----Source: Wood County Reporter: Thursday, Jun 15, 1899

A Genuine Woman Gone

Mrs. Viola Garrison

of Centralia is Called To The Palace of Eternity.

The last dread message from the Great Beyond, which all must sooner or later obey, came to and was answered by one of the early and highly esteemed residents of Centralia Monday afternoon. To her, however, it must have come short of its awfulness and in the language of sweet assuagement and comforting reassurance-"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  "In very truth, Mrs. Viola GARRISON fulfilled every higher obligation of life domestic, social and spiritual-as completely as human aspiration allows.  That characteristic which impressed people, in proportion to their knowledge of her was her genuineness, patience and submissive grace to the powers that control. This characteristic brought with it a beautiful old age, serene in the satisfaction of an earnest force exerted for righteousness that left not even one complaint in the last hours of severe suffering Mrs. Garrison passed away at the residence of her son F. Garrison, at 4:45 o'clock p. m., June 12, following an illness in bed of two months. She had not well for a long time.

"Grandma" as we have always felt at liberty to address her, was taken with chills as long age as last October, which developed into chronic jaundice.

Her condition was not considered dangerous until the month of April, when she was obliged to take to the bed and the family physician was called. Constant nursing and thorough medical attention, however, failed to bring other than
temporary relief. The patient grew steadily weaker until death, except by artificial means. Final dissolution came as the result of practical paralysis of the entire alimentary canal. The mind of this benign lady was clear and active to the last. To the liberated soul only can death appear as "That golden key That opens the palace of eternity."

Viola Sheldon Garrison was born at Fort Anne, on the shores of Lake George, NY, Mar. 24, 1821. She had, therefore, reached the age of 78 years, 3 months, 21 days at the time of her demise. Miss Sheldon remained under the parental roof, reared in the usual manner of a sturdy farmer's daughter, until married to Orestes Garrison on the 30th day of March, 1842. Soon after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Garrison moved to Greenwood, McHenry Co., IL, and settled on a farm, which the husband tilled for ten years.  To the union were born the following five named children, four of them at Greenwood: Elma Caroline, wife of S. S. Bensly, died Mar 26, 1861. Charles B., now a resident of Minneapolis, and with his mother during her last sickness Llewellyn O, resident of Thorpe, WI, at his mothers bedside during the past week, accompanied be wife and son Frank, president and manager of the Centralia Pulp Water Power company, with whom "Grandma" Garrison has made her home for twenty-five years Henry D., died Mar. 4, 1866.Orestes Garrison and family became occupants of a house near old Magnolia hall in Grand Rapids late in the fall of 1854, he being owner of the mill (then a sawmill) in Centrelia recently torn down by W. E. Mack of the Central Electric Co. They resided in Grand Rapids through the winter, then went over into Centralia. Mr. Garrison died June 3, 1874, and his wife took up her residence with her son F. Garrison where she has continuously been at home for twenty-five years. The record of her career during the widowed life is filled with examples well worthy of emulation, with deeds and works that will always stand as texts and studies to the generation that succeeds them. Peace at last Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, from the F. Garrison residence, Rev. F. S. Neimitz officiating. Remains were tenderly laid at rest in Forest Hill cemetery, the sad service being attended by a large number of citizens who today deeply lament the departed friend and neighbor.