Atkinson, Lydia Martha (Eagler)

Lydia Martha Eagler

BIRTH: 22 Apr 1841 near Olive, Noble Co., OH

AKA: Martha Eagler

OBITUARY: 1841 Mrs. B.F. Atkinson 1908
On a beautiful autumn day, the twenty-seventh of October [1908] at her home in Caldwell, Ohio, surrounded by her immediate family, calmly as an infant closes its eyes in slumber, thus calmly and peacefully did Lydia Martha Atkinson pass to her long sleep and her spirit returned to the God who gave it.

She was born near Olive, in Noble county, O., April 22, 1841, her parents being John and Mary (Schofield) Eagler both natives of Pennsylvania. In the early years of the last century they settled in what is now Noble county, to which union were born the following children: Elizabeth (deceased); Will and Joseph both residing in Illinois; Charles of Macksburg; Lydia Martha, the subject of this sketch; John (deceased); Nancy J. of Macksburg; and David.

She obeyed the scriptural injunction: "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth," having united [with] the Methodist Episcopal church [at] the age of sixteen.

On the third [day] of September 1865, she was united in marriage with B.F. Atkinson and [trans]ferred her membership to the [Christ]ian Church of which her hus[band] was a member, thus for nearing ... century theirs was a united .. in all things religious, as well [as] social and moral.

She was an ... ... christian, wife and mother, one whose christian character portrayed itself in all her daily walk and conversation, and her absence from her loved ones leaves aching hearts whose consolation rests in the faith that wife, mother and sister has gone to her Savior [sic] as she so earnestly prayed to do during her long sickness.

Mrs. Atkinson's sickness dates from the 25th of April last and she has been confined to her bed for the past seven weeks, during all of which time she was a most patient sufferer, never complaining and hoping for the best. When it became evident to her that her days were nearly numbered and the sands of life were nearly run, her contentment was perfect for she had long ago "set her house in order," and occupied much of her last hours in arranging for the welfare of her family.

On the 22nd day of April, 1886, the family removed from their home in Macksburg and have ever since made their home in Caldwell, a community whose loving kindness and sympathy cannot be bounded by time but reaches beyond into the sunshine of Eternity.

She leaves behind to mourn their great loss, besides brothers and sisters, a lonely husband and the following children: William S. Atkinson, Miss Mary Atkinson, Mrs. Alma Quick, Mrs. Lillie Kean, Mrs. Jessie Way of Wheeling, W.Va., Mrs. Bertha Brennan, and C.F. Atkinson of Dexter City, Ohio, one sweet little infant, Lula Jones, whom she has joined after many years of waiting, never again to part, but who watch and wait with beckoning hands until they all may be reunited in the home, "Over There."

The last sad rites will be conducted by Rev. L.W. Finley at the family residence on Main St., Thursday, at 10 a.m. after which interment will be made in the Olive cemetery.
(Source: undated newspaper clipping - furnished by Gary Chesney)