Rebecca (Paul) Hartley (1806-1901) Dies in Cedar Rapids

The only image I have of Rebecca (Paul) Hartley and her husband George Washington Hartley (1805-1880).  Courtesy of Sarah Bennett.

My 3rd great grandparents Rebecca Paul and George Hartley were the parents of my 2nd great grandfather James Monroe Hartley (1846-1904)

Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette (from NewspaperArchive.com)
January 5, 1901, Saturday
page 7, col 2 

A Splendid Life Closed. 

Brief Sketch of Mrs. Rebecca Hartley, Who Died Yesterday. 

Mrs. Rebecca Hartley, who died at her home at 1123 South Third street yesterday morning at the age of 91 years, leaves over one hundred living lineal descendants to mourn her death. 

The exceeding good health of this aged lady all through her life is something remarkable.  From the time she was an infant till death closed her eyes in sleep she never employed a physician for either herself or her children.  Up till but a few weeks ago she managed all of her own business affairs and even to the day before her death did much of the work in her own kitchen.  She was hearty, hale and exceedingly bright till about six weeks ago, when she fell and injured her hip and it is believed by her children that this injury hastened her to the end of her life. 

The evening preceding her death she ate a hearty supper and retired.  Yesterday morning she announced to those about her that she was tired and not ready to arise.  She fell quietly into a peacful sleep, from which she never awakened. 

Rebecca Paul was born of Quaker parentage in Philadelphia, Pa., on January 13, 1806.  She was married to George Hartley March 17, 1825, and in the fall of 1829 crossed the mountains with her husband and two small children in a stage, settling in Cincinnati, O., for a short time.  In the year 1831 they moved to Indiana and two years later to Missouri, where they remained but a few months.  In 1834 they located in Jersey county, Illinois, and ten years later came to this state, settling in Lee county.  They returned to Illinois in 1853, but came back to Iowa in 1853, settling in Johnson county, where they remained for three years.  They then came to Cedar Rapids and the lady has ever since made this her home, her husband dying in 1880, at the age of 75. 

She was the mother of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. The oldest one living is Solomon, now 73, who has resided with his mother in this city for many years. Two of the daughters and one son have died.  She was the grandmother of sixty-four children, fifty of whom are living, and the great-grandmother of sixty-three children.  Of the latter there are fifty-four living. 

Mrs. Hartley clung to the custom of her religion through her entire life, making all of her clothes, silk and calico alike, from the same pattern.  Her dress was that of the Quaker and she ardently followed up the teachings she had received when a child.    She lived a plain and simple life, performing the duties of a gentle mother and loving wife.  Her years were many and were happy ones, as she enjoyed a health which few are favored with in this life's lot.  All of the children living, with the exception of three boys in California, will be here to attend the funeral.  Final arrangements for the services and interment have not been complete.

Her will is transcribed here.

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