OBIT: Harriett (Clark) REED, 1907, native of Franklin County, PA

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A Noble Woman Called
The Life Story Of A Woman Beloved By All Knew Her.

Maiden Name was Harriet Clark,
Daughter of Samuel Clark, Substantial Farmer of Franklin County, Pa.
It was nearly fifty years since the writer was permitted to enter a circle of
choice spirits at Empire near Emerson, and enjoy their intimate companionship. 
What warm hearts, what hospitable homes.  But one  by one they have passed to
their eternal rest, and now we are called to mourn the departure of another of
the few remaining members of that happy group, our tried and beloved friend,
Mrs. Reed

"Gentlest in mein and mind
Of gentle womankind.

Her maiden name was Harriet Clark, the daughter of Samuel Clark, a substantial
farmer of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, whose county seat, Chambersburg, it
will be remembered, was partly burned by the rebels under Garly in 1864.  Her
childhood was passed among pleasant influences of the beautiful and historic
Cumberland Valley.

She was born December 6, 1823, was married to Benjamin Reed on February 23,
1842, and twelve years afterwards, or in 1854, the family removed to Illinois,
opening a farm on the prairie north of Emerson, which became the home for thirty
years.  Here they reared their large and dutiful family.  In 1885 advancing age
obliged Mr. and Mrs. Reed to leave exacting labor to younger hands, and Sterling
has since been the residence, in the familiar brick house on Second Avenue.
For several years our dear friend suffered from a seated disease which was badly
sapping the citadel of life.  But no murmuring.  The quite heroism of Christian
faith gave grace that sustained under long discipline of trial.  She seemed to
live in the spirit of that sweet hymn of Elizabeth Prentiss:

Once earthly joy I craved
Sought peace and rest,
Now thee alone I seek,
Give what is best.

Well may her children arise and call her blessed, for no more devoted mother
ever lived.  Her household was her world, no outside diversions had any
attraction, her sole aim was to minister to the comfort of her family and her
friends.  That cheery voice, that cordial hand, that pleasant smile, will never
be forgotten by those who ever had the happiness of entertainment under he
kindly roof.

Eight children remain to cherish the memory of an excellent mother;  Ellen, who
married James McDowell, now in Sterling; Emily, or Mrs. Joseph Bedner, in Cedar
Rapids; Kate, or Mrs. J.C. Lockhart, Eskridge, Kansas; John, Reuben, Frank,
Clara  who married Frank Taylor, Sterling, and Edna.  Of the once numerous
family group there are now in the home only Frank, the venerable husband and
father, Benjamin, who like Milton, is sitting in age and lonelness and Edna, who
loyal tenderness so  long soothed the lingering sorrow of a dying mother.
Mrs. Reed was a life- long Lutheran, one of the first members of the church in
Sterling, and a regular attendant of the service here and at Emerson, when her
health permitted.  The sanctuary to her was not a duty, but a delight.  She felt
with Dr. Dwight:

Beyond my highest joy
 I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.


Source:
The Sterling Standard, Sterling, Illinois, Tuesday, 16 July 1907, page 4, col 3