USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun county, Michigan, With Illustrations descriptive of its scenery > Part 60
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THE FIRST LOG HOUSE
was erected by William Bishop, who settled on section 6, in the extreme north-
166
western corner of the township, in 1832 or 1833. He came in from Prairie Ronde, where he had formerly resided for some years, and where he married a daughter of Judge Harrison, a well-known and prominent pioneer of the place.
He also opened the first farm on his fractional lot of eighty-five acres, and made other improvements on a small scale, among other things sowing the first wheat in the township in the spring of 1834.
Silas Kelsey, who came into the township as early as 1835, but did not effect a permanent residence until June 12, 1837, when he settled on section 7, where he has ever since remained, is accredited with having erected the first frame house in the township. It was a primitive affair, its dimensions being eighteen by twenty feet, and was erected in 1837.
Chester W. Cole has the honor of having erected the first brick house in Le Roy, in 1850. It is now occupied by Warren Smith.
The first male child born in the township was Charles E. Baker, son of Heman Baker, born June 17, 1836. He married Armenta, daughter of Fayette Gould, and now resides in Champaign, Illinois.
The first female child was Esther A., daughter of Martin Cole, born May 1, 1836. She married Charles Peters, and now resides in Battle Creek.
The first marriage was that of Nelson Card and Susan Cole, May 7, 1837. Rev. Erastus L. Kellogg performed the ceremony.
The first death was that of a Mrs. Nichols, who died in the summer of 1836. The first death that occurred other than in the natural way was that of Harriet, daughter of Timothy Kelsey, who was accidentally burned to death in the spring of 1838. The melancholy circumstances surrounding her demise cast a deep gloom over the people. The feelings of the bereaved parents of the child can be much better imagined than described. The father returning from his work at night, with heavy toil fatigued, was met by the sympathizing neighbors, who imparted the sad intelligence of his daughter's death with that rustic simplicity which de- notes a delicacy, real and genuine, though roughly expressed. The funeral ser- vices were held at the dwelling of the child's parents, and the funeral sermon- the first in the township-was preached by Rev. Justin Marsh, the Baptist minister then stationed at Battle Creek. The words of sympathy, accompanied by religious sentiment, tended to assuage the poignant grief of the mourners, and though the painful incident left an ineffaceable impress upon the minds of the sor- rowing parents and friends, yet great consolation was afforded them by the words of comfort uttered by the good minister of the gospel on that painful occasion.
THE FIRST SAW-MILL
was built in Pine Creek by Jeremiah Drake and John Coats, in 1837. They conducted operations for about ten years, when they sold to W. H. Vinecore, who subsequently added one run of stone, and started a small grist-mill. He ran the mill for about nineteen years, when he failed, and the mill was burned about 1866, and never rebuilt.
The first steam saw-mill was built in 1847, by Truman S. Cole. He continued the business only two years, when he sold out to J. Bigelow, who sold to Messrs. Tubbs & McClellan. In 1856 the mill was destroyed by fire, and was never rebuilt.
A steam saw-mill was erected by A. J. Quick and Lucas Payne at what is called Quick's Corners, or Steamburg village, situated a little south of Steamburg lake, in 1856. It was burned down in 1861, and rebuilt by the same parties im- mediately afterwards. The present firm consists of A. J. Quick, Charles S. Andrews, and William Grassman.
BURYING-GROUND.
.The first burying-ground in West Le Roy was laid out on land donated by Silas Kelsey, on section 7, in 1840.
The first burying-ground in East Le Roy was laid out on land donated by Joshua Robinson in 1839-40. The first interment in it was that of Betsey, daughter of Joshua Robinson.
THE FIRST PHYSICIAN
was Dr. H. M. Smith, who settled in East Le Roy, and commenced the practice
PHOTO BY CRISPELL.
Boyette Geredet
CASTROMADI
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL .
Betsy
Could
RESIDENCE OF FAYETTE GOULD, LEROY, CALHOUN COUNTY, MICH.
PHOTO BY CRISPELL.
Daniel Reasoner
PHOTO BY CRISPELL.
