It is our painful duty, this week, to record the sudden death of Miss Abbie Millidge, which occurred at the home of her father, Thomas Millidge Esq., at about four o’clock Sunday morning last. Never of very robust health, she had been inclined, of late years, to consumption, and latterly had suffered several attacks of hemorrhage of the lungs, which, finally, was the cause of her death.
Her condition had seemed so favorable, the past few months, and she had been enjoying so good a degree of health, since her return from California, apparently gaining strength daily, and this too at mid-winter, had led her family and their many friends to hope and to think that she would, yet, enjoy many years of life. Only the day before, (Saturday) she, in company with her grandmother, had made a number of calls, walking, taking dinner at Mrs. Snover’s on the south side of the river, and returning home at the approach of evening, feeling in very good spirits, and apparently as strong as she had been for many a day. She retired at her usual hour.
At about four o’clock A. M., she coughed slightly, and the hemorrhage commenced. Although not severe, yet in less than fifteen minutes, she quietly passed away, her father and mother supporting her. All that loving hearts could suggest and hands perform, was of no avail.
Abbie L. Millidge was born in Oconto, March 9, 1859, and was, therefore not quite 20 years of age. She was the only surviving daughter of Thomas and Levina Millidge, who were among the earliest settlers of this section and of our most respected citizens. She was thus, truly an Oconto girl, having passed all her life among us. Of an unusually light hearted and amiable disposition, she numbered all of her many acqaintances as friends, every one of whom feel a personal loss in her death.
In the fall of 1877 she visited the Pacific coast for the benefits of that climate and was rapidly gaining in health, when suddenly hemorrhage of the lungs set in which carried her very near the gates of death.
However, in spite of the prediction of physicians to the contrary, she rallied enough to be brought home early in the summer. Since the close of the hot season, she had improved daily, though slowly, and had been in the habit of riding or walking out every fair day, including the last day of her life. This being the case, the sudden news of her death on Sunday morning caused quite a shock to the community every member of which sympathize deeply with the stricken family.
The funeral took place from the family residence on Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. Mr. Burdick officiating. The large attendance of people, including quite a number from the country testified to the wide-spread sympathy and general sorrow.