Mary Elizabeth Hill Surprise (1841-1926)
(Mrs. Henry Surprise)

Old Settler Is Called

MRS. HENRY SURPRISE PASSES AWAY; NEARLY 85 YEARS

This community was saddened last Thursday when they learned of the death of Mrs. Henry Surprise, one of our pioneer settlers. She has been in failing health for some time and finally she contracted pneumonia, which caused her death.

Mrs. Surprise was one of the pioneer settlers of this community, coming here when a girl with her parents, and has since made this her home. She came to this county when it was nothing more than a wilderness and lived to see Lake county grow into one of the best counties in the state. She knew the hardships of pioneer life and it is such women as she that helped to make this county what it is today. She was a woman who was beloved by all who knew her, being kind and gentle of disposition, and no one in need ever applied to her and went empty handed away. She cared for several of the relatives of the family when they were old and reared three orphan children, in addition to her own family, and they were given a home until they were called by death or made homes of their own. She was a woman who made the world better by having lived in it and she is sincerely mourned by a large circle of relatives and friends.

Obituary

Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Jas. and Mary Hill, was born in Greensburg, Decatur county, Indiana, July 12, 1841. She died at her home northeast of Lowell, February 18, 1926, at the age of 84 years, 7 months and 6 days.

She was the second child and last surviving one of a family of six children -- Jesse, Laura, Sarah, Lucinda and William J. -- all of whom preceded her in death.

She united in marriage with Henry Surprise, April 15, 1860, and for almost 62 years shared with him the joys and sorrows and labors of life on the way. Mr. Surprise passed away January 18, 1923.

Four children were born to them of whom three sons survive -- William, of Rock, Kansas, Albert J. and Jasper M., of Lowell. Eight grand-children and one great-grand-child share with one another and with a large circle of relatives and friends the great family bereavement.

Funeral services were held at the M.E. church in Lowell Saturday at 1:30 p.m. There was a large attendance of sorrowing relatives and friends who gathered to pay their last respects to a woman who they had so greatly loved in life. Rev. C.A. Brown, pastor of the church, preached the funeral sermon. Interment was made in the Creston cemetery beside her husband. Undertaker Weaver had charge of the burial service. The following acted as pall-bearers: Peter Frederick, Will Spry, Add Clark, Mel Robinson, Jesse Daum and Fremont Nichols.