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The funeral services were conducted, by Rev. T.T. Holton, of Bloomington, in his characteristic impressive manner.
The pall bearers were Philip Ward, J.B. McCormick, W.H. Bowles, J.W. Sumner, James Gilchrist and Henry Shirley. All children of the deceased were present, which was make possible only by postponing the funeral from Monday to Tuesday several coming from distant points. Interment was in Bethel Cemetery. The following obituary was read by the officiating pastor during the services.
Martha Maia Griffith Miles was born at Bethel, Vermont, February 22, 1827/ She was there married to Marcus A. Miles on July 2, 1848. Ten years later, 1858 they came to Illinois and lived for two years on Allen Quisenberry's farm; then for two years on the farm of Anderson Miller. They then purchased 40 acres of the farm now occupied by Reed Quisenberry and reside there for seven years. Disposing of this they bought 80 acres now owned and occupied by T.H. Smallwood. Later on they parted with this farm and purchased the quarter- section now owned and occupied by John B. McCormick. This enlargement of possessions to meet the needs of a growing family and these ---- ----- ----required much thought and -------- in all of which the faithful wife fully shared.
In March 1883 after a so journey of twenty-five years in this community they sold their possessions and moved to Blunt South Dakota. Here brother Miles died January 29, 1890. In 1892 sister Miles went with her youngest son to Nebraska and resided for several years near the town of Alda. Ten years ago she returned to this neighborhood and has since made her home with her daughter Mrs. John Green. It was here, after a few days illness that her earth time pilgrimage came to a close. She died on Saturday at the age of 80 years 7 months and 2 days.
She was the mother of seven sons and two daughter- Alexenia, the first born, died at the age three months. B.F. Mile Wood River, Neb; Adah wife of John Green residing near Emden; John Miles, of Blunt, South Dakota, Stephen who died here in 1879, Roy who lives near Cedar Rapids, Neb, and James Miles of Leonard, Missouri. All the five living children are her present.
Sister Miles make public confession of her faith in the Lord Jesus, the Christ, was baptized and became a member of the Methodist church when a young woman, in her native Vermont. When they came to Illinois she with her husband, became a member of the congregation here at Bethel where she was ever regarded as a faithful and devoted Christian. She was a modest unassuming and useful Christian woman. She was a reader of the Bible, especially in her declining years, a and scarcely a day went by that she failed to seek and find help and consolation in the Holy Word of God. She was a pious and devoted mother who enderly loved her children and sought to lead them in paths of truth and usefulness. Indeed she was a good wife, a good mother and a good neighbor as many here present today can truly testify. She knew how to make the best of things-- If hard of hearing at last she could see,. Having lived a long and useful life, she has gone to join the loved ones on the Other and to enjoy the rest that remains for the people of God.
This page is "Martha Griffith Miles Obituary" on the Logan County, Illinois, ILGenWeb site. The address of this page is http://logan.illinoisgenweb.org/milesmartha.htm..