RESIDENT OF LEAF RIVER DIES HERE AT AGE OF 103 [handwritten 1943]
(Consolidated News Service) [Sister of Anna Luella Eavey]

Leaf River, Ill., April 22.-- Mrs. Margaret Ellen Hiestand, 103, who was known as "Aunt Mag" to all residents of Leaf River and vicinity, died Thursday morning at a Rockford hospital. She had been failing in health for several years.
Although Mrs. Hiestand was not able to carry out her wish that she would hoe in her garden on her 100th birthday anniversary, she was able to work in her yard for some time that day.

The former Margaret Ellen Eavey was born in Lancaster, OH., Oct. 11, 1839, and came to Illinois with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Eavey, when she was nine months old. The family, pioneer settlers in this part of the country, settled near Egan on the farm now occupied by Will Hoover.
Her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Hammond, came from a family of doctors, and she became interested in medicine at an early age. She rode horseback to aid the early settlers in time of sickness.
Mrs. Heistand's parents brought a negro girl who had been a slave, Martha Marshall, with them to Illinois. She lived with the family until her death.
Mrs. Heistand was a nurse at the Elgin state hospital before her marriage Oct. 13, 1881 to the Rev. U. B [sic] Hiestand, who died March 13, 1889. Both Mrs. Hiestand and her husband were members of the United Brethren church.

After her husband's death, she returned to make her home with her parents and an invalid sister, Anna Lulu Eavey, who died in 1930. Mrs. Heistand moved to Leaf River after the death of her sister and for many years Miss Jennie Mischler made her home with her.
Mrs. Carrie Hodge, Pine City, Minn, a niece, survives. A number of great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins also survive.
Funeral services will be held in Leaf River at a time to be announced later and burial will be in the family lot in the Egan cemetery. (offered by Thelma Thomas Livingston/Carole Ann Heller)
---------------------------------------------
Services Saturday for Leaf River Woman, 103 (handwritten 1943)
(Consolidated News Service)
Leaf River, Ill., April 23.--Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. for Mrs. Margaret Ellen Hiestand, 103, believed to be northern Illinois oldest resident, who died at the Ogle county home Thursday morning. She had been in failing health for several years.
Rites for Mrs. Hiestand, who was known as "Aunt Mag" to all local residents, will be conducted at the home in Leaf River by the Rev. D. P. Gosser, assisted by the Rev. R. W. Pittman of Polo. Burial will be in the Egan cemetery.
The former Margaret Ellen Eavey, she was born in Lancaster, OH., Oct. 11, 1839, and came to Illinois with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Eavey, when only nine months old.
Her parents, who were pioneer settlers of this part of the country, brought with them a negro girl, Martha Marshall, who had at one time been a slave. For many years, the colored girl made her home with Mrs. Hiestand.
Coming from a family of doctors, she became interested in medicine at an early age. Often she could be seen riding horseback to aid ailing neighbors. She was a nurse at the Elgin state hospital at the time of her marriage to Rev. Jacob B. Hiestand in October, 1881. Both she and her husband were members of the United Brethren church.
After the death of her husband in March, 1889, she went to live with her parents and an invalid sister, Anna Lulu Eavey. Following their death, she moved to Leaf River and for many years Miss Jennie Mishler made her home with her.
She is survived by Mrs. Carrie Hodge, a niece, Pine City, Minn, and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews. (offered by Thelma Thomas Livingston/Carole Ann Heller)

Submitted by Carole Ann Heller

Return to Ogle Co. Genealogy Site