WHITTINGHILL, Sophia Matilda (Weller) 1844 - 1930
Courtesy of Cindy Ellis

 The subject of this sketch, Sophia Matilda Whittinghill, nee Weller, was born in the state of Missouri on the 12^th day of October, 1844, and departed this life at Ellsworth, Indiana, on the twenty-third day of September, 1930, having reached the advanced age of 85 years, 11 months and 12 days.

 She came with her parents to Warrick county, Indiana in 1847, where she grew into womanhood and met and was married to Dr. Benjamin F. Whittinghill on the 10^th day of November, 1867, who yet survives her, and to this union was born eight children, five sons and three daughters. The three eldest sons have preceded her in death, Morton, William and Armyn, and surviving her are Numa, Logan and her three daughters Stella, Sophia and Amanda. She also leaves thirty-five grand children and thirty-three great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn her loss.

 In 1922 she became a member of the Christian Church at Cuzco, Indiana, and was always glad to attend church services when circumstances would permit and was ever faithful and devout to God; she was a devoted wife, a solicitous and gentle mother and grandmother, and kind and loyal friend and neighbor, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

 About fifty-four years ago, she with her husband and children came to Hillham, Indiana, where they resided until 1893 when they then removed to Ellsworth, Indiana, where she lived until the Angel of death, came in the stillness of the night, and while she slumbered to call her Home, and her passing was as peaceful and serene as the full life she had lived, and she was at Peace with God when the end came, and her entire life in a noble example of Faith and Love.

 The following few lines are a fitting tribute to Mother Whittinghill and perhaps best expresses the sentiments of those most near and dear to her.

 A picture I see of a beautiful face,
Reflecting an image of heavenly grace;

A Gift of the highest and sacredest worth,
That God ever gave to his Peoples on earth.

A picture which shows many traces of care,
And yet an expression of sweetest love there:

The works of the rarest and loveliest art,
A picture of mother, that’s framed in my heart.

No time can efface this picture I see
Each day it grows dearer and dearer to me;

And tho she has crossed to her Haven of Rest,
Sweet memories of mother lie wrapped in my breast.

The print of her footsteps again I can see,
Her voice I hear saying “My dear follow me”

No artist can paint me a picture so fair,
It takes a true mother, her love, faith and prayer.