Hannah Reason
RESIDENCE+OFE DANIEL REASONER, WEST LE ROY P.O.(LE ROY TP.) CALHOUN CO., MICH.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of medicine in 1850. He was succeeded by James Foster, M.D., who is now postmaster at Cecelia. These were both of the regular school of medicine.
THE FIRST TOWNSHIP MEETING.
" Be it remembered that on the 23d day of December, 1840, the house of the township clerk was destroyed by fire, with all its contents, together with all the township books and records. In consequence of which a meeting of the township board was held, agreeable to a previous notice, at the house of Dudley N. Bushnell, on the 15th day of January, 1841, for the purpose of revising the records of the township."
The first annual meeting of said township was held at the house of John E. Mulholland, April 2, 1838. Polydore Hudson was chosen moderator, and John E. Mulholland and D. N. Bushnell, clerks, when the following persons were elected to the several offices set opposite their respective names for the ensuing year : Dudley N. Bushnell, supervisor ; J. E. Mulholland, clerk ; Polydore Hudson (four years), Harlow H. Burdie, Silas Kelsey (two years), Thomas B. Barnum (one year) justices of the peace; Timothy Kelsey, Lysander Cole, P. Sprague, J. J. Hannas, assessors ; Jeremiah Drake, Heman Baker, John C. Robbins, commis- sioners of highways; Polydore Hudson, D. N. Bushnell, Cornelius L. Newkirk, school inspectors; Benjamin Lay, John Coats, overseers of the poor; James Wilson, constable and collector ; Thomas Sprague, constable.
The following persons were chosen viva voce : John C. Robbins, overseer of highways for district No. 1; Ira Case, for district No. 2; James Wilson, for dis- trict No. 3; J. J. Hannas, for district No. 4.
At the annual meeting in 1839, it was voted to build a pound near the quarter- stake a little southwest of D. N. Bushnell's dwelling-house, and that the size of said pound should be fifty feet square. The contract for building the same was let to James Wilson, the lowest bidder, at nineteen dollars and fifty cents. The same was accepted by the township board July 2, 1839.
*
The supervisors of the township from 1839 to 1877 have been as follows: D. N. Bushnell (six years), Albert Whitcomb, John C. Robbins, Jeremiah Drake, (three years), L. R. Hall, T. B. Barnum (two years), William H. Vinecore (two years), David Miller (five years), Philetus Gould (two years), John S. Mason (two years), Rufus Payne, John Wagner (six years), Francis W. Clark (three years), Joseph C. Lewis, Joseph H. Gould (three years).
Clerks .- John E. Mulholland (eight years), John H. Bushnell (two years), J. A. Robinson (three years), Silas Kelsey, Truman S. Cole (three years), Frederick E. Bush, Philetus Gould (four years), David Gallaway (two years), John Scotford, Byron E. Cole (six years), Edgar Stimpson (two years), Joseph C. Lewis (two years), David Mather (two years), Charles S. Andrews (two years).
Justices of the Peace .- D. N. Bushnell (twenty-six years), Charles Lay, Thos. B. Barnum, H. McNary, Elisha Smith, Oliver Booth, William Robinson (vacancy), Alfred J. Hathaway, Polydore Hudson (eight years), Silas Kelsey (fourteen years), Truman S. Cole, R. Riley, D. H. Cotton, John Breman, Daniel Riley (three years), Daniel Riley, James Winters (six years), Francis W. Clark (eight years), Edgar Cheeseborough (vacancy), David Miller, Isaiah T. Gore, James Foster (vacancy), F. E. Bush (twelve years), Ariel C. Stanton (vacancy), Isaac Hiscock (eight years), T. B. Barnum, Franklin Guiteau (vacancy), Joseph L. Burdick (seven years), Jacob K. Norton (ten years), Silas Birch, Thomas Sprague (sixteen years), O. H. Rolfe (vacancy).
FIRST ROAD.
The first road after the organization of the township was surveyed May 18, 1838. We quote the subjoined from the records of the township :
" Description of a road surveyed and established the 18th day of May, 1838, in the township of Le Roy, commencing at a point 20 chains east of the quarter- post on the north side of section 14; from thence running south 21 chains and 70 links; from thence running south 11º 30", east 13 chains and 48 links, to a point north 73º 37", west, from the quarter-post on the east side of section 14, 18 chains and 4 links."
