WAUPCA REPUBLICAN POST

October 14, 1909

 

 

DEATH OF A PIONEER        

 

            One by one the early settlers are passing away.  Mrs. Sarah A. Neal who departed this life Sept. 30, 1909, had lived at Ogdensburg almost continuously since 1861.  During this long period she had seen remarkable changes take place and has had her part in the great transformation that has come about.  It is difficult for those of a later generation to appreciate the hardships that were endured by the pioneer settlers of this or any community.

            Mrs. Neal, whose maiden name was Sarah Adams Nichols, was born at Concord, Vt., Oct. 23, 1830.  When twelve years of age she removed with her parents to New Hampshire, locating at Lisbon.  Here she married John Smith, and to them four children were born, of whom three, Mrs. Adeline Axtell and Henry Smith of Manawa, and Mrs. Caroline Smith of Ogdensburg, survive.  Following the death of her husband she came West, locating at Aurora, Ill., and later at Princeton, Wis.  At the latter place she was united in marriage to Scott Jameson. Five children were born to them, as follows:  George, who died several years ago; Charles, of Ogdensburg, who has managed the home farm for many years; Ida, also deceased; Edwin, who holds a responsible position on the police force of Evanston, Ill.; and Sadie, now Mrs. Hanson, of Chicago.

            Mr. Jameson died in 1871 and on Nov. 7, 1872, Mrs. Jameson was married to Daniel Neal of this place.  The husband still survives and in his eighty-seventh year is possessed of remarkable physical and mental vigor.

            Mrs. Neal has two brothers living, Homer Nichols Oshkosh and Hiram Nichols of Cambridge, Mass.  With the exception of Hiram Nichols and Mrs. Sadie Hanson, all the immediate friends and relatives were present at the funeral which was held from the Ogdensburg Baptist church Sunday.