Canby - Louisa Hawkins - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Mrs. Louisa H. Canby died at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon at the residence of Nichols McCarty, No 122 North Pennsylvania street. Her decease removes one who was well known, not duly in this city and state but who bore the name as a devoted wife and widow of one of the most prominent figures in American Army life, the late Gen ERS Canby.  Mrs. Canby was born in Georgetown KY Oct 10, 1818, being the oldest child of John and Eliza Hawkins. When she was yet young her father removed to Crawfordsville this state and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1825 the family moved to this city where Mr. Hawkins established one of the first hotels with notion store annex, that deserved the name in Indianapolis. Here with the training that had been afforded her in Kentucky., she made use of all the educational means at command at that time.  From 1825 until 1838 her life was spent almost entirely at home, where she was known as a most affectionate and dutiful child. At the age of 20, she married ERS Canby of Crawfordsville then a Lt. in the US Army and graduate from West Point.  Soon after this marriage the young officer advanced in military circles and during his service he was accompanied in almost all of his details by his wife. From 1839 until 1842 they were together in Florida where the young officer was stationed as quartermaster and commissary of subsistence. From that state at the close of the Seminole war, Mrs. Canby went with her husband through all the Northern Army posts along the frontiers and up the lakes. In March 1846 Lt. Canby was appointed adjutant of his regiment and at the outbreak of the Mexican war again began active service. While in Mexico his wife through her constancy in the hospital, became known as the Yankee Angel it being a common thing for her to travel the entire distance between two hospitals 50 miles in one day to minister to the wants of the sick and dying. This charity was but an example of that which characterized her throughout her entire life.  Leaving Mexico, Mrs. Canby accompanied her husband through California then back to Washington after which he was promoted to the rank of major and sent to Utah and afterward to New Mexico. At the breaking out of the rebellion Major and Mrs. Canby returned to the states and while the wife remained for the most part at home, the husband was actively engaged in fighting for the Union.  In 1872-3 General Canby was engaged in bringing the Modoc Indians to terms of peace and on April 11, 1873, he was killed through a broken truce. His murders were, however, afterward captured and executed. The remains of the officer were brought to Crown Hill Cemetery. The death of her husband was a great grief of Mrs. Canby and from it she never recovered. During the past winter she spent a great deal of her time with relatives in this city but her failing health was apparent to all who knew her. About a month ago she returned after a brief journey and gave evidence of weakening physical powers. To the last she retained her mental acuteness, and died in the hope of Christian faith.  No children survive her, the only one to which she ever gave birth having died some years ago. Mrs. Canby was a woman of strong will power, philanthropic to an unlimited degree and known by all her friends and acquaintances as one of sweet disposition.  Originally reared a Methodist, she afterward identified herself with the Swdenborgian faith. Of late years, while she was not closely identified with active church work, she practiced the most rigid principles of religious doctrine in everyday life. She was generous to charities, faithful in ministering to the needy and ever a friend to the helpless. Her remains will be placed by those of her husband in the family’s private lot. - kbz