F. BURGESS, Surveyor. JOHN E. ROBBINS, HEMAN BAKER, Commissioners of Highways.
There are no villages in Le Roy township, the only place approximating that dignity being
STEAMBURG,
which contains the steam saw-mill of Messrs. Quick, Andrews & Grassman, and is known also as Quick's Corners. There is a small grocery-store here, which was established in 1870 by one Arthur Moore. He was succeeded by Joseph Fish, and he by the present proprietor, Charles G. Morris. There is here a wagon-
and carriage-shop, blacksmith-shop, and a steam saw-mill. It is a conglomer- ation of about ten families.
WEST LE ROY POST-OFFICE
was established in 1851, and Truman S. Cole appointed first postmaster. His successors in the office have been Ammon Mills, Thomas Houston, Orange S. Post, Byron E. Cole, Joseph C. Lewis, and A. K. Prentice.
THE FIRST SCHOOL
in West Le Roy was taught in the dwelling of Silas Kelsey, in the summer of 1837, by Miss Dennison, now the widow of Alexander Rowley, of Battle Creek. Among the pupils were some of the children of Timothy Kelsey, Silas Kelsey, and Isaac Davis, in all about seven or eight.
The first district school in the township was taught in school district No. 1, by Miss Hannah Sprague, in the summer of 1838. She had previously taught in a log house in the summer of 1837.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The first meeting for the organization of school districts for the township of Le Roy was held in April, 1838. The school inspectors then elected were Poly- dore Hudson, Dudley N. Bushnell, and Cornelius L. Newkirk. P. Hudson was appointed chairman of said board, which then proceeded to divide the township into nine divisions or districts, each containing four sections, viz. :
District 1, embracing sections Nos. 1, 2, 11, and 12; district 2, embracing sections Nos. 3, 4, 9, and 10; district 3, embracing sections Nos. 5, 6, 7, and 8; district 4, embracing sections Nos. 18, 17, 19, and 20; district 5, embracing sections Nos. 16, 15, 21, and 22; district 6, embracing sections Nos. 14, 13, 23, and 24; dis- trict 7, embracing sections Nos. 25, 26, 35, and 36 ; district 8, embracing sec- tions Nos. 27, 28, 33, and 34; district 9, embracing sections Nos. 29, 30, 31, and 32.
The board also regularly organized districts 1, 3, and 4 at that meeting, and the remainder at subsequent meetings during the year.
We certify the above to be correct.
DUDLEY N. BUSHNELL, POLYDORE HUDSON, School Inspectors.
RELIGIOUS.
The rise and progress of Methodism in Le Roy township affords a flattering tribute to the deep religious sentiment of its early pioneers. By careful examin- ation into the records of the past we find that as early as 1837 a class was formed, and the beauties of religion dispensed by regular preachers ere the settlement (East Le Roy) numbered three-score souls. The first class was formed by Rev. Erastus L. Kellogg, in the spring of 1837. The first class-leader was Ammon Mills, a man intimately identified with the early religious history of Le Roy township. The first members of the class were Ammon Mills and his wife Betsey, Thomas, Argallus, Vedder, Elsey, and Mary Sprague. Of these, one only. -Thomas Sprague-remains connected with the society, he having advanced to the position of local preacher and class-leader. This class, which was among the pioneer classes of the county, was attached to Battle Creek circuit, Marshall dis- trict, and Michigan conference, in the fall of 1837, and had as its first preachers Revs. Benjamin Sabin and R. Lawrence, and as presiding elder E. H. Pilcher. This organization continued as originally formed until 1856, when Le Roy circuit was instituted, which consisted of six appointments, among them East, West, and South Le Roy. As these are each distinct organizations, two of them-East and West Le Roy-having good, substantial houses of worship, we shall consider their histories separately.
The first pastor of East Le Roy circuit was Rev. G. W. Hoag, who was in- stalled in the early part of the year 1856. During his pastorate the commodious parsonage connected with the church was erected. The succession of pastors since Mr. Hoag has been Revs. Samuel Osborn, T. H. Bignel, N. L. Brockway, T. G. Owen, J. E. McAllister, A. J. Russell, G. E. Hollister, E. Marble, L. M. Bennett, J. M. Aiken, and A. M. Gould, the present incumbent.
