OBIT: Annie (PUTERBAUGH) GRAFFIUS, 1880, Martinsburg, Blair County, PA

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MARTINSBURG MATTERS.
DEATH OF MRS. ANNIE P. GRAFFIUS.

  Our entire community was shrouded in gloom this morning at the 
announcement of the sudden and unexpected death of Mrs. Annie P. 
Graffius, the wife of Martin J. Graffius, Esq.  Mrs. Graffius had been 
suffering from puerperal fever, but was convalescing from the attack 
and had been sitting up in her room since Monday last.  This morning 
she seemed stronger than at any time during her convalescence, and only 
an hour before her death she was cheerful and happy, and in a 
conversation with her husband was very joyfully anticipating the time 
when restored to her usual health she would be able to again assume the 
superintendence of her household.  Soon after her husband's departure 
from the house Mrs. Graffius was seized with an attack of syncope; her 
little son two and a half years of age being the only occupant of the 
room at the time besides herself.  She fell from the chair on which she 
was sitting to the floor, and after recovering from the first severe 
struggles of the attack made her way to the bedside, a distance of some 
six or eight feet, where she was found by a girl who had been summoned 
by her little son.  The girl assisted Mrs. Graffius to bed, and called 
her husband and friends, but on their arrival she was unconscious, and 
continued in that condition until her death, which occurred at 10 
o'clock.  Mrs. Graffius was the daughter of the late David and 
Elizabeth Puterbaugh, and was born in the month of August, 1844, 
consequently at the time of her death was in her thirty-sixth year.  At 
the early age of fourteen, she associated herself with the Methodist 
Church, to which denomination she has been a consistent and faithful 
member ever since.  She was known throughout the entire community as an 
unassuming Christian woman.  "None saw her but to love her; none knew 
her but to praise."  Her religious life was manifest in the 
faithfulness with which she endeavored to discharge her Christian 
obligations.  She filled a large place in many hearts that now mourn 
her departure, but they remember her in heaven, at home with her Lord, 
whom she faithfully and trustingly followed in life.  She sleeps, but 
still lives.  "The memory of the just is blessed."  "The righteous 
shall be held in everlasting remembrance."
  She died as sets the morning star,
  Which goes not down behind the darkened west,
  Nor hides obscured among the tempests of the sky,
  But melts away in the sunlight of Heaven."
  Mrs. Graffius leaves an afflicted husband, four children (one of 
which is only three weeks old) and a large circle of relatives and 
acquaintances to mourn her loss.  The time for her funeral has not been 
decided yet, on account of the desire of her friends to hear from 
relatives in the west.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Friday, March 5, 1880

BURIAL OF MRS. GRAFFIUS.

  Annie P. Graffius, a notice of whose sudden death appeared in the 
TRIBUNE of the 5th inst., took place from the residence of her husband, 
M. J. Graffius, Esq., at 1 o'clock P.M., Saturday last.  Her remains 
were followed to their last resting place by an immense concourse of 
sorrow stricken relatives and friends.  The following gentlemen acted 
as pass-bearers: David Klepser, M. B. Sykes, Prof. J. H. Stephens, Wm. 
Roberts, H. C. McCamant, J. D. Rhodes, M. J. Shiffler and H. C. 
Bollinger.  At the grave the services were conducted by Rev. M. L. 
Smith according to the impressive ritual of the Methodist Church.  
After the interment was made the large assembly repaired to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which was not large enough to accommodate 
the audience, some having to return to their homes.  The services at 
the church were under the direction of Rev. M. L. Smith, assisted by 
Revs. Dr. Gibson and Barr of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. F. A. Rupley 
of the Reformed Church, and Rev. J. H. Esterline of the Church of God.  
Addresses were delivered by Revs. M. L. Smith and Dr. Gibson.  Mrs. 
Graffius had so endeared herself by her unassuming Christian character 
to all with whom she came in contact that, out of a universal desire to 
show the respect and esteem in which she was held, almost the entire 
community was in attendance upon her funeral.  Indeed it is the general 
remark that hers was the largest funeral ever known in this vicinity.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Monday, March 8, 1880