Obits Henry Clay and Mary Ellen Withers (1904, 1915), Pueblo County, Colorado Transcribed and donated by Mary C. Smith May 1, 1999 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ OBITUARY: HENRY CLAY WITHERS, 1904 Source: "Pueblo Chieftain," Pueblo, Colorado Date: 12 December 1904 VENERABLE PIONEER FOLLOWS THE TRAIL TO THE GREAT BEYOND Henry Clay Withers, Like a Tired Child, Goes to His Rest. Falling asleep as quietly as does the baby at its mother's breast, Henry Clay Withers, one of the best beloved of the pioneers of the great West, last night passed "over the range" to the great beyond, death coming at 7:30 o'clock, after a lingering illness which had gradually sapped the strength of the venerable man. At the bedside at the moment of dissolution were two of his sons, and so quietly was the hold on life relinquished that neither of the watchers could realize that the end had come. Up to almost the last, aged Mr. Withers had been hale and hearty beyond what could have been expected of one of his years. At that time (?) was he felled (?) with a severe attack of grippe and from this he seemed to have never fully recovered. About five months ago he fell victim to dropsy and gradually declined in strength until the end came. At the time of death he was aged 73 years 3 months and 14 days. Arrangements for the funeral have not as yet been completed but it is probable that the venerable pioneer will be carried to his last resting place some time tomorrow, services being held at the late residence, 1025 West Fifteenth Street. Henry Clay Withers was born in Garrett [sic] county, Kentucky, Aug. 29, 1831. He was of sturdy pioneer stock, and when he was but 8 years of age he was taken by his father to western Missouri, then the border land of civilization. The father was one of the pioneers of that region and was one of the men who made western Missouri a garden spot. In 1852 Withers joined Colonel Aubrey, well known to the history of the early west, in a trip across the great plains, going with the "pathfinders" as far as Sonora, Mexico. In the fall of the same year he returned to Missouri and on Dec 21, 1852, at Harrisonville, Missouri, he was united by marriage to Mary Ellen Sharp, who now bowed by years and the weight of her widowhood is left to mourn for her life partner. From 1852 to 1860 Mr. Withers lived with his family upon his farm in Cass County, but he had tasted of the charm of the great west and in 1860 he recrossed the plain, going to Albuquerque, N.M., where he remained but a short time, then going to a station on the overland trail known as Iron Springs, located about a hundred miles east of Pueblo. This is now a station of the Santa Fe railroad and is known as Thatcher. He was station agent at Iron Springs when his wife and two sons, G. G. and Francis, joined him. The family lived at the stage station until 1863 when a raid by hostile Indians caused the speedy evacuation of the station and the Withers family went to Trinidad where Mr. Withers engaged in the hotel business. This business was followed after removal was made to Fort Union, N.M. In 1868 Mr. Withers returned to Missouri, locating at Pleasant Hill where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In the spring of 1870 he came to Pueblo where he has since resided and has reared his children to manhood and womanhood. First coming to Pueblo, Mr. Withers engaged in the hotel business on Santa Fe Avenue at the site of what is now the Elks' club. Later he conducted a livery stable on the site of the present White & Davis store at the corner of Third and Main streets. In late years, he, retiring from active life, has lived quietly at his comfortable home in North Pueblo. He was a devoted member of the Methodist church south and was active in church work as well as in social life and in business circles. Never having a taste for politics he never accepted public office from his fellow citizens. There is left to mourn the aged wife, three sons and three daughters, G. G. Withers, Francis A. Withers, Mrs. W. T. Booth of Boise, Idaho, Mrs. Albert I. Goodell of Northport, Wash., Mrs. Eva W. Lowe of Pueblo and Luther Clay Withers of Boise, Idaho. With the exception of Luther C. Withers and Mrs. Goodell, who could not get here in time, all of the children were with the mother when the blow fell. Of the family of Mr. Withers, none survive except a sister, Mrs. Cynthia A. Berard, of Beatrice, Neb. ********************************************************************* Source: "Pueblo Chieftain," Pueblo, Colorado Date: 14 Dec 1904 HENRY C. WITHERS LAID TO REST Touching in