It was during the pastorate of Rev. G. E. Hollister that the fine church edi- fice of the East Le Roy organization was erected. It was dedicated with inter- esting ceremonies by Rev. G. B. Jocelyn, D.D., late president of Albion college, on the 2d of November, 1871. The church is a substantial and commodious wooden structure, with a handsome steeple, and of fine architecture. Its cost was four thousand dollars.
The present officers of the church are Rev. Thomas Sprague, Lyman R. Hall, Henry C. Rolfe, Benjamin F. Morgan, R. Stanton, trustees; Thomas Sprague, L. R. Hall, M. Canright, and Joseph M. Fish, stewards.
There is a flourishing Sabbath-school connected with the church, of which Mr.
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HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Ryan B. Cowles is superintendent. We give statistics of all three Sabbath- schools of Le Roy circuit conjointly below.
WEST LE ROY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
had its origin in a class which was formed under the ministerial labors of Rev. R. R. Richards, and leadership of Ammon Mills, in the spring of 1840, and admitted into Kalamazoo circuit the same year. The first meeting was held in the door- yard of Henry McNary's dwelling, and consisted of ten members, four by letter and six on probation, namely, Ammon Mills and wife, and Socrates Gris- wold and wife, by letter ; Mrs. Caroline McNary, Francis Clark, Benjamin Gris- wold, Ammon Mills, Jr., Miss Betsey Mills, and Harry Cole, probationists. The preachers from 1840 until the formation of Le Roy circuit in 1856, when the duties of the entire circuit devolved upon the resident minister, were Revs. E. R. Kellogg, J. W. Brier, R. R. Richards, J. Hudson, J. E. Parker. Under this pastorate West Le Roy class-Daniel Bush, R. B. Young, V. G. Boynton, R. L. Farnsworth, Curtis Mosher, A. Wakefield-was transferred to Climax circuit in 1852, when the class was again transferred, this time to Galesburg circuit-A. A. Dunton, J. C. Abbott, F. Gage-in 1856 ; from which time the pastors mentioned above, in connection with the East Le Roy church, have officiated in both churches.
In 1867, during the pastorate of Rev. J. E. McAllister, the present church edifice, a neat wooden structure, was erected, and dedicated on the 3d of Febru- ary of the same year. The dedicatory ceremony was conducted by Rev. A. P. Mead, assisted by Revs. M. A. Dougherty and T. H. Jacokes. The entire cost of the church edifice was three thousand dollars.
The present officers of the church are Daniel Reasoner, Charles N. Farmer, D. W. Lay, D. E. Lay, L. Cole, Ira Case, and Henry McNary, trustees ; Daniel Reasoner, D. E. Lay, and S. N. Hyde, stewards.
There is a Sabbath-school connected with the church, of which Daniel Reasoner is superintendent.
SOUTH LE ROY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
consists of a well-conducted class, of which Jabez Morgan is leader. It was admitted into Le Roy circuit in 1856. The meetings are held in the school- house. In 1873 the appointment was dropped by the circuit preachers, and Rev. Thomas Sprague was appointed as a supply, and preached for the congregation four years, during which time a revival was held, and twenty conversions were made. The Sabbath-school is under the superintendency of J. Morgan, who is also steward of the class.
The most important revival of the circuit was held in East Le Roy in 1849, under Revs. O. Mason and M. Hickey.
The total membership of the circuit is one hundred and eighty-five; probation- ists, seventy ; number of teachers and scholars in the Sabbath-schools, one hundred and thirty-five.
There are now two resident ministers of the Methodist Episcopal denomination in the township, Revs. A. M. Gould and Thomas Sprague.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The history of this organization dates back to March 14, 1837, when a meet- ing was convened at the house of Isaac Davis, at Climax, to organize a Presby- terian church. The Rev. Silas Woodbury was called to the chair, and Silas Kelsey was appointed clerk pro tem. After prayer by Brother Woodbury, the meeting proceeded to business, the first of which was the reception of lettters from the seventeen members whose names follow, viz .: Jonathan Sprague, Heman Baker, Eliza Baker, Philetus Sprague, Ira Case, Hannah Sprague, Carr Sprague, Silas Kelsey, Priscilla Davis, Isaac Davis, Margaret Sprague, Anna Lay, Daniel Lay, Teresa Sprague, Mary B. Sawyer, William A. Sawyer, and Cornelia Sprague.
