Alden Illethera01

Waupaca Post

October 29, 1908

Died, at her home in Weyauwega, Wis., Oct. 17, 1908, Mrs. Illethera Alden, after a painful illness of several years duration. Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church, of which she was a member, Monday, Oct. 19, and interment was in Oakwood cemetery.

She leaves to mourn her passing her daughters, Mrs. Gerritt Thorn, of Oshkosh; Mrs. Lawrence Miller of Maple Grove; her sister, Mrs. Martha Wrightman of Weyauwega; three grandsons, Alden E. Moras, Bernard Miller of Minneapolis; Raymond Miller of Oregon, and many other relatives and friends to whom she was very dear.

Illethera Hayford was born in Salem, Franklin Co., Maine, Feb. 18, 1832, and was one of a family of five children, three boys and two girls; their names were Martha, Illethera, Washington, Isaac and Orlando.

Only one of these is living, the eldest, Mrs. Martha Wrightman.

Coming with her parents to Wisconsin in 1849 she was married in 1851 to Samuel Holmes of Weyauwega, who died in 1856, leaving her with three children, Florence, Martha Ellen and Samuel.

Six years later she married Isaac C. Alden, by whom she had three children, Jessie, Beulah and Margaret.

Two children of Mr. Alden’s by a former marriage, were in the home which was many times visited by death, hopes shattered and dear ones taken. After many years of industry in their pleasant farm home two miles south of Weyauwega, Mr. Alden died Jan. 18, 1892, after many weeks of intense suffering from a fall in his barn.

Mrs. Alden afterwards removed to the village where she lived until death claimed her.

The deceased was a woman of high ideals and many virtues; with broad sympathies and worthy ambitious she was ever, by example and precept and inspiration to those about her. Many trials and hardships were incident to the lives of the early pioneer women and she had her share. In sickness and in death, in prosperity and adversity, she stood by her own as unswerving as the rocks of the old New England state from whence she came.

The value of such a mother, sister, friend is inestimable.

During the latter years of her life she shared her home with the only child of a much loved daughter, who was summoned Heavenward in the early noontide of her life.

And now has come to the mother,

“Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call.”

Her faith in “The Pilot” was strong,

And she said she “was not afraid;”

We may indeed say of her,

“After the toil and trouble,

There cometh a day of rest:

After the weary conflict,

Peace on the Savior’s breast;

After the care and sorrow,

The glory of light and love;

After the wilderness journey,

The father’s bright home above.”