Surnames: WHITCOMB MORRIS SWEET

----Source: CLARK COUNTY REPUBLICAN & PRESS (Neillsville, Wis.) 07/31/1913

Whitcomb, Ella A. (29 Oct 1852 - 23 Jul 1913)

Mrs. Whitcomb died at the hospital in Eau Claire Wednesday Jul 23, 1913. She had rallied somewhat from the operation reported last week and hope for a temporary gain was entertained, although it was known that there could be no complete recovery. The discovery of the fatal nature of her diseased, followed quickly by her death, brought sudden sorrow to this community, where she had lived son long, and where she had many friends.

Mrs. Whitcomb, whose maiden name was Ella A. Morris, was born at Richland City, Wis., Oct. 29, 1852, being the daughter of Chas. W. and Catherine Morris.

She came to Augusta with her parents in 1859 and grew to womanhood there. She became a very successful teacher and for three years taught in the Neillsville, Clark County schools, and from that time on has seemed a part of Neillsville. She was married to Fred Whitcomb Aug. 2, 1876 at her home in Augusta and began housekeeping in Humbird, where Mr. Whitcomb was then station agent. They afterward moved to Ashland and lived for a time, coming to Neillsville in 1881, and have lived here ever since. She was a member of the Congregational Church and the Women’s club and gave to their work such time and strength as she had to give. Especially in the church was her faithfulness and efficiency helpful, doing with skillful and willing hands what but few others could do. Not only in her home, but in the entire community will she be sadly missed.

She leaves to mourn her death her husband and three children: Mrs. Grace W. Sweet of Minneapolis, Hugh Whitcomb of St. Paul, and Miss Ruth Whitcomb at Beatrice, Neb.

The funeral was held at the Congregational Church Saturday forenoon, Rev. H.A. Risser preaching the funeral sermon, and the remains were taken to Augusta for burial in the old family lot in the cemetery there, brief services being held at the grave. Besides the children, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Whitcomb, Mrs. Grace Sweet and Miss Ruth, those from away who came to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Morris of Bismarck, N.D., Mr. and Mrs. S. McComber of Augusta, Mrs. Geo. Sherwood of Duluth, Minn., Mrs. E.Q. Thomas of Eau Claire, Ernest Kopecky of Beatrice, Neb. And Mrs. Ferd Bahr of Spring Valley, Wis.