HAVILAND, Margaret Gifford - Putnam

Margaret Ann Gifford was born March 13, 1843,in Putnam County, Indiana and died at her home in Shaw, Kansas October 20, 1920, at the age of 77 years, 7 months and 7 days. In 1860 she was married to Anderson Springer in Filmore, Indiana. They were the parents of 6 children , Hattie Bell, Shirley Douglas, John Samuel, Myrtle, Winifred Springer and Ponticialla. Of that family, only 2 now survive, Mrs. Myrtle Howell of Shaw and John Springer of Galesburg. Mr. Springer died in 1887, Hattie Bell in 1863, Fonticilia in 1874, Shirley in 1885 and Winifred in 1888.  In 1889, she was married to John Haviland of Shaw, who died in 1916.  In girlhood, she united with the christian church of Shaw, which then held its meeting sin the old Shaw schoolhouse. She was a true Christian in every sense of the word. Each Sunday found her in church and Sunday school until March 14 of this year, when illness claimed her and she had been confined to her home ever since. In her illness she was ever cheerful and patient, being cheerful until her last breath.  Her children, Myrtle and John, who were with her when she passed could understand each syllable until the last when death peacefully and gradually carried her on to the Master whom she so faithfully served. As the cornerstone is to the building, so is the mother to the home. When she is taken away no other can take her place.  The entire community will miss this sainted woman who had worked and labored amoung them for the last 36 years, coming to Shaw in 1884 and living at the home place ever since. Her neighbors joys were hers and their sorrows were alike part of hers, not as a brooklet which shows all on the surface but as a deeper, mightier stream whose power is felt in the days to come.  Besides her 2 children, she leaves to mourn her loss one sister, Aunt Dode Christie of Shaw, one brother, James Gifford of Indiana, 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and a host of friends and relatives – thanks to findagrave