Mrs. Henry C. McElwain

Mary Elizabeth Dunham, widow of Henry C. McElwain, died Sunday morning at 1 o’clock at her home, No. 127 Glen Avenue, after an illness of several months. She was born at Otis, Mass., in 1844, and was united in marriage to Mr. McElwain in October 1886. She leaves an only daughter, Mrs. Norman A. Bissell, and a grand-daughter, Elisabeth McElwain Bissell, of this city¹, and three brothers and two sisters who live in Vermont.

Mrs. McElwain has occupied a prominent place in the life of Amsterdam for many years, being a woman of un-usual business ability, with wonderfully clear judgment and foresight. She was a valued member of many of the organizations in the city. She was a member of the Century club, the D. A. R., the board of governors of the Good Will club, the State Charities Aid Association, the Ladies Auxiliary of St. Ann’s church, the Children’s Home As-sociation, and the Market Street Hill Bridge Club. The funeral will be held at her home, Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, the Rev. Dr. E. T. Carroll, of St. Ann’s church, officiating. Interment will be in Green Hill, with the following acting as bearers: Judson P. McElwain, Hoel S. McElwain, Myron E. Jones, Samuel F. Powell, Fred Davey and Sherman McNeil.

The Death of Mrs. McElwain brings a feeling of personal loss and grief to her numerous friends. There are few women in the world, gifted with the power to command, the lifelong affecttion and loyalty, that she drew from her friends by her sweet and  charm-ng personality and unselfish sympathy. Her life was one of service,  in  the highest sense of the word. Her home was always open for the church and other societies in which she was interested,  and she was always ready to listen to the needs of the poor. Her warm heart went out to all the unfortunate and she gave lavishly, not only her means but her strength, serving long hours for the poor and visiting them in their homes.

In the business world Mrs. McElwain took her place. With an alert brain and great executive ability, she managed the affairs of a large estate, and with her clear vision planned a notable work, the construction of the new theatre building on Market street, that she was destined to leave unfinished, but it will stand for years as an ornament to the city and a monument to the gifted and courageous woman. One of the things that endeared Mrs. McElwain to her friends was her loyalty. She was a tower of strength to those who sought her advice and her sunny disposition and unfailing cheerfulness sent a ray of sunshine into the dark places in many hearts, and made her beloved by old and young alike. When asked by a friend how she could do so much, she said: “A merry heart lives long,” and it was the slogan of her life. She kept her heart merry and sweet and she carried the same brave heart to her death, never once complaining, but looking into the beyond with the high and happy courage with which she had met the trials of life.

A woman of high ideals and Christian character, a loving and devoted mother, a wise counselor, an unselfish, loyal friend,  has gone and left an aching void in the hearts of her dear ones,  but there is a sense of heroism and glory left to them.

¹believed to have been Amsterdam, NY

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Died Nov 12/1916

Aunt Elizabeth