Obituary

  Profound sorrow pervades our citizens to-day, caused by the death of Miss Mary E. Bridger, who was born at Troy, Rensselaer county, New York, December 14, A.D., 1825, and died of pneumonia at Suez, Illinois, April 3rd, A.D., 1885, aged 59 years 3 months and 20 days.
  Miss Bridger was the eldest daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Bridger (deceased) who were known among the oldest settlers of Mercer county. She came with her mother, the balance of the family having preceded them to Suez, Mercer county, Illinois, January 1st, A.D. 1837, where she has lived continuously up to the time of her death. These lines are written for those who loved her as a friend and relative, and can but recall the purity and womanly devotion of her life. Here she was known as an ornament of social life, in the best sense a lady of natural refinement, of strong affections and sympathetic nature, and unselfish to the last degree; a kind and charitable neighbor, a sincere Christian and a true friend. Although fitted for a more exalted place in society, the only triumphs she cared for were those of her own fireside in the hearts of those who belonged to her and to whose happiness she gave life. Modest dutiful and unaffected, filling the place assigned to her under divine providence with Christian devotion, this made a lasting impression upon her features, and those who saw her face after the soul had left its earthly tenement felt that the life which it represented had been pure and good. All traces of weariness from her painful sickness were covered with perfect rest.
  At her bedside were gathered her brothers and sisters with relatives and dear friends anxious to soothe the sufferings of her last moments and to catch from her closing eyes the last token of her love. She recognized all present, not forgetting the little relatives in a distant state whom she had never had the pleasure of seeing, and also wished that father and mother, who had already passed through the valley and shadow of death, could have been present before her spirit should take its flight. Calling to a sister with whom she had journeyed through life and requesting her not to mourn she passed peacefully away at the hour of 3:35 a.m. after a painful illness of five days.
  None will miss her more than the little ones who loved so much to visit her while in health, and receive from her generous hand the many favors she was want to bestow upon them. Ever mindful of their welfare and comfort while in her presence she has gone, but her memory will remain green and will be sacredly cherished for all time to come by a large circle of friends and relatives.
  The funeral services were held at her late home in Suez on the following Sabbath, Rev. W.S. McClanahan officiating. A large concourse of people assembled to take a last look at the familiar features of the deceased and attend the last solemn funeral rites of one they loved. Forty-eight teams were in procession and followed the remains to the family burying ground where all that was mortal of Mary E. Bridger was laid in the grave to await the resurrection morn.
  The grief stricken brothers and sisters have the profound sympathy of all friends and relatives in their sad bereavement. J.W.P., Suez, Ill, April 1, 1885
(Keithsburg Times, April 15, 1885, p. 8)