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Obituaries of Civil War Era Women, 1914
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on June 22, 2015
The following are obituaries of some Civil War era women:
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 2 March 1914:
OLDEST WOMAN OF COUNTY DIES, 104
Mrs. Elizabeth Sharon, Steelton, Succumbs to Old Age Debilities
HAD REMARKABLE RECORD
Mrs. Elizabeth Sharon, probably the county’s oldest resident, died Saturday evening about 8 o’clock, at the residence of her daughter on Hyers Street. [On the] hundred and fourth anniversary of her birth, 8 February, and received in person the congratulations of many friends. Old age was given as the cause of her death.
Mrs. Sharon was well kn own in this vicinity for her remarkable vitality and activity and until about 10 days ago, when she was forced to take her bed, she was in full possession of all her faculties. During her last years she was alert at all times and her principal occupation was that of making various articles from patches. Her children are in possession of these articles which are worked out in beautiful designs.
Until about a year ago, when she was injured in a fall, Mrs. Sharon had been confined mostly to one room, but within that time she has taken several trips in a roller chair and in an automobile. Ten days ago her physical condition began going back and she finally lost her power of speech. Her death came during a relapse while she was thought to be asleep.
Mrs. Sharon was born in Perry County and was married to Lawrence Sharon, who served as a soldier in the Civil War, and has been dead 31 years. She took up residence in Steelton 26 years ago. She is survived by the following children: Mrs. Sadie Keagle, of the borough; Mrs. Mary Mowery, of Gordon; Ada Sharon, with whom she lived; Mrs. Lizzie Phillips, of Philadelphia; and Mrs. George Rickert of the borough. She was the mother of one son who died.
Funeral services will be conducted from her residence on Myers Street, Steelton, tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock, the Rev. J. M. Waggoned and the Rev. George T. Schools officiating. Burial will take place in the Baldwin Cemetery.
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 27 July 1914:
MRS. S. W. POMEROY DIES, WAS LONG ILL
Widow of Presbyterian Preacher Was War-Time Sweetheart of Juniata Valley Resident
Mrs. Euhemia Knox Pomeroy, widow of Rev. Stephen W. Pomeroy, died yesterday morning at her home, 1520 State Street, after a long illness. Mrs. Pomeroy was 72 years old. Surviving her are these children: Mrs. Edwin N. Scott, Plymouth, Pennsylvania; Silas S. Pomeroy, Harrisburg; Mrs. Oscar F. Hills, Chefoo, China; and Miss Margaret Mason, Harrisburg. She leaves two grandchildren, E. Pomeroy Scott, Plymouth, and Miriam Freer Hills in Chefoo, also. The funeral will be held from the home at 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon and will be followed by private interment in Paxtang Cemetery.
Mrs. Pomeroy was born in Juniata County, 15 December 1841, the daughter of Silas E. Smith and Elizabeth [Weir] Smith. In 1868, she was married to Stephen W. Pomeroy, to whom she had become engaged during the latter part of the Civil War and she figured in one of the romances of Juniata Valley wartime sweethearts.
Mr. Pomeroy was hastening as fast as relays of horses could carry him with important dispatches from Chambersburg to Governor Curtin here. On order to avoid parties of Confederate cavalry scouts , he made a detour by way of the Juniata Valley. Except to change horses he made only one brief stop – that was at the gate of the Smith home where he was met by his bride-to-be. At that he paused for only a moment – just long enough to lift her to his saddle for a kiss and then he raced along toward Harrisburg. Incidentally, pursuing Confederate cavalry sighted him and he had to bend low over his saddle to avoid the bullets.
Until the retirement of Mr. Pomeroy from active ministerial duties several years ago, Mrs. Pomeroy was prominent in the work of the Presbyterian Church, her ability and sweetness of character contributing to the success of her husband’s pastorates. Just after his retirement the family removed to Harrisburg and since them Mrs. Pomeroy had been a member of the Market Square Presbyterian Church.
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, 17 November 1914
“MOTHER OF CIVIL WAR” DIES AT AGE OF 113
Bellaire, Ohio, 16 November 1914 — Mrs. Sarah Brandon, known as “the mother of the Civil War” died at her home in the southern part of Belmont County this evening at the age of 113 years. Her youngest son, Evan Brandon, with whom she made her home, asserts that she was born 15 April 1801. The oldest residents of the community in which she lived remember her as a married woman with many children, when they were children.
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