Mary Smith Belshaw "Aunt Polly"
(Mrs. Henry Belshaw)
The following unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Betty Burton of Lowell:
AGED LADY HAS MISHAP
Falls to Floor and Breaks Her Leg Near the Hip
Mrs. Mary Belshaw had the misfortune to break her left hip Friday evening. She was sitting in an easy chair and arose to lay aside her spectacles, and her limbs giving way she fell to the floor, fracturing her hip. Drs. Quincy and Willits adjusted the injury. This may probably prove a serious injury, owing to the advanced age and feebleness of Mrs. Belshaw. -- Lowell Souvenir.
Mrs. Belshaw is the mother of Mrs. Ed. W. Dinwiddie whose husband is employed at the distillery.
Obituary of Mrs. Mary (Smith) Belshaw -- unknown source (in Clipping Files at Lowell Public Library--LH--"Vital Statistics," Vol. 1, p. 92).
Obituary
Mrs. Mary Smith Belshaw was born in Vigo Co., Indiana, October 26th, 1824. She moved with her parents in 1827 to Fountain Co., Indiana.
Upon the 9th day of October, 1835, they again moved to Will county, Illinois.
Upon the 4th day of July, 1844, she was united in marriage to Henry Belshaw; to this union there were 9 children, 6 girls and 3 boys., whose names are as follows: Elizabeth, John, Ann, Jennie, William H., Eunice E., Charles J., Letta and Candace.
The above children are all living but John and Letta.
William and John Smith are the only members of the family now living, 1 brother, 1 sister died in infancy.
Aunt Polly, as she was commonly known, became a member of the Christian Church at Sherburnville, Ill., at the age of 18 years, and remained faithful to her vows to the day of her death. Previous to her marriage, the family had moved to Sherburnville, she afterwards moved to West Creek and in the year of 189_ [illegible], she moved to Lowell, Ind., and lived on the West Side until the 28th of February, 1904, when she moved to the East Side near the church. She has been failing health for the past six years, and on Friday morning at a little past six o'clock she fell asleep in Jesus at the beautiful age of 8- years, 8 months and 9 days.
Her funeral, which was largely attended, occurred from the Christian church at 10:30 a.m. on Monday. Her pastor Rev. A.M. Hootman preached the funeral discourse. Music was furnished by the Christian church choir. Funeral Director John Castle had charge of the burial. Interment in the Sanders cemetery.
The following acted as pall bearers: Cyrus Dickinson, Albert Foster, Albert Hull, James Pinkerton, Martin Sanders and William Nichols.
Last updated on April 3, 2009.
Go to Mary Smith Belshaw, "Pioneer History Index" for further information.