Nearing, Martha J. (Mills) 1846-1934
New Lisbon Obituary
Many Attend Nearing
Rites at New Lisbon
Deceased Was Direct Descendant of Pioneer Lull
Family
One of First Three Families to Settle
in Butternut Valley
New Lisbon, Jan. 16---Funeral services for Mrs.
Martha J. (Mills) Nearing, who passed away Friday evening, were
largely attended from the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr.
and Mrs. J. Ernst Thurston, at New Lisbon Monday afternoon at 2
o'clock. The services were in charge of Rev. H. E. Danielson of the
Morris Baptist church, assisted by Rev. Fred A. Mills of Brooklyn,
nephew of Mrs. Nearing.
Three duets, “Under His Wing,” “How Firm a
Foundation,” and “Abide With Me,” were sung by Rev. Mr..
Danielson and Rev. Mr.. Mills. Mr.. Mills also sang a solo at the
closing of the service. Each paid a fitting tribute to the beautiful
and quiet life lived by the deceased.
The beautiful flowers given by the family,
individuals, Morris Baptist church, and neighbors spoke of the love
and esteem for the deceased. Interment was beside her late husband
and son, Elmer, in Hillington cemetery at Morris.
The bearers were Ira Harrison, Nelson Naylor,
Howard Tilson and Frank Duroe.
Martha Jane Mills was born in the town of Morris, the
only daughter of Lafayette and Sarah (Johnson) Mills. At the age of
15 she came with her parents to New Lisbon, where the family located
on the farm known as the Mills homestead now owned by Howard Lull.
She married Orrin B. Nearing, a prosperous young
farmer and business man of New Lisbon, April 28, 1868. About a year
after their marriage, they moved to the Nearing farm here, where
their entire wedded life was passed.
She was a woman with an unusual quiet, gentle
disposition and a sincere Christian. The sympathy of a wide circle
of friends will be extended the family.
Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Lavinia Thurston,
with whom she lived; one son, Clarence Nearing of Portland, Ore.,
who was unable to attend the funeral; one granddaughter, Mrs.
Frances Canastra of Delanson; a great grandson; a niece, Mrs.
Catherine Hamilton of Oneonta; two nephews, Rev. Fred A. Mills and
Lee J. Mills of Brooklyn.
Out-of-town friends who attended the funeral were
from Hartwick, Unadilla, Morris, Oneonta, Brooklyn, and Delanson.
Addendum: I obtained the dates of her birth and death
from history on Ancestry.com. These probably are close, but may not
be completely accurate.
I came up with July 20, 1846 for her birth and January
12, 1934 for her death which would have made her 88 years old.
