|
Mrs. Martha Endslow died in Lewistown, January 13, 1888, aged about 83 years. She was the third daughter and sixth child of James Milliken, one of the younger sons of Thomas Milliken, who having been one of the earliest settlers of Tuscarora valley, died about the year 1778 of injuries received and disease contracted in the revolutionary war, leaving behind him a widow and five small children. James, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the only one who remained in the valley. In 1795 he became the husband of Jane Boggs, lived a useful and honored life near the place of his birth, and peacefully followed his wife to that bourne "whence no traveller returns" in 1858, having long before crossed the boundary line of the time allotted to man upon earth. His children all survive him except the oldest daughter, Mary--familiarly called Polly--who died in her youth. The children who remained, sincerely to mourn this revered monitor of childhood and respected companion and friend of riper years, were Thomas I, known as Judge, who, having filled many minor offices of trust with honor was in the later years of his life awarded a sitting upon the associate bench, those who knew him feeling assured that the office would not honor the man more than the man would honor the office; John, known to all as 'Squire' John, of Academia, who was the first to follow his beloved father to that unknown country, dying about the time of the civil war; Millie, the mother of Dr. D. J. Beale, of Johnstown, Cambria county, who alone remains to represent that generation of the family in the valley of the grandsire's choice, and who, if spared, will soon pass the 87th milestone in the journey of life; James B., who died four or five years ago; the subject of this sketch; Jane, still living near Earlville, and the honored wife of George Beale, who in 1880 celebrated their golden wedding; Joseph Milliken, who died in Clinton county 1880; Margaret, who was married to John McDonald and lived and died in Indiana, where her children and childrens' children still reside; Francis who died in Mifflin county. Martha or Aunt Mattie as all delighted in calling her, was married to John Endslow in 1831, called to part in their early chilhood with some of the little ones--lambs of their flock. They were honored by seeing the larger number grow to manhood and womanhood; William S., Francis, Hervey J., Annie R., Mary and Mattie, twins and Thomas Milliken. William with the ___ which characterized many in those days, made his way to Dayton, Ohio, living and dying there, honored as a merchant and as a man. Aunt Mattie was called Like the Spartan mother. Aunt Mattie freely gave of her jewels for the salvation of her country, and in the early days of the civil war S. Francis and Hervey J. were enrolled among the gallant forty-ninth and followed its fortunes all through the war until the siege of Vicksburg, when Hervey J. fell a victim, and has filled a soldier's honored grave for many years, and is still remembered at the camp-fires as one of the brave boys. Having removed to Mifflin county, Aunt Mattie met with the greatest sorrow of her lifetime in seeing her husband brought in lifeless to the home from which he had gone but a few moments before. There she had also the happiness of seeing her remaining children honorably settled in life. Anna R. intermarried with J. Hamilton, residing near Mill Creek, S. Francis intermarried with Sadie Allen, settled at Yeagertown, Mattie with J. Owens and now residing in Lewistown, Mary with G. Haines, having her home at Granville, and Thomas J. with Sadie Bear. Aunt Mattie's last years were made happy by the kindness of her children and ministered to all by turns, though having her home with J. Owens. She peacefully passed from the midst of them to the blessed land, seeing the glory shining through the gates ajar and sure of the welcome home. Dr. Beale, of Johnstown, at her request and the request of her pastor, Rev. Mr. Gourley, who was comparatively a stranger to her, preached the sermon after her death, and spoke feelingly of the long service she had been enabled to give to the Lord, having joined the church under the ministry of Rev. John Coulter and living from thence as one who was bought with a price. The places which knew here will know her no more, but our loss is her gain. |
