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Note: N8979 Emily Montague Bohannan
Died, Mrs. Emily Montague Bohannan, wife of Dr. Thomas Bohannan, aged 78 years, 3 months and 8 days.
On the morning of July 14, 1899, at "Sydenham", Jefferson county, Kentucky, while yet the dewdrops undissolved lay upon the grass of the maple-shrouded lawn; and in sight of the place of her birth, noble old "Clover Hill", in the many houred day of middle-summer, the spirit of Emily Montague Bohannan took its flight to the realm beyond the mortal ken. And surely to that bourne, "whence no traveller returns," there never passed a sweeter, or a better prepared spirit. The end of a long and well-spent life, sank into eternity in the glow of summer's sunniest month, and like a sheaf at harvest time was she gathered to her departed kindred by the great reaper. Over such a death friends are not called to mourn; for it is but the natural close to earth's weary pilgrimage, beyond where golden milestones shine the golden gates of heaven. But on the contrary they must sing Hosannas that earth is ended and heaven is begun. The life of my sister was a living illustration of the depth of religious sentiment which gave grace and glory to a well-balanced and noble womanhood. It was her fortune at an early age to marry happily and live continuously with the husband of her youth for more than sixty-one years. Her husband, Dr. Thomas Bohannan, now in his eighty-fourth year, and retaining much of the vigor and sprightliness of his physical youth; and all of the mental characteristics of a carefully cultured and receptive intellect, has been an ever-present staff and comfort; and their children, living and deceased, have been to them sources of comfort and consolation, in the midst of those years of good and ill fortune. And now, at life's close, having seen and revealed that strong and excited character which has ever shed white light and encouragement to their paths, they with one consent rise up and call her blessed, for she has been to them like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, giving solace and renewed life. A character so unique needs no eulogy, but the bare facts to point its excellence. No human being of whatever race or lineage applying to her for aid or counsel was ever turned away without the bone desired. And of her it might be fitly said:
"The memory of the just smells sweet and blossoms in the dust."
As a Christian, she was undemonstrative, but showed rather in her acts than in her words, the faith that gave guidance to her love-inspiring life as a sister, she was cheering, loving, considerate, and responsive; as daughter, dutiful, loving and devoted; as a wife, loving, true, constant and ever helpful; and as a mother, the most kind and affectionate of women. Among her acquaintances, "None knew her but to love her. None named her but to praise her."
On many a life the sheer of her influence will be felt on earth's paths, and at the grand assize, will quote from the fly-leaf of a book presented to her on the sixtieth anniversary of her marriage, October 11, 1897:
Dear sister;
These thoughts on life are only meant
To give the cheer and compliment,
For him to live, and what the way
Thy life doth teach, from day to day,
To those who know and need thy love,
With gentle tenderness learned above,
By kindly love and precept ample,
But best, and highest by example
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