Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Hunter, Rebecca (Knox)  May 24, 1907
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Patricia Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net September 5, 2022, 11:08 am

Lake Odessa Wave - Friday June 21, 1907

                               OBITUARY
                         REBECCA KNOX-HUNTER
Rebecca Knox was born at Painted Post, N.Y.July 19,1834 and died May 24, 1907, 
age 72 yrs., 10 months; her father died when she was four years old leaving her 
mother with four children. The eldest eight and the youngest two. She was 
married to Nathan Witherell June 27,1856. To this union were born five children,
Rider, William, Sylvester, Jennie, and Fred, a baby two months old when his 
father died in 1867.

Mrs. Witherell came with her husband and two children to Michigan from 
Rochester, NY. May 1856, they settled in the township of Sunfield then a dense 
wilderness. After the death of her husband Mrs. Witherell worked early and late 
indoors and out to provide for herself and children.

Three years later she married Henry S.Hunter. From this union were born three 
children, Thos. H., John E., and Margaret. Margaret died when four years of age. 
When about 13 yrs. of age Mrs.Hunter was converted and joined the Presbyterian 
church to Rochester, N.Y.. After removing to Sunfield she, with her family 
attended services of the Methodist church, traveling miles to do so until the 
year 1859 when a Presbyterian society was organized in their neighborhood and 
she became one of the charter members.

Mrs.Hunter has been a woman of great vitality and activity and it was always a 
treat to listen to her tales of pioneer life, of carrying fire brands when 
traveling through the woods at night, to frighten the wild animals away, of the 
long journeys in the wagon drawn by the ox team. And no one in the community was 
more ready for a frolic than she and if there was sickness or sorrow, no one was 
quicker to respond with the needed care and words of comfort.

Her house has always been famous for its hospitality. The latch string was 
always out and no guest was ever more welcome than the ministers of the Gospel. 
Having been reared according to the old Covenanter Faith believing that women 
should keep silence la the churches it was never easy for her to take part in 
public service but her daily life was a constant confession of her faith in and 
love for her Saviour and she was aways a helper in all the departments of church 
life.

Five years last October she with Mr.Hunter came to Lake Odessa to reside and at 
the time of her death was a member of the Methodist church, W.F.M.S.,Ladies Aid, 
W.C.T.U. and W.R.C. she having joined the latter society only the Saturday 
before her death bringing her card from the Sunfield W.R.C..Of late she had 
seemed unusually well and her sudden going is a great shock to her large circle 
of relatives and acquaintances who can only say, "It is God's will." She was a 
faithful friend, a loving wife and tender mother, and no more beautiful tribute 
can be given a woman. Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband 
also and he praiseth her.

Additional Comments:
Lakeside Cem.#3-435

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