The confession of faith and covenant of the Monroe presbytery was unan- imously adopted. Heman Baker and Jonathan Sprague were chosen for deacons; William A. Sawyer and Silas Kelsey for elders. The charge to the officers elect and to the members was delivered by Brother Woodbury, as was also the conse- crating prayer and laying on of hands, assisted by Deacon Baker.
December 27, 1839, we find that a church-meeting was called for the purpose of appointing a successor to the deaconate, made vacant by the death of Jonathan Sprague. John H. Bushnell was chosen. Dudley N. Bushnell was chosen to the office of elder at the same meeting.
At a meeting held January 25, 1840, it was voted unanimously to change the name of the church from the "First Presbyterian church of Climax," to the " First Presbyterian church of Le Roy." Also to change the ecclesiastical relation from the Kalamazoo presbytery to Marshall presbytery. The church remained under the latter dispensation until March 21, 1846, when it was changed, by the
mutual consent of the official members, to the " Congregational church of Le Roy," under the pastorate of Rev. Asa Bushnell. Those chosen to the office of deacon at the first church-meeting under the change were Heman Baker and John H. Bushnell. The first clerk was Silas Kelsey. The succession of pastors since the change has been Revs. Asa Bushnell, Mason Knappen, H. H. Doolittle, John H. Byrd, R. L. Farnsworth, M. M. Foster, A. W. Bushnell, John Scotford, Alexander Achison, Samuel Phillips, Charles S. Spetteque, R. Everts, and James Verney, the present efficient incumbent. The present officers are-Deacons, F. E. Bush, J. H. Bushnell, and H. P. Nichols ; Clerk, S. O. Bush. Number of members, eighty. The present church edifice, of wood, was built in 1846, and dedicated in 1847. The church contemplates erecting a new house of worship some time within two years. There is a flourishing Sabbath-school in connec- tion with the church, of which Mr. S. O. Bush is superintendent. Its average summer and winter attendance is fifty-five. Silas Kelsey, one of the first mem- bers and the first clerk of the church, died in May, 1877.
CENTRAL LE ROY GRANGE, NO. 31, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY,
was organized November 15, 1873, with the following list of charter members : Messrs. C. M. Fish, A. J. Quick, Hiram Hasbrook, E. Crawford, R. F. Morgan, John McCamly, A. Robbins, John Wagner, Richard Vaughn, E. A. Daley, Mrs. C. M. Fish, Mrs. A. J. Quick, Mrs. H. Hasbrook, Mrs. Benjamin Morgan, Mrs. James McCamly, Mrs. A. Robbins, Mrs. John Wagner, Mrs. R. Vaughn, Mrs. E. A. Daley, Mrs. Jane Wheeler, Misses Emma Crawford, Clara Wheeler, E. M. Robbins, Ovida Wagner, Lucy Morgan, Nettie Daley.
At the regular organization, the grange was officered as follows, viz. :
John Wagner, Master ; Benjamin Morgan, Overseer ; A. Robbins, Secretary ; A. J. Quick, Steward ; E. A. Daley, Assistant Steward ; C. M. Fish, Chaplain ; H. Hasbrook, Treasurer ; E. Crawford, Gatekeeper; Miss Lucy Morgan, Ceres ; Emma Crawford, Pomona; Ovida Wagner, Flora ; Miss Clara Wheeler, Lady Assistant Steward.
At the first annual election of officers, in December, 1873, Mr. N. J. Kelsey, then a member of the order, was elected Master of the Le Roy grange, and served in that capacity (being twice re-elected) until January, 1877, during which time sixty-six worthy members were added to the grange.
The present membership is one hundred and two. The place of holding meetings is East Le Roy Methodist church, at which regular meetings are held every Tuesday evening, on or before the full moon, each month.
