|
a.
|
Note: I am still searching for the parents and siblings of Margaret Rayburn. Unfortunately there was a courthouse fire in Highland County in the late 1800's, and many records were destroyed. Addendum: I have found a family of Rayburns in Newton. The members of this family are from Highland County, Ohio and are of the correct ages to be family members of Margaret. I have assigned them as the father and siblings of Margaret. However, they could just as well be cousins. It seems inconceivable that a Rayburn family could move from Margaret and John Russell's home county in Ohio (Highland) at the same time as they and not be related. More research is necessary. William Carruthers Rayburn is indeed the father of Margaret Rayburn -DR 06/03 The Newton Record obituary, Margaret Rayburn Russell, September, 1896: We are called upon this week to record the death of Mrs. J. W. Russell. Aunt Maggie, as she was familiarly known, has been a constant sufferer for several months with dropsy of the heart. It has been apparent for a long time that death would soon claim her as its victim, but she was ready when the Lord called her. As her children, husband and sister gathered around her bedside, she asked them to sing the following songs: �Nearer My God to Thee,� �Jesus Lover of my Soul,� and �I am Sweeping Through the Gates.� After they had finished the singing, in the inaudible tones, which her shortened breath only allowed her to talk, she gave them her blessing � not forgetting the brother and sister in their far western homes � and sweet assurance that she was washed in Jesus� blood. At 3 o�clock Saturday afternoon, September 19th, her spirit took its flight and Aunt Maggie was gone; not dead but sleeping the peaceful sleep of joy and rest after long suffering. She was a kind, devoted mother and grandmother and ever ready to minister to the wants of the suffering. Those who knew her best knew her only to respect and love her. Many sad regrets will be given by those who knew her so well; but when we recall those beautiful smiles of love, the assurance in her God, the consolation will come that she is resting at Jesus� feet. She will be missed in her home, in her church and in her neighborhood. The funeral occurred on Sunday the 20th, at 3 p. m. at Hixon Grove Church, Rev. Rice of Newton preaching the funeral sermon, which was a most fitting one for the occasion. The songs that she asked for were sung by the church choir, with Mrs. Cora Chambers as organist. The services consisted of the three songs, reading of the 91st Psalm and the text being the 7th chapter, 2nd verse of Ecclesiastes. The body was taken to our beautiful cemetery and amid a bower of flowers; it was lowered to its last resting place beside her daughter, Julia, who preceded her to that better land about four years ago. The closing song at the cemetery was �We�ll Never Say Good Bye in Heaven.� ~ The Newton Record, Friday, September 25, 1896, Page 5 Column 4 � Murphy
|