Obit: Gates, Lydia E. #2 (1855 - 1884)
Transcriber:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Gates, Eyerly, Standard, Hendren

----Sources: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 15 April 1884

Gates, Lydia E. (6 Feb. 1855 - 11 April 1884)

At her home in Neillsville on Friday, April 11, 1884, Lydia E. Gates, wife of James L. Gates, aged twenty nine years, two months and five days.

It becomes our duty to chronicle one of the saddest events that have occurred in our city, the death, in the midday of life, of one of the best and most beloved of her women, Mrs. Lydia E. Gates, wife of James L. Gates who is one of the most respected citizens of the county. Mrs. Gates’ maiden name was Lydia E. Eyerly. She was a daughter of H. D. Eyerly of the firm of Gates, Standard and Co. of this city. Mrs. Gates has for several years bee in delicate health. At the time of her death she was twenty nine years of age, having been born in Onalaska, Wis., Feb. 6, 1855. She came to Neillsville with her parents in 1867. She received her education here and taught two terms of school in the McAdams district in Levis and one term in Neillsville, Wis. She married James L. Gates March 14, 1872, in this city where she had spent her girlhood days and has since resided. She leaves two children living Robbie aged nine and Edith aged five while two have preceded her to the grave, Horrace and Beatress. There are two of her brothers living Frank Eyerly and Orin Eyerly and one sister Mrs. Emily Standard wife of John Stanard all of whom live in the city. Her mother died in this city about two years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Gates celebrated their tin wedding on the 14th of March, 1882, the event being one of the most brilliant social affairs of the city. She died very suddenly Friday morning last none but the immediate family being present. The physicians attributed her death to heart disease which belief was confirmed by a post mortem examination. The funeral took place Sunday afternoon from the Presbyterian Church, Rev. W. T. Hendren officiating. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity while a large number remained in and about the entrance being unable to gain admittance because of the large number present. The flowers were exceedingly beautiful and the designs elegant, consisting of an exquisite pillow composed of immortelles, callas and tea roses, a beautiful wreath and anchor made principally of calla lilies with smilax and tube roses and a lovely cross of tea-roses, geranium leaves, callas and smilax.

A large number of carriages followed her to the grave. She has been a good neighbor and a true Christian. Owing to a retiring disposition she spent most of her time at home with her family instead of in society circles. Her brothers and sister lose a sister both loved and respected. A father is forced to lose a daughter who has been to him all that he could expect. A home that has hitherto been one of the happiest is saddened by the entrance of the dark angel. A family of children is made to feel the loss of that greatest boon on earth, a watchful and affectionate mother. A husband is separated from the wife of his choice and the mother of his family, from the one who has encouraged him in his adversity and with just pride enjoyed the days of his prosperity. **Note - The children’s names are spelled the way they appear in the original write up.

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Obit: Gates, Lydia E. (1855 - 1884)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: GATES EYERLY

----Source: Republican and Press, August 17, 1884, p. 4, Clark County

Gates, Lydia E. (1855 - 1884)

      Photo provided by the Jailhouse Museum

         & Shared by by Natalie Erpenbach

LYDIA E. GATES - On Friday morning, April 11th, Lydia E. Gates, wife of James L. Gates, of this city, and daughter of H. D. Eyerly, Esq., aged 29 years, after a sickness of four weeks.

Mrs. Gates came to Neillsville with her parents when twelve years old was married to Mr. Gates when seventeen. She leaves two children, aged nine and seven. Her funeral took place from the Presbyterian church on Sabbath afternoon, and the large number that attended indicated the high esteem and regard in which she was held by the citizens of Neillsville. The floral tributes placed at the head and foot of the casket in the church were of the choicest varieties and beautifully arranged. Many eyes were wet with tears of sympathy when the husband and children took their last look at her who to them was so dear. The sermon was preached by Rev. W. T. Hendren and the music sung by a well selected choir. Her death has caused an unusual sadness in our city, where she has been known from childhood. Her amiability and happy nature endeared her to all who knew her. She was a devoted and idolized wife, and an affectionate, loving and beloved mother. For weeks, she had been low with sickness and anxious friends began to entertain hopes for her recovery, but in the early twilight of last Friday morning, when in the stillness of the hour, while the spring birds sang their morning lay, as if caroling a requiem, her spirit took its flight through the upper deep to the unknown beyond- the Golden City of our hopes.