Martha Jane (McCollum) McMillan
Obituary

Mrs. Martha J. McMillan, one of Stafford county's pioneer residents, died on Tuesday of this week at her home five miles southwest of this city. She had been critically ill for several weeks, her affliction being of the heart and lungs. Although of advanced years, aside from two or three severe spells of sickness many years ago, she had always enjoyed fairly good health until her fatal illness came her. During this illness she suffered severely, but she bore her affliction with great fortitude until death relieved her of all earthly pain and trial.
The life of the deceased was in many ways one of unusual interest and exceptional activity. The mother of twelve children, her time was of necessity full of household duties and family cares. The interests of her children were her own interests always, and she was a constant inspiration to them. Great must have been her satisfaction to watch them develop into capable and worthy citizens, to rear families of her grandchildren, and several of these to bring forth yet another generation, for it fell to her lot to view the rise and progress of three generations. Until a few months ago death had never entered the immediate family circle, when one son, Heber B. McMillan, was called away. She was an ideal mother, and she enjoyed the highest respect and esteem of her children.
Martha J McCollum was born in Harrison county, Ohio on September 26, 1831. Here she grew to young womanhood, when she moved with her parents to Jackson County, in the same state, and here she was united in marriage to W Johnson McMillan, on Dec 21, 1850. They returned at once to the old home country of Harrison where they made their home until they moved to Missouri in 1872. Four years later they removed to Kansas, spending a year in Reno county and then moving again to this county (Stafford County, KS) where they settled upon the farm which has since been their home and where she died on Sept 28, 1909. She had passed the 78th birthday anniversary just one day before her last. Mrs. McMillan had been a member of the United Brethren church since the age of fourteen years.
Her (ex) husband, nine sons and two daughters survive her, all of whom were present at her funeral except one son, Elmer. The children are: Washington F and James G. of Ohio; George J., Ashbury L., Johnson T., John Elmer, William M., Henry F. (Alice's Grandfather), and Rutherford Hayes, Mrs. Mary Viola (Serenus) Amend and Mrs. Martha Jane (W.T.) Buckle, all of whom reside in this county.
The deceased came of long-lived stock. She had two sistrs who lived to advanced age, and has two sisters still living, and one brother who lives in Hutchinson, and who is now eighty four years of age.
Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home, conducted by Rev. Lyman F. Mulhollec, pastor of the M.E. church of this city. The remains were laid to rest in the Stafford Cemetery.
While the family is bowed down with grief at their great loss, their bereavement must be tempered with the knowledge that the life which has gone out was full and complete, and the eternal rest which is now won was well earned. She had accomplished her mission on earth, and the manifold duties which had been laid upon her she had performed faithfully and well. Of all the trials that are visited upon mankind the eternal parting with "mother" is the most sever, but then is solses and calm in the realization that she passes away in the fullXness of years, followed to the rave by an almost unbroken family of children who loved her to the point of passsion, sad whom she loved as only a mother can.

Note: Obit provided by Alice Lockridge (#47488892)