FROM THE KAY LASH COLLECTION, CARNEGIE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF STEUBEN COUNTY, ANGOLA, INDIANA. SARAH (CURE) CONKEY, 28 Apr 1825 - 17 Jan 1912 Sarah Cure was born in Barton, New York, April 28, 1825, and passed into a higher life from her home in Orland, Jan. 17, 1912, aged nearly 87 years. She was the youngest of a family of seven children, four girls and three boys. In 1843 she was united in marriage to Manning S. Conkey. Five children blessed his union, two sons and three daughters. After spending a few years of wedded life in her native state, she moved with her husband to Norvoue, Illinois, and from there to Paw Paw, Michigan, where her little daughter Amanda was laid to rest, aged three years. The family next located in their home near Flint, Indiana. In 1862, Mr. Conkey and their oldest son enlisted in Co. B, 100th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and were soon called south. Serento was in Co. C. 12th Ind. Cav. Before going to war, Mr. Conkey joined the F. & A. M. order in Orland. He was wounded at Mission Ridge, Tenn. Early in the fall of 1863, Mrs. Conkey received the sad news of the death of both husband and son at the same time. Mr. Conkey was killed in an engagement at Jonesborough, Georgia, and her son died in a hospital at Huntsville, Alabama. In this dark and trying hour of sore bereavement, the grief-stricken wife and mother felt her burden of grief and sorrow greater than she could bear, and the way looked long, drear and lonely. Gathering her little family of three about her, she prayed her Heavenly Father to give her health and strength to keep her home and maintain the loved ones spared her. Faithfully for years she performed her part, and ever true to His promises to the widow and the fatherless, her prayers were answered. Orland has been her home since 1866. In 1870 her eldest daughter, Mrs. Emeline Tilson, was called to join those gone before, leaving a little daughter to the care of her mother. Mrs. Conkey accepted this sacred trust and gave to her all the tender, loving care a mother's heart can know. In return she received the thoughtful, grateful affection of a true daughter. When she, too, was called to leave her husband and two little ones and go from earth forever, Mrs. Conkey felt her cup of sorrow full to overflowing, and was only soothed and sustained by her Savior's promise, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end." For several years, Mrs. Conkey and her son Manning have lived together, he doing all in his power for her happiness and welfare. Her only daughter, Mrs. John Nyce, of Angola, was a comfort to her in her declining years. She was strongly attached to her children and tried always to make her home homelike and cheery. She was fond of flowers; they responded generously to her loving care in blossom and perfume. Three years ago she suffered a serious illness, caused by lung fever, from which she never fully recovered and was never again able to attend to her household duties, much of the time being confined to her bed. At the age of sixteen she united with the Methodist church. Through all her manifold trials and afflictions she never lost faith in her God, her Bible and its promises. She knew her Master's voice when He said, "Come with me," and was willing and ready to go. She will be missed in the home. Although afflicted and almost helpless, the home will be lonely without her. Yet, after all the weary years of serving and waiting, how beautiful for her to be called to her reward. Passing out of the shadow, into a purer light; stepping behind the curtain, getting a clearer sight; passing out of the shadow into eternal day----why do we call it dying, this sweet going away. Funeral services were held from the home, Friday at 2 o'clock. Rev. Gray officiating. Beautiful flowers which Mrs. Conkey loved so well, covered her casket. The O. E. S. and F. & A. M. sent floral tributes as tokens of sympathy and respect. Rev. John Humfreys, of Angola, assisted Rev. Gray. Burial in Green Lawn cemetery. OTHER ITEMS IN THE KAY LASH COLLECTION: ORLAND NEWS - MRS. A. B. JEFFREY, LOCAL EDITOR George Lackey, of Kalamzoo, attended the funeral of his grandmother, Mrs. Conkey, last week. Mr. A. J. Snyder, of Angola, came last Friday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Conkey. Mr. Snyder was a comrade of Mrs. Conkey's husband, having enlisted in the same company and regiment, Co. C. 100th Indiana. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Sarah (Cure) Conkey, 28 Apr 1825 - 17 Jan 1912, married Manning Shephard Conkey, 05 Apr 1817 - 31 Aug 1863/1864 (Cem. Book and 1885 History say 1864). They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery, Orland, Steuben County, Indiana. CHILDREN: Sorento B. Conkey, 1844 - 15 Sep 1863/1864, buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Emeline S. (Conkey) Tilson, 1848 - 1870/1871, married a Mr. Tilson. Emeline is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Mr. Tilson's burial place unknown. Eveline (Amanda?) Conkey, 1852 - 1854, buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Manning S. Conkey, 07 Mar 1855 - 09 Dec 1923, buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Ori C. (Conkey) Nyce, 1859 - 1943, married John W. Nyce, 1856 - 1931. They are buried at Circle Hill Cemetery, Angola, Steuben County, Indiana. "History of Steuben County, Indiana, 1885:" Page 388, One Hundredth Infantry, Company B: Conkey M. S. (Manning Shephard), mustered in as a Sergeant, Aug. 15, 1862, killed at Jonesboro, GA, Aug. 31, 1864. Page 393, Twelfth (One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Regiment) Cavalry Company B: Conkey, Sorento, mustered in Dec. 16. 1863, died at Huntsville, Ala. Sep. 15, 1864. 1880 United States Census, Orland, Steuben County, Indiana, Family History Library Film #1254312, NA Film Number T9-0312, page #260D, Lists Dellie Conkey, daughter, age 12 who is probably the granddaughter that Sarah raised. Steuben Republican, 21 Aug 1912, "Old Settlers" Death List, Sarah Cure Conkey. "Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, Vol. 1, page 393; Vol. 2, pages 1370, 1371. www.familysearch.org - 1880 United States Census - Sarah Conkey. Submitted by Mona Hilden-Beckwith e-mail: hilbeck123@att.net