Obit--Clare, Clare Co, MI Elizabeth Wilson Lowry Reed Elizabeth Wilson Lowry Reed's obituary Clare, Clare County, Michigan Copyright © 2001 by Janet Wilkinson Schwartz. This copy contributed for use in the MIGenWeb Archives. MIGENWEB 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 MIGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the MIGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. THE CLARE SENTINEL, Friday, November 12, 1926 CLARE'S EARLY PIONEER DIES Mrs. J.W. Reed saw This City Established in a Patch of Timber Mrs. Elizabeth Lowry Reed departed from this earthly life at her home on West Seventh Street, Friday evening, November 5th, aged 75 years, 10 months and 21 days. Elizabeth Wilson was born near St. George, Canada, December 15, 1850. When but a young girl, she came to Saginaw, Mich. There she met Mr. Alexander Lowry and on October 2nd, 1867, she became his bride. This union covered a period of forty-nine years and six months, during this time, fifteen children came to gladden their home, thirteen of them are still living, two having died in infancy. Fifty-nine years ago, she with her husband came to this vicinity, before there was any city here, and took up a homestead two miles south of Clare, which is now known as the Ackerman farm. Her life since then has been spent in and around Clare. She and her husband shared together the hardships of pioneer life; he having to carry their food supplies on his back from Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Lowry purchased the first gallon of kerosene sold in Clare. On March 31, 1917, the "Grim Reaper" visited the home, and the beloved of her youth with whom she had so faithfully toiled, was taken away. On March 7th, 1918, she was again united in marriage to Mr. J.W. Reed, one of our grand old men of Clare, who survives her at the age of 92 years. Mrs. Reed became a Christian in early life and was baptized forty years ago, by one Rev. Harris, who now resides at Cedar Lake, Mich. Mrs. Reed loved her Savior, and through the years she manifested her Christian life many acts of kindness. She possessed an unusual charitable disposition and was a true friend to those in need. Although her family was large, and her husband and she were not wealthy, yet she many times divided what she had with her neighbors, when in those pioneer days, hard times knocked at their doors. More than once she took meat and flour from her own supply and divided it with those who were in need. She also took other children and mothered them as if they were her own. Although impossible with such a benevolent spirit, to accumulate earthly riches, she laid up for herself treasures in heaven, where the Saviour of men waits to reward those who like Mrs. Reed has served so faithfully. She will be missed by the community and by all who knew her. Mrs. Reed leaves to mourn their loss, her aged husband, J.W. Reed, thirteen children, five sons: Joseph, Archie and George, of Marion; James, of Cedar Lake; and John, of Alma; and eight daughters: Mrs. J.F. Piper, Mrs. F. Grover and Mrs. E. Daugherty, Mrs. George Sursaw, of Cadillac; Mrs. P. Waggoner, of Maniton Beach; Mrs. T. Van Ardsdale, of Flint; and Mrs. Burt Greer and Mrs. George Collins, of Clare; three brothers, Robert and George Wilson, of Clare and W.S. Wilson, of Denver, Colorado; two sisters, Mrs. Rachel Hendrie, of Clare; and Mrs. Fannie Denner, of Peoria, Illinois; also thirty- one grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren, together with a host of friends. Her children were all present at the funeral service. Those out of town, not including her children, who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. George Gordon, of Detroit; Mr. and Mrs. Drexel David, of Jackson; Mr. and Mrs. Archie McLeod, of Marion; Mrs. Claude Foote, of Cedar Lake; and Frank Wilson, of Midland. Funeral services were held in the Clare Methodist church Sunday, November 7th, at two p.m. conducted by Rev. E. T. Smith, pastor, and Rev. Harris, of Cedar Lake, Mich.