SLAVENS OBITUARIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== SLAVENS, George Washington 1829 - 1907 Clinton, MO, July 1907 - Buried Yesterday - The funeral of George Slavens, who died Tuesday night of old age, was conducted Wednesday by Rev. A. N. Lindsey, after which the body was laid to rest in Bethlehem Cemetery. Uncle George was one of Henry County's pioneer residents. - G. W. Slavens, who for some time has been in poor health, died at his home on East Ohio street Tuesday evening July 23, 1907, at 7:15. A native of Ohio and was born in Scioto County, November 23, 1829 and came to Henry County in 1837 and located in Bethlehem township, where he owned one of the best farms in the county. A few years ago he moved to Clinton and bought a neat cottage on East Ohio street. Married three times, and a devoted and heart-broken wife, with five children, by his first two wives survive him. A member of the Christian church and a man among men. Funeral at Bethlehem. Mr. Slavens came to Missouri with his parents when he was nine years old. In 1851, he, with his father and a number of others, went to California in search of gold but were unsuccessful. On returning home, he homesteaded some land and added to this from time to time until he owned one of the most pleasant and comfortable homes in Henry County. On August 4, 1853, he married Miss Nancy Jane Parks but, in a few years, death claimed her and he was left with six little ones. He had to taste the bitter cup so often in life. Two of these children, Willie and May, died in childhood and John R. died in California and left a wife and two children; the oldest, Mrs. Mary C. Ballard, lives in Washington, Mrs. Susan Crews in Liberty and Mrs. Jessie Parks in Henry County. Seven years later he married Mrs. Agnes Jane Nichols on August 31, 1873. She brought with her one son, James P. Nichols, who lives with his family near Brownington. This union had four children; Mrs. Edna G. Brown, who lives near Clinton; Effie B., who died at 16; Mrs. Nannie Brown and Chas. S. Slavens of Clinton. When the youngest of these was five weeks old, the mother was taken away. Mr. Slaven's widowed mother lived with him and one could see him going to her room three times a day to see if she was warm and comfortable. He was married March 1, 1885 to Mrs. Sallie Brown. They, with her three boys, Harry, Frank and Allie, and the four that were there always had a joyous welcome for the older children when they visited the dear old home and today ten children mingle their tears together for the loss of him who found great pleasure in making for them a pleasant and comfortable home. SLAVENS, Sarah "Sally" SETTLES BROWN 1848 - 1954 Mrs. Slavens Dies At 105 - Death came like a gentle benediction to Mrs. Sally Slavens at her home at 318 East Ohio Street Monday evening, March 15 at 6:15 at the age of 105 years and 2 months. Sally Settles, daughter of James and Louisa Fielder Settles, was born in Pike County, and her parents moved to the LaDue community during the Civil War period when she was a small child. She was the last surviving member of a family of twelve children. Her last brother, J. H. Settles, preceding her in death February 28, 1940. At the age of 18, she married Manetha Brown and lived the rest of her life in or near Clinton. To this union, three children were born: Harry of Dillon, Montana, Allie of Gravette, Arkansas, and Frank, who died April 3, 1942. Later, on March 1, 1885, she became the wife of G. W. Slavens and gave loving care to the four small step children. After the death of Mr. Slavens in 1907, she took into her home and gentle guidance many young school girls, and friendships were formed that have endured, even through the twilight years of her life. With these young people, she remained young in heart, and her face mirrored the contentment and cheery spirit within. She remembered only the good and the happy in the people and the events in her long, full life. Always, her mind was clear and her convictions strong and her interest genuine in friends and neighbors. One of her greatest regrets in later years was that her failing eyesight would not permit her to read her beloved Bible. She delighted in having her favorite scriptures read and the 23rd Psalm was one of these best loved passages. She was converted at the age of 18, uniting with the Christian Church, and she exemplified in every word and deed the highest Christian principles. As the years past after the allotted three score and ten, the anniversaries of her natal day were given in notices in many metropolitan papers. On the occasion of her one hundredth birthday, she proudly displayed a purple orchid sent with the congratulations of Tom Brenneman from the Breakfast in Hollywood program. On this occasion, Mrs. D. B. Ambrose, who had made her a birthday cake for twelve consecutive years, baked a beautiful cake and placed 100 candles on it. The radio broadcast on her 103rd birthday was also a memorable event when the Clinton Eye's radio reporter interviewed her in her home and broadcast the interview the following day over KDKD. She had a serenity of spirit that all might strive to emulate, and she met each new day with courage that was an inspiration to all who knew her. President Truman was among the many visitors who came previous to her 105th birthday, and he presented a lovely bouquet of flowers. Her faithful friend, Miss Mattie Logan, has assisted in her care for the past three years. Surviving are the sons, Harry and Allie, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Edna Brown, and many other relatives and friends who loved her and will miss the pleasant association. The funeral was held at the Clinton Christian Church at 2:00 Wednesday, March 17, the Rev. A. N. Lindsey officiating. Burial was in Bethlehem Cemetery beside her husband. Pallbearers were Elmer and Charlie Slavens, Everett and Clark Brown, John Slavens Uel Brown. Mrs. James Marx accompanied the choir as they sang "My Work Is Done", by Carrie Jacobs Bond and "Someday the Silver Chord Will Break". ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Henry County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mohenry/henryco.html Contact the Henry County Coordinator for comments or corrections. ====================================================================