04 April 2014

52 Ancestors: #9 Ella Johnson Hall

I had planned on just doing the obituary of my paternal 2nd great grandmother, Ella Johnson Hall (1858-1925) but then I thought this would be a great time to do my next entry in the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge" (especially since I have no photos of her!!)

Here is the LONG obituary (please note the 3rd, 4th and 5th paragraphs):

The Record-Post
Thursday, April 9, 1925

Ella (Johnson) Hall


Mrs. Ella (Johnson) Hall, whose serious illness was reported in the last issue of The Record-Post, passed peacefully away at her home just south of the village last Saturday forenoon at 11:30 o'clock, in the 68th year of her age. Deceased was born in Clintonville March 20, 1858. While still a young lady she married Ira Hall and had, previous to coming here, resided at Tarrytown, in Moriah and at Plattsburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall and four children came to Elizabethtown to reside in the spring of 1897, just about 28 years ago, since when {then} they have lived continuously a short distance south of this village, excepting the summer of 1899 when they were located in "the old house" on Durand Farm.

To those of us who knew her well Mrs. Hall's life was so pure and humble, kind and true, through pleasant and through cloudy weather, that we may say that today, though her mortal form shares the stillness of the tomb, her spirit, in triumph, goes marching on. Life to this kindly woman was like an ever swinging pendulum between a smile and a tear.  So faithful and so patient, however, so true to real Christian teachings was this good woman that those near and dear to her fell that the memory of this worth-while character will remain to encourage, indeed that her commendable example will continue to cast shadows ahead, witnessing the sunrises and sunsets of coming years.

Mrs. Hall was of the Methodist persuasion and those of that faith who worked with her here and elsewhere admired and respected her for her quiet, abiding faith and wholesomeness.  She will be missed in the church circles where she was so highly esteemed.  However, it is in the family circle where this true hearted and ever faithful wife and mother will be most missed. To the members of the sorrow stricken family bereft of the companionship and advise of this rare woman the sincere sympathy of this community is extended.

It may well be said of Mrs. Hall: She has fought a good fight; she has kept the faith; She has earned the right to rest from earthly labors. What more can be said of mortal?

Deceased is survived by her husband, three sons, Earl of Keene Valley, Jesse and Loren of Elizabethtown and one daughter, Miss Beatrice Hall, also of this place. One brother, George Johnson of Ticonderoga and a sister, Mrs. Olive Kee, widow of Alexander Kee, of Los Angeles, Cal., also survive. A daughter, Miss Blanche Hall, born in Elizabethtown in 1897, died in the Champlain Valley Hospital, Plattsburg, in September, 1917.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hall were held at her late home Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. D.C. Abbott officiating.  Interment in Riverside cemetery.
___________________________________________________________________

I remember reading this before for the biographical information and had forgotten about what I call an eulogy in the middle of the obituary! Gotta love the verbous writing of yesteryear!  But now I have a few more places to check!

She sounds like she was quite a lady!!

03 April 2014

Happy Birthday Uncle Tom Willis!

Today is the birthday of my maternal great uncle by marriage, Thomas Willis (1893-1976).  Uncle Tom was married to my great aunt, Mamie Duprey Willis (1895-1978).

I found this photo during my January non-stop scanning session.  Aunt Mamie wrote on the back "Poor Tom fell asleep"!

Thomas Willis-1950s
So Happy 121st Birthday Uncle Tom!!

01 April 2014

Happy Birthday Chief Petty Officers!

Today is the birthday of the US Navy's Chief Petty Officer! And I did not know!! Here's a link to the "Chief Petty Officers Celebrate 121 Years of Excellence"

I found a picture from November 1981 of my dad, Thomas Raymond Coughlin (1944-1998), in his dress uniform.

Thomas R. Coughlin
November 1981
 
And one with Dad and Grandpa, David Francis Coughlin (1909-1984):

David F. and Thomas R. Coughlin
November 1981
Happy Birthday to all CPO's....current, retired and in charge!!