10/7/1922

MADAME WEBSTER IS DEAD

Beloved Pioneer Resident Passes Away at Age of 87. Came to Illinois in 1836 from East

On Sunday morning, October 1st, the Angel of Death called in our midst unexpectedly, summoning Lucy Ann Webster to the home eternal after a long life of nearly 87 years. Up until a short time ago she actively assisted in her household duties and enjoyed getting out of doors and down to market, although a heart ailment prevented her from taking the long walks and exercise during the past few months, that she formerly loved to make. Only a little more than a year ago she made a trip to the coast alone, visiting her sister in Clairmont, California.
In the death of Madam Webster, a loss is felt that is particularly keen among every one of the community to whom she was a constant and most loving and sympathetic friend.
Lucy Ann Dodge was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Dodge, born October 8, 1835 in Fredonia, N.Y. She was the third child of ten children. In 1836 the family migrated to Illinois, purchasing a farm a few miles north of Downers Grove, and were among the early settlers of this section of the country. In their home was held the first religious services in the neighborhood.
Lucy Dodge was educated in the district school, and later attended the public school in the village of Downers Grove. At the age of eighteen, January 1, 1854, she was united in marriage to John W. Webster and for several years they resided on a farm in York Center. In 1870, Mr. and Mrs. Webster moved to Hinsdale and were among its early residents. Their family of eight children were brought up and educated in our village and most of them have established homes here. Mr. Webster's death occurred many years ago.
During the fifty-two years that Mrs. Webster lived in Hinsdale, she drew unto herself many warm friends who found in her a happy temperament, warm sympathetic heart and cheerfulness of mind that won devotion and fostered the ties of friendship. In the family to which she devoted her life in its fullest measure, she was a devoted wife and an ideal of motherhood. Yet with her busy home life, Mrs. Webster found time to devote to church work a liberal share of her energy and in the woman's organization of the Union church of which she was a member, she was an ardent and industrious worker.
In the home where she lived life to the fullest she leaves a void too great to adequately measure. Eight children, Mrs. William Everndon, Mrs. J.A. Hall, Mrs. Bertha Irvine, Mrs. Lois Shannon, Mrs. Sherman Trowbridge, Edna L., Nelson H. and Leroy D., mourn the loss of a mother endowed with a nobleness of character, sweet, lovable disposition and purity of soul that gave happiness to the home circle. Besides the children, the deceased leaves one brother, Dr. H.O. Dodge of Boulder, Colo., two sisters, Mrs. Bertha Stover of Fairmont, Cal., and Mrs. Rose Trevor (Trever?) of Wheaton, Ill.
Funeral services were held in the late home Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, the Rev. W.A. Rowell officiating. A large number of sorrowing friends gathered at the home for the services and to pay their last respects to their beloved friend. Interment was made in the family burial lot in the Torode Cemetery.
"Till we shall meet her, in the land that lies ‘Beyond the great divide'. we needs must say, Our lives are better for the life she lived - are richer for the legacy she left."