Aunt Lottie Byers' humdinger of an obituary

I came across Charlotte Mary Byers' obituary last week while writing about her husband, Addison Ross Byers, and Strong (sometimes known as Belinda) Cemetery, but decided to save it until this morning, Mother's Day.

They don't, obviously, write obituaries like they used to --- this long and detailed portrait of a pioneer mother idealized here in the way her husband and children wished her to be remembered.

Charlotte was 71 when she died on May 29, 1903, survived by her husband and five of their nine children. The photo here, found online, is not the best --- but you can get some idea of what she looked like from it. Charlotte and Addison are seated at center, surrounded by their five children (from left) Nicholas, David, Anna, Harvey and Nathan. Addison died five years later, on April 29, 1908.

This very long tribute was published in all three of Chariton's weekly newspapers. This version was transcribed from The Chariton Democrat of June 4, 1903:

THE RIPENED SHEAF IS GARNERED

Mrs. A.R. Byers of Belinda Passed Quietly Away to Her Eternal Rest on Friday Morning, May 29

Nestled among the hills near Bloomington, Indiana, stands a log house where in 1831 lived Andrew and Rebecca Vannoy.

On November 4 of that year there came to bless that home a wee babe. To this little one they gave the name of Charlotte Mary, and as it grew into childhood it won a place in the parent heart that can be filled by none other than childish innocence.

Gradually childish fancies and pleasures were lost in the broader aspirations of youth, the threshold of womanhood was crossed, love whispered the sweet old story, her heart was won, and on April 12, 1853, she pledge her heart and hand to Addison R. Byers, the marriage rites being solemnized at the Vannoy homestead by W.J. Houston, a pioneer preacher in the Christian church.

With her chosen companion she trod life's pathway through sunshine and storm, mid roses and mid thorns. Fifty years, 1 month and 17 days they journeyed together, but never during that time could it be said that she shrank from her duty or sought to shift a part of her burden to others.

Their married life was blessed with nine children; seven sons --- Nathan N., Nicholas C. Schuyler C., Harvey L., Benjamin F., Maurice L. and David A., and two daughters --- Amanda J. and Rebecca A. Of these four preceded their mother across the river of death into eternity.

In the year 1860, with her family, she came to Iowa, arriving October 5 and locating temporarily at the home of Presley Foster. Here within three weeks after their arrival, in a new country among comparative strangers, death entered the home and robbed it of priceless treasures. Twice did the funeral cortege wend its way to the city of the dead, the first time, October 8, carrying the cherished form of Amanda J. and again on the 25th of the same month that of Maurice L.

Thus was the mother's heart wrung with grief, but her trust in Him who said, "Let not your heart be troubled," was unshaken. She fully believed the words of the Psalmist who said, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

She well knew the privations of pioneer life, coming to Iowa when broad acres lay untilled and when modern inconveniences existed largely in theory or were but dimly outlined by the world's master minds.

She was accomplished, not in literature or in art --- the book to her most dear was her Bible, the picture most pleasing to her vision a happy family circle, a community of peaceful neighbors --- but in doing those things learned by the hardy pioneer she had reached a point of excellence. Weaving, sewing and baking were accomplishments in which she excelled, and when in the dark days of the rebellion the husband was called to the defense of freedom, the management of the farm devolved upon her. When the book is opened and the record revealed, when the recording angel shall unfold the struggles of this family toward the pinnacle of success, may it not there be written, "She hath done what she could?"

Throughout her life she manifested a love for music and had in early years possessed much talent in singing. During her last sickness she frequently asked the friends who were assembled to sing for her, and at times she would join with them and sing the songs that had been her favorites for many years. These were always such as centered the thought upon the Christian's hope: "That far away home of the soul, where no storms ever beat on that glittering strand, while the years of eternity roll."

As a christian she was humble and trustful, possessing eminently those characteristics which are mentioned by the Man of Nazareth, as the elements of a happy fruitful life. As a neighbor she was kind and obliging, given to hospitality, mindful of other's needs. As a mother she was patient, gentle and self-denying. It was her earnest desire and constant endeavor to say by her actions, "Be ye followers of me even as I also follow Christ."

She was not unmindful of the needs of the church and community, but home was where her life was concentrated, always seeking to cast her influence on the side of right. Nor was this a difficult undertaking for early in life she became a christian, uniting first with Baptist church and later, in 1857, affiliating with the Christian church at Richland, Indiana. After moving to Iowa she became one of the charter members of the Columbia Congregation of the Disciples, near Belinda, and ever remained true to the principles of the christian faith.

"Aunt Lottie," as she was so familiarly known, has gone, but "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea saith the Spirit, they shall rest from their labors and their works do follow them."

The friendly salutation, the hearty clasp of the hand, the lessons taught as she faithfully instructed her class in Sunday school, the words to cheer the little ones, all these will be kindly remembered and their influence, eternity alone will tell.

On the morning of May 29 she entered into rest, bestowing upon those who had so tenderly cared for her a parting smile. Funeral services were held at the home on Sunday at 11 o'clock conducted by Elder Fowler of Knoxville, after which the remains were conveyed to the Strong cemetery and tenderly laid to rest, while relatives, neighbors and friends bade adieu to the form of the one who when the transition from time to eternity came could so truthfully say:

And so to me there is no sting to death,

And so the grave has lost its victory,

It is but crossing with abated breath,

And white set face a little strip of sea;

To find my loved ones waiting on the shore,

More beautiful, more precious than before.