The passing away of Mrs. Ira Hadley on Wednesday afternoon of last week, December 15, 1920, at her home eight and one half miles northwest of this city marked the end of the earthly career of another of Comanche-co's early day settlers and best-known citizens.For over two years Mrs. Hadley had been in failing health, her ailment being arterial trouble and complications resulting in paralysis. She had been confined to her bed for several months, having almost completely lost the use of one side of her body. Although her suffering was prolonged and at times severe, she was patient and uncomplaining. In those long months of suffering were revealed many of the nobler qualities which characterized her entire life. She had realized for some time that her recovery from bodily ailments was scarcely to be expected and that her time on earth was nearing a close, and while there were the regrets of being separated from earthly associations with her loved ones and friends yet she was sustained by the hope and the assurance that beyond this life the just shall live again and enjoy eternal life in the presence of God and His son, the world's Redeemer. Hence when the end came she passed peacefully out of this life and away from earthly scenes to that life, eternal with the redeemed of earth. Mrs. Hadley was conscious to the end, and as the Death Angel called her she was ready for the summons.
D. Ellen Gillum was born in Fountain-co., Indiana, on May 24, 1853. On January 20, 1878, near Harveysburg, Ind., she was united in marriage with Ira Hadley. In the year 1888 the family moved from Indiana to Arkansas and there made their home for about a year. They moved from that state to Comanche-co. in the year 1889 and settled on a claim 8 1/2 miles northwest of this city and there they continued to make their home. Throughout all the years of hard times and partial crop failure, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley showed their faith in the country by staying with it and helping to every way possible in its upbuilding and improvement, and in many ways they contributed to that end. In all that was wholesome and helpful in the community life they took a prominent part. They were widely known as citizens of the highest and best type. Mr. Hadley died on November 20, 1918, after which Mrs. Hadley and the children continued to conduct the affairs of the farm. Mrs. Hadley's health, however, kept her closely confined to her home practically all the time. A family of seven children are now bereft of father and mother, yet they have the assurance of having the richest legacy that can come to any children - the life-time example and inspiration of Christian parents. The children are: Frank Hadley of Halsey, Ore., Morton, Fred L., Howard L., Butler, and Thomas O. of this county and Mrs. Ola Seaman, now of Hope, Kans. All of the children except Frank were present at the funeral.
Funeral services were conducted from the home on Thursday, December 16, at 2:30 p.m., Rev. Guy W. Harvey of the Friends church being in charge. Interment was in the Coldwater cemetery by the side of the husband. At the time of her death, Mrs. Hadley had attained to the age of 67 years, 6 months and 21 days. Hers was a life well lived, for during all the years she was permitted to live she was ever thoughtful of the welfare of her family and the happiness of those about her. In countless ways she manifested the real christian spirit. Nearly all her life she had been a devoted and consistent follower of the Man of Galilee, and in this hour of death her faith still clung to him as Her savior. In her last hours the words of Bryant very fittingly apply. With the poet, she, out of her own experience, could say as the end came:
Go thou, not as the quarry slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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