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    Benjamin Burtch was born at Hayden, May 29, 1846, and lived there most of his life. He moved to his home near Commiskey in October, 1897. He was married to Sarah Jane Hartwell, at Hayden, May 25th, 1869. To this union were born five children, the first two a boy and a girl who were twins, died in infancy. The other three children, a son and two daughters, are still living. There are eleven grand children. He also leaves a brother and a sister, the latter living at Puget Sound. Uncle Ben and his wife together united with the Hayden Baptist Church the year following their marriage, 1870, and have remained active members of the church ever since, raising their children up to be workers and members of the church which they loved. They removed their membership to Commiskey upon removing to this place. He was a teacher in the Sunday School at Hayden for several years. He joined the Hayden Lodge, I.O.O.F. in 1875, and was a soldier of the Civil War and for a number of years had been a member of the G.A.R. and always took much interest in their meetings and attended as long as he was able. He was of a jovial and cheerful nature and made many friends wherever he went. He was honest, truthful and sincere.
    He had been in failing health for about a year. He died Aug. 2, 1912, at 12:30 a.m., aged 66 years, 2 months and 4 days.
    Another old soldier has fought his last battle grimly to the end, another comrade has dropped from the ranks seemingly vanquished by the great foe, Death, but with Christ for his Captain, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ."
    Sarah Jane Hartwell was born in Jennings County near North Vernon, June 28, 1841. She was married to Benjamin Burtch May 25, 1869. Five children were born to them, two dying in infancy. Those living are, John Burtch, Mrs. Grace Layman and Mrs. Nellie Kail. There are twelve grand children. Her husband preceded her to the Heavenly home about 16 months ago. Aunt Jane was one of a family of 9 brothers and sisters, all of whom are dead except two brothers Allen and Gordon Hartwell, and one sister Mrs. Eliza Smith. She has spent all of her married life at Hayden. They moved to their present home near Commiskey about 16 years ago. Soon after their marriage, she and her husband united with the Baptist Church at Hayden, where they were earnest earnest workers until their removal, when they changed their membership to Commiskey, where they remained loyal until their deaths. Aunt Jane has been in poor health for over forty years, hardly knowing what a well day meant in all that time, yet bearing her affliction bravely and rearing her children to be honest and industrious and teaching them to live Christian lives from childhood up. Her life has been well lived, her work on earth faithfully done, her record closing Dec. 24th, 1913, almost with the passing of the Old Year. The New Year, which to us will soon be old, and then gone, will be to her only the entrance of an eternity of rest and happiness. When we look on the wasted form and think of the pain and anguish she has undergone for these long years, we could not, had we the power, wish her back to this world of suffering. God has given her a christmas gift of eternal life. It is hard to part on earth, but the reunion in Heaven will be joyful.
    The Christmas eves to come, instead of being a time of sadness to the children and grand-children, should be remembered with love and veneration, because on that date, God gave to the little tired mother, the victory over Death and a mansion in Heaven. May He give us the grace to meet her there.

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