Maria (Cook) Lancaster 1844-1925
The Republican – Journal
Darlington, Wisconsin
February 5, 1925
Obituary – Lancaster.
Maria Cook was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 28, 1944, and at the age of seven years immigrated with her parents to this country, coming directly to the mining district of southwest Wisconsin, where so many English immigrants came at that time. When the mines failed to offer remunerative inducements, the father moved with his family to the town of Argyle, where they purchased a small farm and settled as farmers.
In a short time the family was bereft of the father through an accident.
Dire necessity compelled such members of the family as were at all able to add to the family income, and thus at an early age the subject of this sketch was thrust upon the inhospitable conditions of pioneer life to earn such meager living as was possible.
At the age of seventeen she was united in marriage with Thomas Lancaster, and with him began carving out the farmstead on Apple Branch, which was to be their home for fifty-five years.
To them were born ten children, two of whom died in infancy, and two others, Wesley and Charles, with the father preceded her to the Great Beyond, leaving to mourn her demise four sons and two daughters: Thomas, James, John, Frank, Mrs. Charles Osterday and Mrs. O. C. Johnson; also 26 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, all of whom reside in the county of their birth.
She dedicated her life to her family and her home, and her physical endurance in her labors to provide for her family’s welfare were marvelous.
In early womanhood, she united with the Methodist church and performed her Christian duty through physical ministration.
She lived out her entire reserve power and peacefully entered eternal rest January 21, 1925, at the age of 80 years, 7 months, and 28 days.
Funeral services were held Wednesday morning, January 28, in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Lamont, the Revs. G. W. Vaughn and J. A. Vincent officiating. Many friends and neighbors were present to pay their last tribute of respect.
Interment was made in the Lamont cemetery.
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The Republican-Journal
Darlington, Wisconsin
January 29, 1925
WIOTA:
Mrs. Grace Johnson of our village was called to the home of her brother, James Lancaster, on account of the death of her mother, Mrs. Thomas Lancaster.
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Submitter: Linda Ziemann