The present officers of the grange are: F. A. Johnson, Master ; Benjamin Morgan, Overseer ; W. Rolfe, Lecturer ; A. J. Quick, Steward ; A. G. Johnson, Assistant Steward; O. H. Rolfe, Chaplain ; H. Dubois, Treasurer ; R. B. Cowles, Secretary ; Uriah Owen, Gatekeeper; Miss Lucy Morgan, Ceres; Mary Mason, Pomona ; Emma Crawford, Flora ; Mrs. Quick, Lady Assistant Steward.
Le Roy grange holds a prominent position among the township granges of the county, being generally considered as one of the best and most perfect organiza- tions in the State.
LE ROY, THE BANNER ANTI-SLAVERY TOWNSHIP.
The predisposition of some of the most prominent citizens of Le Roy to anti- slavery principles, gave that township the enviable honor of being the first in the United States that gave a majority in favor of the abolition of slavery. The first manifestation of these principles was made in 1840, when we find three noble citizens fearlessly casting their votes for James G. Birney, the anti-slavery candi- date for the presidency. The names thus honorably placed on record are de- serving of the widest possible recognition ; hence, we hand them down to posterity in the pages of history, as representatives of that broad humanitarian principle which culminated in the enforced freedom of four million slaves, and their final enfranchisement. They are Caleb Smith, J. H. Bushnell, and Silas Kelsey.
On the 4th of July, 1842, the famous " big meeting" was held in the grove of Silas Kelsey, to which hundreds came from all over the county to listen to the burning eloquence of the great anti-slavery agitator, Dr. Bennett, and to partici- pate in the general festivities. It was the largest gathering ever held in the town- ship. And the bountiful repast, at which was served a mammoth cheese, weigh- ing about eighty pounds, had a double interest, in that it was partaken of from tables spread upon a spot where afterwards could be seen the forms of those fleeing from slavery, by way of the " underground railway," a branch of which ran through Le Roy.
The sentiments expressed at this meeting were propagated on fertile soil, for we find them most admirably sustained during the great struggle-the triumph- ant conquest of right over might-in 1861-65. No township in the county re- sponded more liberally to the call of the general government, or filled her quota of men with greater alacrity. .
PHOTO, BY CRISPELL.
JOHN WAGNER.
PHOTO. BY CRISPELL.
SUSAN WAGNER.
RES. OF MRS. SUSAN WAGNER, EAST LE ROY, CALHOUN CO., MICHIGAN.
WILLIAM BEVIER.
THIS gentleman was the son of Christian and Magdalen Bevier, and was born in Binghamton, Broome county, New York, May 30, 1811. He lived at home under the guidance of his parents until he reached man- hood, following the occupation of a farmer. He received deep religious training, which he carried through life. When in his twentieth year he first became zealously interested in the gospel of Christ, under the in- structive preaching of the Rev. Mr. Birchard, a well-known evangelist of that part of the State where he was brought up. He soon after made a public profession of faith, and joined the Presbyterian church at Bingham- ton. About 1840 he removed to Ohio, where he remained until 1845, when he emigrated to Michigan and settled in Le Roy township, on the farm where his estimable widow still remains, and where he himself con- tinued to reside until his death, which occurred October 15, 1869. He met with an injury, while working on a thrashing-machine, which ter- minated his life after five days of excruciating pain. He exhibited a forti- tude under his sufferings which a true Christian alone enjoys, and his death,
though painful, was peaceful and serene, for he feared not to leave his past life and his future existence alike in the hands of God, trusting for pardon and grace through the merits of his dear Saviour. He was a life member of the American Missionary Society, which membership was con- ferred on him as a token of respect. His premature demise cast a sadness over the community which was long felt, for the death of a truly good man always calls forth genuine sorrow.
His admirable widow, to whom he was wedded in 1846, was the daughter of Asa and Prudence Bushnell, old and respected citizens of Le Roy. She was among the first school-teachers in the township, and is remembered with love and reverence by many whose young ideas she formed through the medium of the common school. She, like her beloved but departed husband, is a firm Christian, having been among the first members of the Presbyterian (now Congregational) church of Le Roy. She is a life member of the American Female Guardian Society, of which she received a certificate of membership in 1862. She is a lady much esteemed for her Christian virtues. her great benevolence, and her bountiful charity ; and, like her faithful husband, when she departs her works will follow her
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