Surnames: Caldwell, Warner, Smith, Wright, Andrus, Buck Balch, Leason, Bennett, Briggs, Buck, Sontag, Nason, Fitzpatrick, Temby, Calway

----Source: Neillsville Press (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) July 3, 1930

Caldwell, Lura Elizabeth (20 April 1849 - *29 June 1930) *Could be off.

While surrounded by her daughters, grandchildren and other relatives who were gathered at a family reunion Sunday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Smith, Mrs. Lura Caldwell became suddenly ill and died at 7 p.m. Throughout the day Mrs. Caldwell had enjoyed the presence of her relatives, taken part in the activities of the day, and was engaged in conversation with them when she complained of feeling distressed and went to her room.

Before the family had time to realize she was in serious condition she became unconscious and succumbed. By a strange co-incidence a new life was being born into the family as her life ebbed. While the daughters were gathered at the deathbed a telegram was delivered to the house announcing that a son has just been born to her granddaughter, Mrs. Dorothy Wright of Minneapolis, but Mrs. Caldwell passed without knowing that she had become a great grandmother in the last few moments of her life.

Mrs. Lura Elizabeth Caldwell was born near Sheboygan, Wis., April 20, 1849, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Corwin Warner, and attended the public schools at Hingham, Wis., later taking a teacher’s training course. For a number of years she taught school in Sheboygan county. She was married in August, 1872 to Jesse Garrett Caldwell at Hingham, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Caldwell, and settled on a farm near Waldo. To this union were born five daughters, Ethel, Myrtle, Jessie, Lillian and Alda.

Mr. Caldwell died July 2, 1895 as a result of sickness contracted during the Civil War. Mrs. Caldwell continued to run the farm for a few years selling out thirty years ago and moving to Neillsville where she lived for five or six years. After leaving this city she made her home with her daughters, residing at Minneapolis, St. Paul, Chicago and for the pass few months in Neillsville.

Mrs. Caldwell was a lovable person who continually submerged her own w??? and desires for the comfort and enjoyment of those around her. She never was heard to speak ill of any person and saw only the good traits in those whom she met or saw. Her life had been a busy one and ma?? A hardship had been her lot in the early days, but she retained a cheerful disposition throughout and was happiest when she was busy. For years she spent hours daily in fancy sewing, always giving articles she made to friends or relatives. Only an hour or two before she died she finished cushion for one of her granddaughters and pinned a note of remembrance to the gift. Her friends were numbered by the hundreds and the friendships endured undiminished through the years. Her death came as peaceful as slumber, a reward of a lifetime of righteousness and faithfulness to the precepts of humanity and unfaltering devotion.

With her at the time of her death were three of her daughters, Mrs. Ethel E. Andrus, Mrs. Frank Buck, both of Minneapolis, Mrs. A. O. Smith of Neillsville, three of Mrs. Andrus’ children, Miss Lura, Miss Vera and Kenneth, her nephews F. O. Balch and Dr. W. A. Leason, Mrs. Balch, Miss Betty Balch, Mrs. W. A. Leason, Mrs. M. E. Bennett and son, Keith, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Leason and daughter, Patricia. Her daughter, Mrs. Ray Briggs and Mr. Briggs, Frank Buch, Mrs. Jule Sontag of St. Paul and Mrs. Letta Nason of Seattle were here for the funeral. Mrs. Jessie Fitzpatrick of Hollywood, Calif., was unable to reach here in time for the rites. Mrs. Caldwell is also survived by a brother, J. L. Warner of San Francisco.

The services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the A. O. Smith home, by Mr. Peter Temby, Mrs. Caldwell having been a member of the first church of Christ Scientist of St. Paul and the mother church of Boston. A solo was sung by Mrs. Calway. The remains were taken to St. Paul for cremation in accordance with Mrs. Caldwell’s wishes. Burial is to be in Lyndon Cemetery at Waldo by the side of her husband.