Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1883 — To the Silent Land. [ARTICLE]

To the Silent Land.

[For the Republican .] Mattie P. Thompson died at 5 o’clock p. m., July 19th, 1883, in the city of Indianapolis. The funeral took place from her home at this place, last Saturday, at 2 o’clock p. m., and wa4 largely attended. Mattie Parkison was born in Barkley township, Jasper county, Ind., January 11th, 1847. Her father, John G. Parkison, was one of the earliest settlers in the county. Her mother was a daughter of Simon Kenton, the celebrated Pioneer Indian warrior. • Mattie was the youngest of a large family of children.- She was a bright child, and as a pupil in the public schools, ranked the highest of her class. She became a good school teacher, attended school at Indianapolis, and received a practical education. On April 23rd, 1872, she was married to Thomas Thompson, and has since lived with her husband/ and made his home happy, at Rensselaer. Her whole life was that of a student, with a quick, logical, honest mind. The fruits of her marriage were two boys, Earl, who died when a babe, and Ray, who survives his mother, a bright boy now six years old. The deceased had a kind, gentle nature, was simple and quiet in her mode of life, loving in her manners, and was a favorite with all. Her never-failing patience endeared her to all her acquaintances. Endowed with a porsonal character of the highest type of womanhood, she was unpretentious, and the soul of honor in all the relations of life. With a mind of literary bias, yet a philosophic cast, her opinions on a new question was formed after investigation. Keeping her own talent, she added thereto by helping others. On her memory was engraved the purest and wisest expressions of the books in her fine library. The daily work of deceased was worthy of womanly emulation. Her life was spent in doing and being good, as a child, pupil, teacher, wife and mother. Her character, virtues, sentiments and actions, even under the sting of affliction, were worthy of being cherished by a grateful and loving circle of friends. The Reaper came, and gathered a sweet life at its noon-tide, when hope was yet high. Mattie leaves to her husband and son a pure record of good deeds. “Rich in good opinions and high pra*sc\ All they could desire,bjit length of days.” * *