CLODFELTER, Mary Sayler - Putnam

Mary M. Sayler was born of English parentage on June 10, 1818, was married to Matthias Clodfelter, June 24, 1839, died Feb. 23, 1896. Mrs. Clodfelter joined the Univeralist Church in 1844 at a private house in Putnam County, long before any church house was built in this part of the country, and has ever since lived a consistent Christian life.  She raised ten children to be grown and one grandchild, five of whom survive her, viz: M. E. Clodfelter, Mrs. J. R. Etter, Mrs. T. E. Ballard and Mrs. E. E. Ballard, all of this city and N. J. Clodfelter, of Indianapolis. She took her granddaughter, Mrs. C. R. Britts, when an infant and reared her with that same tender care she nursed her own.  She was one of the good old pioneer women, she and her husband settling on a forty acre tract of land in Ripley Township, this county, in 1840, moving on horseback, both riding the same horse, carrying with them all their belongings. By industry, perseverance and good management they afterward carved for themselves and family a beautiful home.  Mrs. Clodfelter was a progressive woman, denouncing all things superficial and believed in leading a practical, useful life. Although she was deprived of an education in her young days, as most of the pioneers were, she was a close observer, a great reader, and possessed of excellent judgment, consequently ranked with the intelligent women of modern days.  At a great sacrifice she and her husband educated that large family, not with a mere skimmering of knowledge of text books, but gave every one of them a thorough, practical education that makes each of them today useful men and women. Everybody knew her to love her, and many heavy hearted men and women will call to memory today her many kindnesses and weep that she is gone. And no mother was ever more fondly loved and tenderly cared for than was this one by her children, and certainly if kind deeds and loving care is to be rewarded as the evening of life gathers around these children, gentle hands will soothe their furrowed brows and guide their tottering footsteps through paths of flowers into that haven of eternal rest, where partings are no more.  The funeral occurred at the family residence on West Wabash Avenue, conducted by Rev. T. S. Guthrie of Logansport and Rev. C. F. Bushnell of this city, on Tuesday at 10 a.m. she was laid to rest by the side of her devoted husband in the most beautiful Oak Hill Cemetery. -s

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 28 February 1896

Mrs. Mary M. Clodfelter died at her home on West Wabash Avenue Sunday afternoon at 5 o’clock, after a long and painful illness. Funeral was conducted from the house Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock by Revs. T. S. Guthrie and C. F. Bushnell.  Mrs. Clodfelter was 77 years of age and was the widow of Matthias Clodfelter, formerly of Ripley Township. She was the mother of N. J. Clodfelter, M. E. Clodfelter, Mrs. T. E. Ballard, Mrs. E. E. Ballard and Mrs. Dr. Etter. She was a lady of many noble qualities and lived a life of usefulness and honor. -s