Obituary for Isabella Ross-McNeil, Long Rapids, Alpena County, Michigan Copyright © 1998 by J. Maccon. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ Please review and publish my great grandmother'(Isabella Ross-McNeil)'s obituary in the Alpena County Archieves. She was born in Lancaster, Glengarry County, Ontario, the greatgranddauther of a Loyalist in the Revolutionary War. Her family moved to Ottawa County, Quebec Province in the 1850s and pioneer the Silver Lake area near Buckingham. She met my great grandfather, David McNeil, around 1860 through Ross relative coworkers in a Derry Township, Ottawa County lumber camp. They married in the early 1860s, had a child, and they emigrated to Alpena in 1864. They moved to the Long Rapids area around 1880. Their 1890s constructed home stood for many years and burned to the ground a year ago. Mrs. David (Isabella) ROSS McNEIL MRS. DAVID McNeil “Her faithful work reward by a crow of life in glory.” Mrs. David McNeil, born June 12, 1846, died Oct. 6, 1904 We are again called to announce that the angel of death has removed from among us, Mrs. David McNeil, widow of the late David McNeil, who fell asleep in Jesus, on Thursday evening, Oct. 6, at the family home, in Long Rapids, surrounded by her children and many loving friends. She arose in the morning, in her usual health, but was taken seriously ill shortly after eight o’clock, and Dr. Purdy was summoned; also Dr. Bell, of Alpena, but medical aid was of no avail, and she passed away; softly and gently her breath left her. Thus she died in the same way she had lived. A mother who could not be excelled in her lovely ways, and who survived her husband only one year, three months and two days. They were parted but a short time. She lives six children, John McNeil, Mrs. L. McNeil, Mrs. Col. Munro, Mrs. John Thompson, Miss Fanny and James, the two youngest who lived with her on the farm, and also one of her sisters who is with these two are present--beside nine grand children, five brothers, four more sisters who live in Ontario, and many other relatives and hosts of friends who live in Ontario, and many other relatives and hosts of friends who were heart rended when the sad news was told. Mrs. McNeil was born in Lancaster, Ont., on the St. Lawrence river, where she and her dear sister played in childhood’s happy days. She came to Michigan after her marriage, and spend many years in her home here where she and her family are hold in the highest respect. She was a life-long Baptist, and joined the First Baptist church in Alpena, when Rev. F. N. Barlow was the pastor. Mrs. McNeil was a true, devoted Christian, ever charitable in public and private life as well, kind sympathetic and cheerful, always helping those in trouble, which seemed to make her like a guardian angel to all who ever knew her. She was the financier of the L.O.T.M.M. of Long Rapids, and also a member of the Rebekah lodge 340, I.O.O.F. The funeral was held from the home, on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 9, Rev. S. S. Clarke, of the First Baptist church, of Alpena, officiating, under the auspices of the Rebekahs. The casket was like that of the father, only draped in black silk fringe--a plate bearing the word “Mother,” which is woman’s highest office. The floral offerings were very profuse, any many tributes from loving friends. The floral offering from the Rebekahs was lilies; from the I.O.O.F. a crescent of pink carnations, and the letters in white silk chenille. “From the L.O.T.M.M.,” roses and carnations, from the Sir Knights carnations. She looked so calm and sweet among the flowers she loved so dearly, and she was surrounded by cut flowers and plants while she lay in the home where there is something in every room that “Mother made or arranged.” The home was filled with loving friends who came to show their tribute of respect to one they dearly loved, and the remains were followed to the cemetery, by a long cortege of friends, where she was laid beside her husband. The grave was arranged beautifully in white and flowers and we can say, the rain only was a token of tears for her, and the grass and gateway of her home were wet with tears of rain, for she would never enter them again. Cannot we say truly the earth wept? The choir was composed of Mrs. Chas. McCollum, Mr. Niergarth and Grant Martindale; Miss Jennie Busby, organist. The hymns were, “Asleep in Jesus,””No Dying There,” “We’ll Never Say Good Bye in Heaven” and “Nearer My God to Thee.” The pall bearers were W.A. Hall, Alex. Wilson, Thos. Boynton, John Dunford, D. McEwen and I. Snider, all member of the I.O.O.F. Mr. and Mrs. John Mulvena, Mrs. D. Mulvena, Mr. and Mrs. Will Mulvena, Mr. and Mrs. Laville Prince, Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Mellen, relatives of the deceased, all attended the funeral, coming from Alpena. Now dearly beloved ones we will say that although these two noble people have been taken from among us, their memory will never leave this county, for their charity and benevolence. The hand of kindness and sympathy is extended from all the bereaved family in so sad an hour. A home of peace, and plenty and love, God gave to Father and Mother The next blessing was a girl and boy from above, Emma dear, next John, our blessed brother; And then was given Dollie, Hattie and little Fanny, three sisters dear Who helped in every way the home to cheer An yet our little brother James whose birthdate Made complete this chair and sphere; We numbered eight; oh still we number eight. The years rolled on, al bright and gay, Amid all the blessings God has given, Alas, this gold chain is broken--Father has passed away, O beloved friends one like gone! only seven, We all loved Mother, she was heart broken, But when a little past a year, One more like--this time its mother dear-- Only six links of the chair are here. God had need of the other remain clear, They are joined now in heaven. The flowers were all in blossom grand When father passed away-- It was the nation’s holiday, When all was stilled in our home, That had always been so blithe and gay, But Mother left us in the golden autumn or fall. The harvest gathered and enough for all. The needed none; she heard her Saviors call:-- Dear mother looked so sweet among the roses where she lay, And the lilies white by her loving lodges given. Each child kissed her as the Angel bore away Her soul or spirit which is safe in heaven. ‘Tis hard to part from a mother so kind, so true, But the sermon and the hymns did tell-- We shall meet if we believe and trust like you, And with our Savior forever dwell. No tears of sorrow will our hearts swell: If we will only try God’s will to do, And His love and mercy give. To those dear orphans in their distress. Though the sheep were taken from this fold The six ma’s may still God’s hand hold-- When we al meet in the city of gold, Our Mother and Father we still behold. Though our chain now must sever, The links will be joined forever in eternity Forever, yes, beloved forever! Our Savior knows our life and fate, Our death He know and our birthdate O, still we are eight, oh, Savior we are eight. Mother dead, but we shall miss her In the long and coming years; We shall miss her loving presence Passing through this vale of tears, We shall miss her in the springtime, When the fairest flowers bloom; And when moaning winds of winter Sweep around her lonely tomb. Mother dead, and still we would not Call her back to earth again, >From the home of joy unending, There eternal love shall reign. We shall meet her in the mansions, In the realms of bliss so fair, When our days on earth are ended, We shall meet our Mother there. The above sketch of the late Mrs. David McNeil was written by Libbie Windross, sacred to the memory of her. Libbie composed and arranged the first five verses, and the last tow were added, as she loved them when in life. Miss Windross also wrote the life of David McNeil. Mrs. Frank White, of Alpena, attended the funeral of her friend, Mrs. McNeil; also Mrs. Ed. Wyman, W.A. Prince, Geo. McKay, Angus McDonald, and A.A.A. LeRoy. J. E. Denton furnished all requirements as he did for her husband. Mr. and Mrs McNeil had always lived the sweet words of McKinley, “God’s will, not mine, be done.” dz