Obituary for Elizabeth Nikirk Haller, Forreston Herald, 12/30/1893:

THE RECORD OF DEATH
Mrs. C.M. Haller Called From Earth

It becomes the sad office of the HERALD to chronicle the death of one who was very near and dear to the proprietor.

After a severe illness of about two weeks, from heart trouble, and weakened by la grippe, Mrs. C.M. Haller passed from life unto death between the hours of two and three o’clock, Saturday morning, December 23, 1893. Her death was very peaceful. For nearly 35 years the deceased has been a great sufferer at times, but never gave up in her efforts to minister to the wants of her family, persistently refusing to remain in bed, until her last illness. Still she was hopeful of a continuance of life, and thus encouraged the family to hope for her recovery. Before the anxious family retired Friday night, they did so feeling sure she would be living in the morning, as she seemed some better. This, together with their knowledge of her tenacity for life assured them that they would arise in the morning to minister to her temporal wants as usual. But alas, for human frailties, they were called ‘together at an unusual hour to surround her lifeless form, reproaching themselves that they had not been more diligent in their watch over one whose watchfulness over them in time of sickness admitted not of rest for herself.

The writer, in view of the peculiar position he holds in the community, must of necessity, be guarded in his remarks upon the life and works of the deceased, more so at least than he would had he another subject with whom he was equally familiar, outside the family circle. It is scarcely necessary , however, for us to go into any details, as nearly every resident of the town and the readers of the article have known Mother Haller for these many years. Like all women she had her likes and dislikes, and chose her intimate friends among people in the humbler walks of life, may of whom will miss her keenly. She ministered to the wants and sufferings of the poor and needy rather than toady to the whims of the affluent and aristocratic, though she might have been a shining light in the higher social circles had she been ambitious to do so. Though she was remarkably fond of ___ntries and pretty things she denied herself many pleasures and comforts to alleviate the sufferings and [privations?] of others. She was preeminently [?] a home woman, caring little for the foibles and vanities of the world and society, entertaining royally and loving dearly the friends she chose. She embraced religion early in life, and has been a consistent member of the Lutheran church for more than half a century, and attended commendably to her religious duties, both in church and in the home circle.

She was loyal to her country during the war, in that she spent many hours in preparing food and other comforts for the boys in blue who braved the rebel bullets to defend the nation’s honor.

At the request of her bereaved and aged husband, the funeral services took place Sunday afternoon, Dec. 24, at 2 o’clock, on the premises where she has spent more than half her life—at the residence of her son, a few yards distant from her own residence. The weather was quite favorable and many people came to pay their last respects. Rev. N. W. Lally [?] , her beloved pastor, conducted the services, and was ably assisted by Rev. E. K. Yenkel of the Evangelical church and Eld. J. A. Smith of the Advent faith.

After the sad ceremonies at the house had concluded, the remains were conveyed to the Hewitt cemetery in the south part of town, where mother was laid to rest from her weary toils of earth, in the family ‘lot, where rest all her children who had preceeded her.

As neighbor and friend she was loved by all who knew her. As a wife and mother she has made such a record that the most cherished memories in the minds of her children are the precepts [?] and examples of her life in the home of their childhood. As a christian she needs no eulogy. Her life is the best record of her loyalty and love to the Lord.

She has left a legacy to husband and children, “A good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches.” She was always more generous to others than just to herself. She put her [consciensous??] into her work and none [?] ever questioned the honesty of her efforts or the [purity?] of her purpose.
[Top of column 2: We bury her in christian -------------[end of sentence
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This is followed by a poem/quotation: 2 verses, 8 lines each, type too small to
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HISTORICAL
Elizabeth Nikirk was born in Washington County Maryland, June 16, 1829, and died in Forreston, Illinois, Saturday, December 23, 1893, aged 64 years, 6 months and 7 days. She was married to C. M. Haller, April 14, 1846, at the age of 18 years, and a few weeks later they emigrated to this county, in company with his parents, making the journey by team, camping by the wayside to prepare their frugal meals, and occupying 42 days in making the journey. On their arrival they located in Pine Creek Township. They resided with his parents, assisting on the farm, until the fall of 1847, when Mr. Haller engaged in teaching school at Phelp’s Grove, and later in West Grove Schoolhouse. They came in possession of 80 acres of land in Mt. Morris Township, which they farmed until the fall of 1859, when they moved to Forreston, where they have made their residence ever since.

She was the daughter of Samuel and Susanna [Beeler] Nikirk. Her father was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and her mother in Washington County, Maryland. They were of German parentage and employed that language in the family during life. They moved to this county in 1855, locating in Adeline, where they lived until after the death of the father, which occurred Sept. 6, 1867, when the mother removed to Forreston. The mother died near Shannon, Carroll County, Ill., March 16, 1884. Of her parents’ union seven children lived to attain the age of man and womanhood. Daniel E. went to California in 1853, and settled in Placer County, and at the outbreak of the rebellion enlisted in the 6th Cal., Vol. Inf and served until the close of the war. He died in the year 1866, his place of interrment being unknown to his family. Mary the wife of Jonathan Drenner, resides at Surphen’s [?] Mill, Kansas. Frisby died in December, 1857, [maybe 1837??], at the age of 22 years. Samuel H. was born March 9, 1841. He enlisted in the 15th Ill. Inf and did valient service until June 20, 1865, having served four years and 26 days. At the battle of Altoona, Georgia, Oct. 4, he was taken prisoner and confined in the foulest of the foul prisons, until April 28, 1865, when he returned, to this county, and [resumed?] his trade of carpentry and building, after which, he removed to Junction City, Kansas, where he married Maria Anderson, July 2, 1869. He has been prosperous and has served several terms as County Judge in his county. Lydia Nikirk was the wife of Daniel Eichholtz of Shannon. She died December 29th 1890, at the age of 57 years. Francis M., the youngest, and but a mere boy at the breaking out of the rebellion, enlisted in the 55th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He is married to Caroline Erdman and lives in Forreston, where he follows carpentry and building as a profession.

She was the mother of seven children. Samuel, who died Jan. 25, 1856, aged 7 years and 6 months; Susan Abigail, who died Feb. 16, 1889 [?], aged 37 years; Lewis, who died Feb. 15, 1856, aged 3 years and 6 months; Theodore F., at present in the publishing business; George L., died Aug. 11 [?], 1873, aged 10 years [? – maybe 19?]; Chas. Martin and Edward E. are twins, the former is a resident of Salem, Oregon, and the latter in the drug and book business in Forreston.

[presumably this was written by Theodore F. Haller, son in the publishing business]

Contributed by Carol Palmer Schmidt

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