Wilhite - Mariah Crain
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 11 June 1897
Mariah Wilhite died at the home of Samuel Wray, her son-in-law, near New Market, June 5, 1897. Her maiden name was Crain, daughter of the late Simeon Crain, and was born in Kentucky in 1810. She moved with her parents to this state in 1829, settling four miles southwest of Crawfordsville. In March of the same year she was united in marriage to Finks Wilhite. They at once settled on a farm three miles south of Crawfordsville where she spent the remainder of her useful life.
Mariah Wilhite died at the home of Samuel Wray, her son-in-law, near New Market, June 5, 1897. Her maiden name was Crain, daughter of the late Simeon Crain, and was born in Kentucky in 1810. She moved with her parents to this state in 1829, settling four miles southwest of Crawfordsville. In March of the same year she was united in marriage to Finks Wilhite. They at once settled on a farm three miles south of Crawfordsville where she spent the remainder of her useful life.
To them were born seven children, Julia E., Lucy A., Mary J., Casander E., John S., Eleazar F. and William R. Of these four are living, Julia E. Wray, Lucy A. Steele, Mary J. Prewitt and Eleazar. Forty one years ago she was left a widow with five children to care for, the boys too small to run the farm, and it was hard the first few years to support the family and keep it out of debt, but by hard work and rigid economy she succeeded until the boys were old enough to manage the farm.
She was sixty years a member of the M. E. Church and most nobly has this saint of God exemplified the transforming and keeping power of divine grace. When death came, surrounded by her children, her mind was clear and bright. After giving some directions as to the disposition of some of her effects, she straightened herself out upon the bed and arranged her garments about her and then said: “I am now ready to go. My trust is in my blessed Savior. I am so happy I feel like shouting.” Thus passed away one that will never be forgotten by her friends and neighbors. Her house was always a home for the homeless as long as she kept house. Many have found homes under her hospitable roof for months, and even years, and in most instances without remuneration.
During the war she was intensely loyal, deeply interested in the welfare of soldiers. In several instances soldiers without homes and broken down in health were taken into her home and cared for free of charge until they were able to work. For the last twenty years she has not kept house but has made her home with her son, Eleazar, and wife, who occupy the old homestead. These years have largely been spent in going about from house to house caring for the sick and dying. There are many among both the rich and the poor who will remember her visits with feelings of the highest appreciation. In imitation of the Savior she went about doing good. Truly it may be said of her: “She hath done what she could.”
Her funeral took place at the home of Samuel Wray on Monday, June 7, at 2 o’clock, attended by a large concourse of neighbors and friends and was conducted by Rev. S. M. Hays, assisted by Rev. Brown, of the Christian Church. The remains were tenderly laid away in the Masonic Cemetery to await the resurrection of the just. - thanks to S