Tuesday, April 1, 2014

52 Week Challenge # 11 Edith Esther Koup




Edith Esther Koup (Coup) Stetler


Edith Esther Koup
was Bob's Father's Mother's Mother,
Bob's Great Grandmother Stetler.

I find it difficult to write a bit of a bio for someone
whom I know little about.
That is where I find myself this evening.
I have Edith's
date of birth,
her date of marriage,
her date of death
and 
the pertinent census records,
and yet I feel as 
though I really do not have 
much of a feel for who she was . . . . .

There have been no family stories
that have been passed down
about Edith, to color in the facts a bit,
making her come a bit more alive.

Just recently, I found Edith's
 Obituary . . . .
At last, a teeny tiny glimpse of this 
dear woman from whom
my husband descends!

Edith Esther Koup was born to 
George W. Koup and Letitia Patrick 
in March of 1835.
The Koup family was in Pennsylvania
at the time of Edith's birth, and had perhaps even
begun their westward travels
to Rossville, Clinton County, Indiana.
Edith had at least 8 brothers and 
sisters, and was the eldest 
daughter.

Edith grew up in Rossville with her siblings.
A gentleman by the name of 
Simon Peter Stetler 
came into Edith's life in the mid-1850's.
Simon and Edith were married in 
Clinton County on the 24th of 
September in 1854.

Edith and Simon lived most of their 
married lives in Howard County, Indiana, 
moving to Tippecanoe County, Indiana
prior to 1895.

The 1900 U.S. Federal Census states that 
Edith had 12 children, and that in 
1900, 7 of those children
were yet living.
Four of their little babies died
very young,
 leaving a mother
and father with breaking 
hearts.

In April of 1895, Edith became a widow, losing her 
husband of 41 years.

Twenty one years later, Edith passed away, 
stepping from this life into life eternal
and the open arms of her Lord.

Edith died March 3, 1916 in Independence,
Fountain County, Indiana at the home of 
her son, Oscar Stetler.




Above is the Obituary for Edith Esther Koup Stetler.
It ran in the Williamsport Review Republican
on March 9, 1916, 
on page 4 and column 4.



2 comments:

  1. Thanks for your hard work. You have given a personality to the name of our great grandmother. What little I remember of Grandma Biggs was her kindness and generosity. Her mother would had to have been such a Godly influence on her children.

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    Replies
    1. Doris, you are so kind! I do believe that Edith was a very special lady, I imagine her with a gentle spirit and a sweet smile . . . . . I bet that her children adored her!

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