Obituary of Christina (Eshelman) Laird

Lanark Gazetteer Week of March 30, 1904

Christina Eshelman was born in Bedford Co., Pennsylvania, May 3, 1820.
She removed with her parents to Carroll Co., IL in 1847. In 1849 she was married to John Laird with whom she lived in delightful union until his death in 1892. To them were born six children, four sons and two daughters. One son, Abram, died at the age of eighteen months, and one daughter, Annie Harwood died in 1885. Three sons, John E. James M. and Joseph and one daughter, Amelia survive her. Her son James reached here from Nebraska in time for the services, but John was unable to make the long journey from Washington to be present.
Mrs. Laird has lived in this community continuously since her removal from Pennsylvania in 1847.
In an early day she united with the Brethren Church at Arnold's Grove. Upon the organization of that church in Lanark she became one of its charter members, and remained a consistent and devoted member until her translation to the church triumphant March 30, 1904, aged 83 years, 10 months, and 27 days.
Services were held at the residence of her daughter Amelia with whom she had made her home for several years past. The services were under the direction of Rev. L. B. Trout, pastor of the Brethren Church of which she was a member. Revs. D. Rowland of this city, and A. C. Wakeman of Chicago also spoke at the services, the former having known her from his boyhood, and the latter in response to the expressed wish of the deceased.
Few members of this community could be revoked whose loss would be more keenly felt or more generally deplored.
For several years her health had been gradually failing and many times she occupied her place in church when her appearance indicated that one less devoted would have remained at home. Her remains were deposited the Lanark City Cemetery next to her husband.