From the Files: Life Sketch of Patience M (Bryant) Kemper

Patience (Bryant) Kemper was an early settler in Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana. She and her husband Arthur had eleven children. Among them was son General William Harrison Kemper, a prominent local physician, Civil War veteran, and editor of A 20th Century History of Delaware County. Two of her daughters, Zerelda and Sarah both married Thomas S Walterhouse, a well-known Indiana attorney. Mrs Kemper passed away on Oct. 30, 1881. This sketch appeared in the Muncie (Indiana) Daily News the following day.

GONE TO THE HOME BEYOND THE SKIES

Death of Mrs. Patience Kemper-A Brief Sketch of Her Life

At one O'clock Sunday morning Mrs. Kemper died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Cones, after having lived the life of a good and faithful christian, a tender and devoted wife, and a kind and loving mother. Her funeral took place this afternoon from the residence of her son, Dr. G.W.H. Kemper. The services were conducted by Rev. F.T. Simson, paster of the M.E. Church.
Her children living in this city and county are Dr. G.W.H. Kemper, Mrs T.S. Walterhouse, Mrs. Robert Cones, and Mrs. Ardery. She has two sons, living far from here-one in Florida and one in Iowa; also a daughter, Mrs. N. Gillam, living at Hartford City. All her children, except her two sons last spoken of, attended the funeral.

The following sketch of her life was read by Rev. Mr. Simpson in connection with the semon: Patience Kemper was born in Garrad County, Ky., Feb. 9, 1802, and died in the city of Muncie, Oct. 30, 1881, having reached the advance age of 79 years, 8 months, and 21 days.
Her maiden name was Bryant, and she was married to Arthur Smith Kemper on the 21st day of January, 1818. to this pair were born eleven children. Three sons and five daughters still survive. The husband and father died on the 31st of August, 1849, since which date the subject of this sketch remained a widow. 

In the year 1834 the family then consisting of husband, wife and seven children removed from Kentucky, and arrived in Rush county, Indiana, on the 10th of October. In that vicinity Mrs. Kemper resided for almost twenty-three years. After visiting her children in different localities she finally took up her permanent abode in Muncie, in 1859, from which date to the time of her death she was seldom absent from this county.

In early life she united with the Baptist Church and remained a communicant of that body until the removal to Indiana, when, finding not organization of that denomination in the vicinity, she cast her lot with the Methodist Episcopal Church, where she made her home to the day of her death. She was no religious bigot but loved all christians. Her children were her only jewels and she loved them with all the affection that can be measured by a mother's love. She was ever ready to suffer, to labor or sacrifice for their comfort and welfare, and in their presence she derived great happiness. She loved the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ and loved to talk about it and the anticipations of a home in Heaven. With her Religion and Heaven were facts that doubts never obscured. Shortly before her death while all the children but two sons were present, the question was asked her, What messages she had for John and Jefferson, and the ready response came: "Tell them I die in the triumphs of a living faith." Thus she died as she had lived-a practical christian, "coming to her grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in its season."  

Originally published 7/15/2013

Catherine Robe: A Find A Grave Success

While wandering around some old Muncie, Indiana, newspapers, I found a fantastic obituary for Catherine (Darnell) Robe. I searched for her on Find A Grave but found nothing in my initial search. Thinking outside the box, I searched for her last name and year of death. There she was. Her entry did not include her first name but the bio portion indicated this unknown woman was the wife of Josiah Robe. That clicked with the obituary that I had found. The death date was correct, too. I messaged the memorial manager who promptly added the obituary to the website. Later, another contributor added a photo of her beautiful zinc marker. The spelling varies a bit with 'Catharine' appearing on her marker. A community of contributors ensured that Catherine has not been forgotten. She was buried in Thompson Cemetery, Gaston, Delaware County, Indiana.

Muncie Daily News, January 17, 1890

Mrs. Catherine Robe, the subject of this notice, was born in Mongahala County, Virginia, May 13, 1816, and departed this life January 8, 1890, aged 73 years, 6 months, and 25 days. Her maiden name was Catherine Darnell. She was united in marriage to Mr. Josiah Robe, August 23, 1839. The result of the union was seven children - two boys and five girls. The husband and one daughter preceded her to the spirit land. Six children are left behind to mourn their loss.Immediately after her marriage in Virginia, she, with her husband, left the place of their nativity and emigrated to Indiana - a distance of over 400 miles. The trip was made in a wagon. They landed on the spot in Harrison Township, Delaware County, that Mr. Robe had formerly entered. They were in a waste, howling wilderness. Tangled forest around them had not been broken, and the wild beast roamed almost undisturbed. The prowling wolf made the night hideous. With these surroundings and all the difficulties incident to a pioneer life, they started out, and by industry that is only known to the sturdy pioneer, the forest gave way to fruitful fields, and as the years glided by joy and sunshine filled the hearts of this happy family in their cabin home. But alas, the severest ordeal is yet to come. The death angel came into this happy household and took the husband and father, leaving the wife and seven children in the wilderness thirty four years ago. To provide for these children and train them up for future life and usefulness was a heavy task, yet this mother looked upon these children as her own. She loved them as none but a mother could love. She accepted the situation, virtually saying "By the help of God I will keep them together." She did her work and did it nobly, and the children rise up blessed and call her blessed.She joined the M.E. Church when she was a girl, and always lived according to her profession. She was one among a class that worshipped in log cabins, when church houses were unknown in this vicinity. For six years she was an invalid, and for the last three years of her life her sufferings were intense. She bore it all with Christian patience. Religion was her consolation in life and her solace in death. She died in the faith.The writer conducted the funeral exercises in the M.E. Church at New Corner, assisted by Rev. Croan, to a large and sympathizing audience. God bless the sorrowing ones.-C.W. Boxell.

You may visit her memorial here:
Catharine (Darnell) Robe

Originally published on 7/29/2013