the extreme were the services which marked the last of earth for Henry Clay Withers, one of the pioneers of the great west, who in his long residence of thirty-four years in Pueblo had so made himself a portion of the life of the city that when his summons came a sense of loss was felt by all. The services were held at the late residence, 1025 west Fifteenth street, yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock, and the major portion of the older residents, besides many of the later friends made by the venerable man, were present. Among those from other cities who attended the funeral were Mrs. T. P. Aairheart of Cripple Creek and Mrs. Frank E. Boynton of Colorado Springs. The services were conducted by Rev. J. C. Jones of the First Methodist Episcopal church, south, who spoke touchingly of the life of the man whose going out and coming in among the people had been so long noted, and whose life had been a sweet sermon in well doing and an inspiration to his fellows. Music was furnished by a choir consisting of Miss Groff, Mrs. Kellogg, Will Greer, and J. H. Loor, singing two of the favorites of Mr. Withers, "Rock of Ages" and "Abide with Me." Upon the conclusion of the services, the casket, borne by Captain J. J. Lambert, H. M. Morse, M. Studkinski, Charles Otero, Theordore M. Strong, and L. H. Davison, was taken to the hearse and, followed by a long line of carriages, conveyed to Riverview cemetery. The floral tributes were of unusual beauty, American beauty roses predominating, although a ripened sheaf of wheat combined with a wreath of roses was a striking feature. The flower bearers were John B. Veith and Theodore Cramer. Tributes were there from M. D. and Mrs. Thatcher and Mahlon Thatcher, Mrs. T. P. Aairheart, Mrs. Frank Boynton, and two from employees of The Chieftain. (Transcribed by Mary C. Smith from copies of the microfilmed articles, with thanks to Noreen Riffe, Special Collections, Pueblo Library District, Pueblo, Colorado. The name of Riverview Cemetery was later changed to Roselawn Cemetery.) ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* OBITUARY: MARY ELLEN WITHERS, 1915 Source: "Pueblo Star-Journal," Pueblo, Colorado Date: 14 July 1915 MRS. H. C. WITHERS DIES; FUNERAL WILL BE FRIDAY Surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren, Mrs. Mary Ellen Withers was summoned by death this morning at 2:30 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Harries, 1107 Lake avenue. The news of Mrs. Withers' death, although expected, will be received with deep sorrow by her many personal friends. Mrs. Withers was born September 2, 1832, in Richmond, Va., and came to Colorado in 1862. For the past 45 years she has resided in Pueblo. She was the widow of the late Henry Clay Withers, who died in this city several years ago. Surviving her are one sister, Mrs. Sarah F. Moffatt, 428 West Pitkin street; two sons, G. G. Withers, of Pueblo, and L. Clay Withers, of Butte, Mont.; three daughters, Mrs. W. T. Booth, of Boise, Idaho, Mrs. Albert Goodell of Spokane, Wash., and Mrs. Robert Harries of Pueblo; also 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The funeral will take place Friday morning at 9:30 o'clock from the Harries residence. Interment will be in Roselawn in charge of the McCarthy Undertaking company. ******************************************************************* Source: "Pueblo Star-Journal," Pueblo, Colorado Date: 16 July 1915 FUNERALS ....... The funeral of Mrs. Mary Ellen Withers, wife of H. C. Withers, was held this morning at 9:30 o'clock from the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Harries, 1107 Lake avenue. The Rev. S. L. Chambers conducted the services which were attended by a large number of sorrowing friends. The floral tributes were profuse and beautiful. Miss Rilla Rourke, Miss Florence West, Charles Greene and William Young, accompanied by Mrs. H. S. Branscomb, sang "Abide with Me" and "Lead, Kindly Light." Pallbearers: G. G. Withers, Jr., E. E. Withers, Walter Lowe, James A. Magill, J. Knox Burton and Robert Harries. Flower bearers: Edward Harries, Theodore Cramer, Arnold Young and Otto Rettberg. Interment in Roselawn in charge of the McCarthy Undertaking company. .... (Transcribed by Mary C. Smith from photocopies of the microfilmed articles, with thanks to Noreen Riffe, Special Collections, Pueblo Library District, Pueblo, Colorado. Mary Ellen Withers was the daughter of Samuel and Frances Thurman [Lyon] Sharp.) ******************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. *******************************************************************