GARNER, Mary Johnston - Putnam

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GARNER, Mary Johnston

Source: Greencastle Star, 12 March 1881 p 6

Died March 2d, 1881 in Monroe Township of heart disease at 11:40 a.m. aged 49 years 4 months and 17 days – Mary Jane, wife of Solomon Garner, and daughter of Thomas and Jane Johnston two of the early pioneers of Putnam County, Ind. The deceased was born in Putnam County near Greencastle, oct 15, 1831 and was one of a family of 9 children – 6 boys and 3 girls of which she was the youngest. Only two of the family survive her, one brother, Archibald Johnston the second oldest and America J. Thomas, the second youngest of the family.  Her mother died when she (the deceased) was in the 13th year of her age, after which she lived with her brother, Archibald Johnston until she married Solomon Garner on November 21st 1850 at the age of 19 years 1 month and 6 days in the same house which she was born by the Rev. Mr. Staggs, a minister of the ME Church. She lived to be the mother of 8 children, two of whom died in infancy. The following six: James E. Garner Julia M. Reeves; Martha A. Reeves; Wm. A; Laura B. and Mary F. Garner are still living to weep over the grave of a beloved mother. The deceased joined the ME Church in 1846 professed a hope in Christ in 1847 and lived a faithful and devoted member of the ME Church to her death and died in the triumph of faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – fully reconciled to her death, surrounded by many relatives and friends who mourn the loss of so dear a friend. But we are commanded not to mourn as those who have no hope. In her death her husband has lost a kind and devoted companion; her children a loving and indulgent mother; her relatives a true and faithful friend; her many friends a kind and good neighbor; the church a faithful and Christian member. The funeral services held at Mt. Pleasant Church, Putnam County on Friday March 4th, 1881 at 10 o’clock a.m. conducted by Rev. Smith of Greencastle, a minister in the ME Church who delivered a very appropriate discourse from the following words: “Who can count the dust of Jacob and the number of the fourth part of Isreael. Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his.” Numbers 23:10. The remains were followed to the grave by many weeping relatives and friends to pay their last tribute of respect to a departed friend and relative. - kbz
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