The Lebo Enterprise, 22 Sep 1898, Thursday

Martha E. Williams was born in Oldham county, Kentucky, Apr. 9, 1813, and was converted in the thirteenth year of her age. She joined the Methodist Episcopal church directly after her conversion and remained an earnest active member throughout the whole of her pilgrimage. She was married in 1830 to Hiram W. Williams and moved with her family to Indiana in 1831; settling in Morgan county near Monrovia, where they resided thirty-nine years. She was one of the first pioneers, and as such was not free from the hardships of that life. Dark hours came, loved ones departed and many things pressed heavily and sadly upon her, yet she bore all with patience and, casting her burdens on God felt able to overcome all opposition through Christ strengthening her. Her home was dedicated to the Lord--always open to Christian services, her house being used for preaching several years; her heart was always going out to help someone. Her hands were never too tired to minister unto those needing assistance; her storehouse never too scant to be shared with others. The Lord blessed them with eleven children, seven of whom, two sons and five daughters survive her. Two sons lost their lives in the service of their country, they with two sisters being summoned to enlist in the army of the King Immanuel.

Early in life the family altar was erected and was only suffered to lack its accustomed worshipers when death bade silence to the suppliant lips. In 1869 the family emigrated to Kansas settling near Emporia, afterwards they removed to the neighborhood of Hartford, and thence to Lebo, Ks., where they have since resided.

Mother Williams has always been a blessing to the community in which she lived; we cannot write her epitaph, but she has erected for herself a monument of noble deeds, and her life will long be remembered by what she has done. She was perfectly resigned to the Lord's will and was conscious, conversing freely to the last. Surely in the selection of a text for her own funeral, she gave from God's word the testimony of her life:--"I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith." For nine months past she had been afflicted with the fatal disease to which she succumbed, suffering untold misery yet bore it as one favored by the grace of Almighty God. As she has gone in obedience to her Master's calling, she has left behind a noble, christian record, with many sorrowing relatives and friends who all feel that those who knew her most loved her best.

On the morning of Sept. 18, 1898, death for her, was swallowed up in victory, being preceded by her devoted husband, who on February 21, 1891, also laid down the weapons of earthly warfare as a "good soldier of Jesus Christ."

Her remains were interred in Lincoln cemetery.

The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. P. P. H. Monroe, of the Emporia Grace church, assisted by Rev. J. C. Miller.

In parting with a mother dear,
The feelings who can tell,
That come up fro the inward heart
And sound the word, Farewell!

Yet she has gone on joyous wings
To an eternal Home.
And in that bright and happy land
She stands, and beckons come.

She's singing now, where sighs never come.
She lives where God doth reign;
And robes of victory she wears
Where pleasures banish pain.

O! God of pity, God of love,
Look, and our comfort be.
And help us in this trying hour
To put our trust in thee.

Yes, mother dear from us has gone.
We look for her in vain;
Yet feel with all our lonely hearts
Our loss is her eternal gain.

And in God's own good way and time
We all shall meet again and sing
In joyous chords of reunion song
The glorious anthem of our King.
--L. R.

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The Lyon County News and The Emporia Times, 23 Sep 1898, Friday

DEATH OF MARTHA E. WILHITE (sic)

Martha Wilhite was born in Kentucky 85 years ago. At the age of about 16 she was united in marriage to Hiram Williams and at an early date removed with her young husband to Morgan county, Ind., and then in 1869 came to Kansas and settled on Eagle creek in Elemendaro township. Later they removed to Hartford and then to Lebo where Mr. Williams died six years ago. Mrs. Williams last December came to the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. H. Gasaway, living near Plymouth where she remained until her death Sunday morning from the effects of a tumor and heart failure. She had not been well for many months. The children who survive her are, Mrs. R. H. Gasaway, Mrs. Wm. Hite, Mrs. D. H. Gard, living in Lyon county; Mrs. Rulison, of Coffey county; Mrs. William Dillon, of Kansas City; and her two sons G. W. and Andrew Williams, living in Iowa. These and a very large number of relatives and friends mourn her loss. She was a consistent Christian woman and had been a faithful member of the M. E. church for seventy years. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Monroe at Lebo Tuesday, where the remains were taken for burial beside her late husband.