoted Christian. Among her leading characteristics was her love and devotion to the wants of her family. The greatest happiness she ever knew was in promoting the happiness of her loved ones.
While the family are overcome with grief at parting with their dearest loved one, they humbly bow to the Divine will and say with her, “He doeth all things well.” She was loved by all who knew her and her loss is deeply mourned by all. — Dodge City, (Kan.,) Globe-Republican
Obituary
Eliza J., daughter of John and Emelia Swisher, was born in Warren County, Indiana, July 14th, 1835.
“Obituary,” The Dodge City Globe (Dodge City, Kansas), 18 July 1892, page 1; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online October 2019).
She was converted when a child and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at “Crow’s Grove,” Indiana, since called “Swisher’s Chapel,” in honor of her grandfather, who was a pioneer in that country.
Her parents died before she was grown, leaving in her charge two younger brothers and a sister, she being the eldest of four children. The charge she faithfully kept, always looking after their welfare as though they were her own children.
On April 10th, 1856, she was married to James H Crawford, at the residence of her uncle, William F. Wood, where she then lived. There were born unto them seven children — William N., John E., Charles H., (died in infancy), Abraham L., Jennie, Henry C., and Clara V.
In 1878 she, with her family, immigrated to Ford County, Kansas, where she has since resided.
She has been in feeble health for several years, but on Easter Sunday was taken ill with what at the time, seemed a slight indisposition; but in spite of all that loving hands and medical skill could do, continued to grow worse, until the morning of July 8ths, at 7:20 o’clock, when, surrounded by husband and family, she quietly crossed the dark river, after bidding them a fond farewell, and entreating them to meet her in heaven.
The funeral services were held in the M.E. Church on Sunday, at 2:30 p.m. attended by a large concourse of friends many being unable to get inside the church. The remains were interred in the Maple Grove cemetery.
She was a pious and devoted Christian. Among her leading characteristic was her love and devotion to the wants of her family. The greatest happiness she ever knew was in promoting the happiness of her loved ones.
While the family are overcome with grief at parting with their dearest loved one, they humbly bow to the Divine will and say with her, “He doeth all things well.” She was loved by all who knew her and her loss is deeply mourned by all.
Died — At her residence in Dodge City on Friday July 8th 1892 at 7:30 a.m. Mrs Eliza Crawford, age 56 years 11 months and 24 days. The deceased is the wife of J. H. Crawford, one of the oldest citizens. The funeral service were held on Sunday July 10th at the M.E. Church in this city and was attended by a large concourse of friends of the deceased. The funeral service was preached by Rev. Williams pastor of the church, her remains were interred in Maple Grove cemetery and was attended by a large rotean of carriages loaded with friends of the family and deceased.
“Died,” The Journal-Democrat (Dodge City, Kansas), 16 July 1892, page 4; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 6 February 2022).
Obituary
“Obituary,” The Globe-Republican (Dodge City, Kansas), 11 July 1892, page 5 col 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 10 February 2022).
Died at her home in Dodge City, Kansas, July 8th 1892, at 7:30 a.m., Mrs. Eliza J. Crawford, aged 56 years, 11 months and 24 days. Her maiden name was Swisher, and she was born in Warren county, Indiana, July 14th, 1835. She was married to James H. Crawford April 10th, 1856. There were born unto them seven children: William N. — John E. — Charles H. who died in infancy — Abraham L. — Jennie — Henry C. and Clara.
In 1878 she removed with her family to Ford county, Kansas, where she has since resided.
She was converted when a child and united with the M.E. Church at Crow’s Grove, Indiana, afterward named Swisher’s Chapel, in honor of her grandfather who was a pioneer in that country,
She lived a devoted and pious christian life. Among her leading characteristics was her love and devotion to her relatives, and the truest happiness she ever knew was in laboring for the comfort of her loved ones.
She died trusting in the Lord and entreating her family to meet her in heaven.
As the bright sun rose in the east angels beckoned her to join them in their celestial citadel, and as the pearly gates swung ajar, one of the purest and best of women passed along to meet her reward with the blest.
As she breathed her last there stood by her bedside, — all her living children and her sister, Elder and Mrs. Williams, Dr. Whitworth, their esteemed family physician Miss Alcesta Easton, Mr. Wintamute and Mr. Nevins.
She suffered intensely to the last, but was conscious.
The funeral services were held at the M.E. church, Sunday at 2:30 p.m. by her pastor, Rev. Williams, Her remains were interred in the Maple Grove cemetery.
The church was crowded to utmost capacity and many remained outside until the procession started to the cemetery, in which there were over fifty carriages.
The citizens of Ford county have long loved and esteemed the Crawford family and that family now holds our sincere sympathy in this their great qereavement.
Obituary
Obituary, Dodge City Times, Dodge City, KS, 14 Jul 1892, page 4 col 1.
Died: At her home In Dodge City, Kansas, July 8th, 1892 at 7:30 a.m. Mrs. Eliza J. Crawford, aged 56 years, 11 months and 24 days. She was the wife of James H. Crawford (merchant) and the mother of Abraham L, Henry Cl. Clara and Jenny. The funeral services were held at the M. E. Church Sunday at 2:30 p.m. conducted by her pastor Rev Williams, and remains were Interred In the Maple Grove Cemetery. The family have the sympathy of the entire community In this their great loss of wife and mother.
While finding this many obituaries is probably not normal, I am thankful to have these varying obituaries.