Newspaper Articles

1904 An Enjoyable Affair

Friday, Oct. 14th being Elizabeth Melrose's 81st birthday anniversary, some of her relatives and friends thought it a good time to eat dinner with "Aunt Elizabeth", as she is always called  gathered at her home southwest of Ellery.

At an early hour they began to come in from all directions, also did the postcards bringing greetings from those who could not come. By 12 o'clock 90 people and 40 cards had arrived. Then about 50 baskets were unloaded and such a spread- chicken, fruit, pies, pickles, salads and 22 large cakes. Mrs. Melrose received many tokens of love from her friends, among which was a new front porch floor, which will bring to her mind as she passes in and out, the pleasant day and the kindness of her friends in giving her the most precious of gifts, a part of themselves. Victor McKibben was present with his camera and took a picture of the crowd. Those from a distance were: Mrs. Laura Shepard, Elizabeth Ferriman and H.M. Basket and wife of Albion: Mrs. Mary Harvey, Clarissa Patterson, Arthur Patterson and family and Mrs. Rose Barns of Grayville: Mr. and Chas. Simpson of Orin, Washington: Mrs. Mary Michaels of Golden Gate; Rev. and Mrs. Maxfield of Wheeler IL, and Mrs. C. Knodell, Mrs. L.G. Knodell, little daughter, Mary Christine and Will Knodell, of Fairfield.

-------A Neighbor

Old People's Day at Brushy

Pioneers Gather in a Homecoming Service and Talk Over Old Times in Leech Township. The "Old People's Day" or "Home Coming" at Bethel at M.E. church two miles southwest of Ellery on Aug. 27th, 1914 was well attended.

The day was ideal; the light shower in the afternoon did not mar the day in the least.

Mrs. Elizabeth Melrose

One of the pioneers of the Brushy neighborhood, who for 68 years has been a teacher of the same class in the Brushy Sunday School. She is honored and revered by everybody. No one irrespective of age takes a livelier interest in the church matters than " Aunt Elizabeth". She now is nearing her 85th birthday.

Bethel (Brushy) Sunday school

Mrs. Elizabeth Melrose (Aunt Elizabeth), a greatly beloved old lady, took charge of a small children's Sunday school class shortly after she joined the church, and she taught the class for more than 72 years. Her service extended throughout all the years of the old log church and through 29 years in the white frame building. She was so fill with goodness herself she never saw anything but goodness in others.

Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Melrose

Mrs. Elizabeth Melrose, one of the best known and most beloved matrons of Leech township, died at her home near Bethel church, last Wednesday night, Nov. 10th, after an illness of several weeks duration from afflictions incident to old age. Elizabeth Batson, daughter of William and Nancy Batson was born at Thomas Hill, north of Golden Gate, Oct. 14th, 1829 and departed this life Nov. 10, 1915 age 86 years and 26 days. She was united in marriage to Leander Melrose Sept. 10th, 1846 by Rev. Jacob Reed. One daughter Elzira and two stepchildren, Christina and Gibson Melrose grew up to womanhood and manhood under their mothers care. Mrs. Christina Knodell still survives her. She leaves three sisters, Mrs. Mary Harvey and Clarissa Patterson of Grayville and Miss Jane Batson, the latter living with her until her death. She also leaves a host of relatives and friends to mourn her departure. Her husband died April 8th, 1872.

"Aunt Elizabeth" as she was always called was converted and united with the M.E. church at Bethel where she remained a faithful member until her death. She took charge of the class of children as teacher and has taught that class now for over 71 years. Many children who have grown up to manhood and womanhood have been taught by this dear old saint. She has also been sexton of the church for a great many years and always saw that the church was well cared for and ready for services. We would to God that the churches had many more such lives to crown her as the dear old saintly mother has been. Elizabeth will be greatly missed, but our loss will be her eternal gain.

The funeral service was conducted by her pastor Rev. T. B. McCain, assisted by Rev. O. O. Maxfield of Mt. Erie and Dr. J. W. Flint of Fairfield, at 2:30 o'clock, Friday November 12th, in the Bethel church, two miles southwest of Ellery. As a beautiful and touching tribute to their departed friend and benefactress, her Sunday class in tender reverence placed on and about her casket a wreath of fragrant flowers typical of the love they bore for her. God alone can know where all over are land are hearts that have been touched by the sweet live and gentle admonitions of this godly woman - a life that will blossom in to a fruitage, no doubt, in the lives of many who came in contact with her life.

She loved her bible and the moments spent with her sisters in family worship are sacred memories to the writer. She especially loved the passage "The Angel of the Lord Encampth Around About Them that Fear Him, and Delivereth Them" Surely God did encamp about sister Melrose.

Although her familiar form is gone from our midst, her influence and character can never die.

The remains of our departed saint were borne to their last resting place by her grandsons Floyd Baskett, Lewis G. William M. and Dietrich Knodell, L.V. Smith and Lloyd F. Voyles.

-----T.B.M.