Shurtleff, Sarah (née Arnold) (Died)

Mrs. Sarah Arnold Shurtleff, mother of Messrs. W. C. and A. K. Shurtleff, died Monday. Sarah Arnold was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, September 2, 1837. She was the daughter of William and Lavina Arnold. When she was three years old her parents moved to Illinois. Her father was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. Their home was included in a great circuit in the Fox River valley known as the Chicken Grove Circuit. The ministers made the Arnold home their headquarters. The daughter, Sarah, grew up amid the helpful influences of the church and a Christian home. It was natural that one who lived amid such influences should wish to attend school. She was enabled to acquire a good education at the St. Charles academy. After completing her word at the academy she taught school for a period. She married Mr. Calvin Shurtleff in October, 1858. They continued to live near the old home for a while and then moved to Sycamore, Ill. in 1864. They spent twenty-five years in Sycamore and De Kalb, after which they moed to Waterloo, Iowa, and from there to Washington D. C. They came to Wilmette in 1894. Mr. Shurtleff died in 1896. Mrs. Shurtleff continued to make Wilmette her home until her death, which occurred September 14.

In Sympathy With Her

Mrs. Shurtleff found in her husband a man who was in hearty sympathy with her helpful influences of her father's home. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shurtleff became a church center. During the twenty-five years they dwelt in Sycamore and De Kalb they were prominent in all the good work of their town. They kept a room especially for ministers. The door was always unlocked. Often ministers came late at night and found their way to their room and were welcomed in the morning to the family circle by these devoted people. William Spencer, Samuel Adams, J. H. Moore and Luke Hitchcock were among the may who were frequently entertained. Four children grew to manhood and womanhood. Mrs. J. Chesro, now of Maywood, Mrs. Frank Eaton of Galesburg, Ill, Mr. W. C. Shurtleff and Mr. A. K. Shurtleff of Wilmette. They remember with delight the entertainment of noted friends. In the long months while their mother suffered so much in her final illness they gave a rare example of filial devotion. Mrs. Shurtleff was a brilliant woman. Her mind was able to grasp the deep things of life. In the later years affliction came upon her but her long Christian service and devotion to Christ brought such a trust and such a vision that at eventide she was able to see through the gloom to the light, and the city where the loved ones of her own generation waited for her coming.