MRS. STEPHEN WIGGINS

Funeral of a Woman Who Suffered for More Than Half a Century

Hickory Grove, or as it now called, Truce, in Providence township, was the scene on Sunday of the funeral of a remarkable woman, Mrs. Wiggins, the wife of Stephen Wiggins (who survives) of that place. Internment was made at Laurel Hill She was the daughter of the late John Bowman, of Smithville, who died a few years ago at the advance age of ninety-six years. For more than fifty years of the seventy-seven which composed her life span, she was an uncomplaining sufferer from a cancerous tumor of the breast, and for many years past the malignancy of the disease confined her to the house. For a few months past every movement of the heart was plainly perceptible., and her death, which occurred on Friday, was expected with each recurring day. As the advancing stages of the disease made it impossible for her to leave the house, she devoted all her time to a study of the Bible, a copy of which was seldom out of her hands during her waking hours, and, the good book in fact was the main topic of her conversations. She was a most amiable woman, and was possessed of many estimable qualities of heart and mind, which gained for her a large circle of friends, as was attested by the immense concourse that followed the corpse to its final resting place. She was the mother of thirteen children, twelve of whom survive as follows: David, residing in Indiana; Samuel, Rawlinsville; Benjamin, Smithville; John, Providence township; Robert; Providence township; Henry, postmaster at Truce; Clayton, Smithville; Mrs. John Shaub, New Providence; Mrs. Henry Powden, Lancaster; Mrs. John Keener, Lancaster; Mrs. George, Miller, Providence township, and Hattie, widow of the late Martin Shaub, now residing at Truce. Of the above all except David were present. Mr. Charles Powden, of this city, who is a grandson of Mrs. Wiggins, has a picture of a group comprising John Bowman, Mrs. Wiggins and her living children, their children and grandchildren – five generations in all.

Suggested bio addition from her obituary obtained from Faye Nicholas
sent to me by FAG contributor Paul Andrews