Thomson Review, July 21, 1932

Mrs. Elizabeth Hartman Laid to Rest In Chadwick Cemetery Friday

A host of sorrowing friends and relatives of Mrs. Elizabeth Hartman gathered at her house and at the Hope church Friday afternoon to pay their respects to the friend of mankind who had passed on the Eternal Life. The solemn and beautiful funeral services were held under the direction of Rev. S. G. Eberly, assisted by Rev. G. Wykle of Geneseo. Interment was made in the Chadwick Cemetery.

Members of the Rahn quartet, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Rahn, Miss Kathryn Rahn and Elmer Rahn, sang three hymns which had been favorites of the deceased, in a splendid manner. The songs were "In The Sweet Bye and Bye," "Asleep in Jesus," and "Farewell Mother." Floral offerings of all sizes and of rare fragrance surrounded the casket at the home, showing that during her long and useful life Mrs. Hartman had made a great many friends who had now assembled to show their love for a kindly soul who had answered her Master's call.

Mrs. Elizabeth Hartman, nee Reister, was born in Hessen Darmstadt Germany, August 18, 1844, and died at her home in Chadwick, Illinois July 12, 1932, at the age of 87 years, 10 months, and 25 days. At the age of 12 years, she with her parents bid farewell to their native country and came to America, where they sought greater liberties and better conveniences in making a livelihood for themselves. They located in the vicinity of Chadwick where she has spent her entire life.

In September 1866, she was united in marriage to Henry Hartman. (Transcriber's Note: The Illinois Statewide Marriage Index gives the date as November 13, 1866.) God blessed this union with eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, At the age of twenty years Mother Hartman gave her heart and life to God, and united with the Evangelical church, of which she has been a loyal and faithful member until death.

Her long and useful life in the church, during which she was always willing and ready to do such things as she could in honor of her God, has impressed her influence for righteousness both upon the youth and the aged. Her life was not an easy one strewn with flowers and sunshine, as well one knows she reared a large family, but one of trials and heartaches. But in all this she never lost faith in God, who was a great comfort and help to her. Her fellowship with God molded her character and disposition in a marvelous way, and made her a most kind and affectionate mother, friend, and neighbor. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She leaves to mourn her deep loss three sons and six daughters: Mrs. John Zugschwerdt, John Hartman and Mrs. Lewis Bachman, all of Garden City, S. D.; J, W. Hartman and Mrs. A. C. Burke of Waterloo, Iowa; Mrs. George Traum of Mt. Carroll; Mrs. Wesley Kness of Thomson, Henry Hartman of Chadwick and Miss Mary Hartman at home. Thirty-eight grandchildren and thirty-seven great-grandchildren as well as many other relatives and friends also survive. Her husband, one daughter, Katie, and a son, George, preceded her in death.

Pall bearers were Etter Humbert, Hiram George, W. J. Schreiner, David Gipe, O, H, Imel, and John Frank.