Maryetta Burch Palmer (1830-1910)
(Mrs. Adelbert D. "Del" Palmer)
1899 Palmer Anniversary
ca. 1875-80
The following comes from page 85 of Reports of the Historical Secretary of the Old Settler and Historical Association of Lake County, Indiana, from 1906 to 1910:
On February 16th, which was the 80th anniversary of the birthday of Mrs. A.D. Palmer, of Lowell, formerly of Creston, she received a "shower" of postal cards. Greeting came to her, it is stated, from three hundred and six relatives and friends living in twenty states, and forty-five towns, including a great-great-grandson, whose card was sent by his parents residing in Hammond. The "postal shower" was a marked success.
From page 90 of the 1910 Reports:
On March 23rd, Mrs. A.D. Palmer, in childhood Maryetta Burch, who so recently had a postal card birthday celebration, passed out of the confines of earth. She was married January 16th, 1849. Her husband yet remains among us and her seven sons and two daughters.
The following unidentified obituary was found in the Local History clipping files at Lowell Public Library (LH--Vital Statistics, Vol. 2, page 32):
Mrs. A.D. Palmer
In her early girlhood she confessed her faith in God, accepting Christ as her Savior and ever after lived the life of a true christian. Her religion consisted in doing good. A true and faithful wife, a kind and indulgent mother and a good neighbor has passed from among us. For 61 years she and her husband tread life's pathway together with no break in the family circle until now, which is a remarkable record.
Her funeral, which was largely attended, occurred from the Methodist church at 2 p.m. Friday, March 25. Rev. T.F. Drake preached an excellent funeral discourse, speaking words of comfort and consolation to the bereaved relatives and friends. Beautiful and appropriate music was furnished by a choir composed of Mrs. T.F. Drake, Mrs. J.W. Belshaw. William Sheets and Paul Hathaway, with Miss Merle Belshaw organist. Eight of her grandson as follows -- I.J. Thompson, Wilbur Thompson, Bert Thompson, Forrest Ragon, Robert Palmer, Oliver Palmer, Claude Palmer and Claire Palmer -- acted as pall-bearers. Her remains were deposited in the receiving vault to await the completion of the Mausoleum.
Another unidentified obituary on the same page was hand-dated 1910:
Maryetta Burch, second child and daughter of Calvin and Asenath (Hill) Burch, was born in Chautauqua county, New York, February 16, 1830, and died at her home in Lowell March 23, 1910, at the advanced age of 80 years, 1 month and 7 days.
While quite young she came with her parents to Union Mills, Laporte county, Indiana. The family moved from Laporte county to Marshall county, where she was united in marriage with Adelbert D. Palmer January 16, 1849. Immediately after their marriage they came to Lake county, settling in West Creek township, since which time she has continuously resided in this vicinity. This union was blessed with nine children -- seven sons and two daughters, as follows: Mrs. Amos Thompson, Lowell; Benjamin F., of Tulare, California; James C., Lowell; John D., of Chicago; Marcus A., Hammond; Charles F. Lowell; Edward G., East Chicago; Mrs. E.E. Ragon and Jasper P., of Lowell.
Coming as she did to this county at an early day she experienced all the inconveniences and hardships incident to the settlement of a new county. She lived to see what was almost a wilderness when she came here become a most beautiful and thickly settled country. Mrs. Palmer was very highly respected by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance and will be greatly missed and sincerely mourned by many outside her immediate family. When her husband was called to take up arms in defense of our country she was left with the care of the farm and seven small children. Nothing daunted [her as] she met the responsibility courageously and bravely.
