FIRST WHITE CHILD ON RIVER
Attended Church Sunday Afternoon In Evening Suffered Cerebal Hemorrhage
and Died Soon After
Mrs. Leigh was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Couillard, after whom Couillardville was named, and had the distinctions of being the first white child born along the Oconto River. She was born in the town of Oconto July 25, 1851, and lived her entire life there and at Leighton. In the fall of 1871, she was married to Joseph Leigh who survives her together with six daughters, Mrs. Omer Bryant and Miss Ruby Leigh, Milwaukee; Mrs. John Caldwell, Oconto; Mrs Bert Spice, Leighton; Mrs. William Chesley, Lena; and Miss Effie Leigh, at home; two sons, Arthur and Chester, Leighton and 10 grandchildren.
Mrs. Leigh attended the afternoon service at the Couillardville church and was apparently in her usual health, eating a heavy supper after her return home.
She had planned to attend the Aud Lang Syne meeting at the Woman's Club in this city Monday wearing some old clothing to give some reminiscences of the early days. Shortly after 8 o'clock she remarked "I do not think we can go into town tomorrow as the roads are so rough" and walked over toward a window where she sat down on a chair. Those were the last words she spoke. A moment later when members of the family looked up she was unable to speak and about 10:50 she passed away without having regained possession of her faculties.
The funeral was held from the Couillardville Presbyterian Church at one o'clock yesterday afternoon, Rev. C, A. Parker officiating, and her remains laid at rest in Evergreen cemetery in this city. (note: She was born Apphia Sophia Ann Couillard, aka: Effie Couillard.)