Here it is the beginning of a new work week for many people and I want to start this week off by transcribing a document that is important to my family research.
Amanuensis Monday is a weekly blog theme that was started by John Newmark, the author of TransylvanianDutch blog. John defines Amanuensis as "A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another." I also appreciate the good work and format examples of San Diego genealogist Randy Seaver of the blog Genea-musings. Thanks guys.
Transcribing helps me to learn what a document contains. I have learned over time that I have a tendency to "skim" over an item; a bad trait for a researcher who needs to learn even the smallest details documented records contain. Transcribing helps me to slow down and "smell the roses."
The document I am transcribing today is an obituary written for Anna Brown, my maternal great-grandmother. Or perhaps more easily, my mother's paternal grandmother. This obituary is unusual in that is is hand-typed. I found this document in the family papers left by my Grandpa Brown, my mother's father. Grandpa was Eugene John Brown, eldest son of Thomas Eugene Brown and Anna Nittler. One of Eugene's family may have typed it and gave it to him. Either the ribbon on the typewriter was blue or this is perhaps a duplicate copy made with carbon paper. There is definitely a blue appearance to the typed letters found here. The paper is aged to a soft yellow.
I haven't studied my maternal ancestors in a very long while. I remember being very glad to come across this treasure, but never followed up to see how it matched whatever was published in the local newspaper at the time. I still need to conduct that inquiry. In the meantime it is fun to have this hand-typed document to share with everyone.
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IMAGE; Hand-typed obituary for Anna
Brown (1870-1937). From the family collection
of Darlene M. Steffens.
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-------- transcription begins --------
"The Golden Gate was opened wide,
A gentle Voice said 'come',
And angels from the other side
Welcomed our dear one home."
Anna, daughter of the late MR. and Mrs. John P. Nittler, was born in Germany Fef. 22nd, 1870; and slipped away to be with her husband and other loved ones whom she loved and lost awhile, on Sunday night Sept. 26th, 1937. She had been busy with the joys, the pleasures, the toils and burdens of life for 67 years, 5 months and 4 days.
She came to America with her parents when 10 years of age.
June 30, 1897, she was married to Thomas E. Brown, and their union was blessed with four children; Eugene of Hines Oregon, Earl and Thomas of Casey Iowa, and Mrs. Marguerite Burg of Clifton Hill Mo. The husband and father died Oct. 28th, 1935.
Besides her children and seven grand-children, mrs. Brown is survived by three brothers and one sister. They are: John and Mike Nittler of Omaha, and Nick and Mrs. Beacher Boblett of Casey.
She sustained a stroke in the spring of 1934; this was followed by another one early in 1937. Since then she has gradually lost her grip on physical life -until last Sunday night when she fell asleep, and her spirit found release from it frail earthly house and departed to be with God- there to dwell "in the House not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
She had a Christian heart. Her faith was "the faith of the fathers", faith in God and implicit trust in the Saviour who loved her and gave Himself to purchase her salvation.
Always a devoted wife, a loving mother and steadfast friend, she is mourned by all those who knew her and shared in her tender ministeries. Her life has been a blessing to us all and we hope to live with her forever in the skies.
How beautiful to be with God
When earth is fading like a dream,
And from this mist-encircled shore
We launch upon the unknown stream!
No doubt, no fear, no anxious care,
But comforted by staff and rod,
In the faith-brightened hour of death
How beautiful to be with God.
Beyond the partings and the pains,
Beyond the sighing and the tears,
Oh, beautiful to be with God
Through all the endless, blessed years;
To see His face, to hear His voice,
To know Him better day by day,
To love Him as the flowers love light
And service Him as immortals may!
Funeral services were conducted from the home in Casey Iowa, and burial made in Dalmanautha Cemetery beside her beloved and mourned companion, September 28th, at 2:00 P.M. ReV. E.R. Stroud of Redfield conducted the services.
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The URL for this post is: http://homefolktales.blogspot.com/2016/05/amanuensis-monday-obituary-for-anna.html.
Please comment regarding this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then use the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Or contact me by email at dsteff4246[at]gmail[dot]com. I am glad you stopped by today.
Copyright (c) 2016, Darlene M. Steffens. All rights reserved.
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