Mikels - Hannah
Source: Crawfordsville Review Sat 1-1-1916
The Grim Reaper has been having a harvest at Darlington this week having four deaths in a little over two days. Frank HORNEY was the first stricken Monday noon followed by Aunt Hannah MIKELS on Tuesday morning, then Mrs. Anne GRIMES on Tuesday noon and Lafayette AUMAN Wednesday night. In addition to all this, word was received that Miss Caretta BALSER of Crawfordsville but a teacher of Bowers High School and well known here died Wednesday night.
Source: Crawfordsville Review Friday Jan 7, 1916
Hannah SMITH, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Smith was born in Xenia, Ohio Sept 1, 1825. Died Dec 28, age 90 year 3 months and 28 days. In Aunt Hannah was found the true Quaker descent as her forefathers came to this country with William Penn in the year 1682 and settled near Philadelphia. Her paternal relation came to VA about 1690 and settled in Hendrick and Berkley counties. Her grandfather Smith was an intimate friend of Washington and served as a captain under him during the Revolutionary War he moved to Ohio where she was born. In 1832 her parents moved to Indiana near Thorntown at that time an Indian Trading Post. Then they came to Darlington which was just a village. In the year of 1843 she united in marriage with George W. MIKELS and to this union was born 8 children, 7 whom survive, Wallace died here at his home March 17, 1899; those surviving: William of Chicago; Jacob of Plymouth; John of this place, Lafe of Judson; Mrs. John Buskirk of Shannondale; Mrs. George Jones of Camden and Mrs. Joseph Phillips of Claytonville, Illinois. The father, GW Mikels and eldest son William served in the Civil War. 16 years ago she united with the Presbyterian Church under the pastorate of Rev. Buckanan. For more than 80 years she has lived in and near this town by far the larger portion in the town. Since the death of her beloved husband which occurred in the year of 1893, she and her sister, commonly known as Aunt Jane have lived together in the old home in spite of the desires of her children to come and live with them. They have become old and infirm, Mrs. Mikels almost blind but she still clung to the old home until last Thanksgiving when she went to the home of Mrs. Buskirk. Some 10 days ago she became ill and the little spark of life became weaker and weaker day by day until as the sun began to brighten the earth Tuesday morning, her spirit which God gave her took its flight. Aunt Hannah will long be remembered by the people of Darlington as she who had seen the little city progress from the wilderness. In her the people had one of those who by hard work and privation have brought the wilderness to that which we live and enjoy today. - kbz