MRS. A. E. PHELPS

Her Death Occurs Three Weeks and Two Days After that of Her Husband -- An Ogle County Pioneer -- A Family Doubly Bereaved

"Death is the Crown of Life:
Were death denied, poor man would live in vain,
Death wounds to cure; we fall, we rise, we reign;
Spring from our fetters, fasten to the skies,
Where blooming Eden withers from our sight.
This King of terrors is the Prince of Peace."

Another member of the family of the late James C.T. Phelps, of Kansas City, Missouri, has been summoned by the Angel of Death. This time our dear mother was called and her spirit passed to its Maker, January 17, 1896 -- three weeks and two days after her husband's demise.

For forty-eight years they had traveled life's journey together in loving harmony, and when death separated this devoted couple the shock attendant upon it was greater than the faithful wife could overcome, and she too lies at rest lamented by the many who knew her sterling qualities. She, not alone, was an exemplary wife but also a tender, loving mother, whose first thought and care was for the dear ones of her home, and how sadly will she be missed. It had been the desire of these two who have passed from this earth, that they might go down the shadowy valley together, but the Unseen Power willed it otherwise -- but after a few sorrowful weeks in which interests in this life were dim for the waiting wife, she was reunited to her husband.

Anne E. Swingley was born at Clear Springs, Maryland, May 20th, 1829. She was a daughter of the late Nathaniel and Eliza Swingley, pioneers of Ogle county. They removed from Maryland with their daughter, herein mentioned, was about ten years of age and purchased government lands two miles west of Mt. Morris -- their land at that time adjoined the John Phelps farm, and here at the home of Mr. Swingley, on December 21, 1847, occurred the marriage of his daughter to James C.T. Phelps, the son of his friend and neighbor.

To this union eight children were born -- two, Mrs. Rilla S. Merritt and Charles N., have preceded their parents and were laid to rest in our beautiful Riverview cemetery, and the remaining children live at Kansas City, with the exception of the oldest, Mrs. Ella Fridley, her home being in Minnesota. To this afflicted family the sincerest sympathy is offered by their friends in this community. E.

(From Ogle County Reporter, Oregon, Illinois, Jan, 1896)