STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1904, page 1, column 5

MELISSA JANE (WEST) SILABAUGH LATTA, 09 Mar 1844 -01 Apr 1904

   Melissa Jane West was born in Jackson township, Steuben county, 
Indiana, March 9, 1844, and died at her home in Jamestown, Ind., April 1, 
1904, aged 60 years and 22 days.
   At the age of 13 years, she was baptized and united with the church, 
living a constant Christian life for the past 48 years.  On Aug 30, 1868, 
she was married to Robert Silabaugh and to their union were born two sons, 
Milo J. and Robert M., and on October 6, 1872, he departed this life, 
leaving her with two small children to care for, and to fulfill a father's 
and mother's mission, doing every kind of work to support and make for 
them a home nor ever thinking it a hard task, taking God as her chief 
advisor to help her through sunshine as well as storm.
   On September 25, 1873, she married Moses Latta, and to this union were 
born five children, two daughters and three sons, the two youngest dying 
in infancy.  There remain Abbie U., Jennie E. and Moses, Jr., to mourn the 
loss of a kind and loving mother.  She has been spared to see them all 
grown up to be useful men and women.
   For the last eight years she has been a constant sufferer with dropsy 
and heart failure, not being able to do much housework or walk out to the 
neighbors.  She leaves an aged husband, five children, two grand-children, 
one sister, two brothers and a large circle of friends to mourn their loss 
of a kind and loving mother and friend.  The history of her life is one of 
gentleness; her disposition was one of kindness.  "The Lord Giveth his 
Beloved Sleep."
         "One less at home!
         The charmed circle broken - a dear face
         Missed day by day from its usual place;
         But cleansed, saved, perfected by grace -
         One more in Heaven."

Item #2, Steuben Republican, April 6, 1904, page 8, column 4, "Jamestown 
Items"

   Milo Sillabaugh and Mrs. Jennie Ladd of Sherwood who were called here 
by the sickness and death of their mother, Mrs. Latta, have returned to 
their homes.
   Mrs. Jane Latta, for years a resident of this place, died at her home 
April 1, aged 60 years.  Mrs. Latta was a very intelligent, bright woman 
and was esteemed by every one for her kindness and christian charity.  
Though a great sufferer for years from dropsy and heart trouble, she was 
always patient and cheerful, making life pleasant for those around her.  
She will be missed by the home circle and the community.

ADDITIIONAL INFORMATION:

"Silabaugh has also been spelled Sillabaugh and Silbaugh."
   Melissa Jane (West) Silbaugh Latta, 09 Mar 1844 - 01 Apr 1904, married 
1st, Robert Silbaugh (on marriage license) who died 06 Oct 1872.  Melissa 
was the daughter of George and Sarah (Sams) West.  Melissa is buried at 
Jamestown Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana.  Robert's burial place 
unknown.  Abbie who was a child of the 2nd marriage was born in Branch 
County, Michigan.  Perhaps Melissa and Robert were living there when he 
died.
CHILDREN FROM 1ST MARRIAGE:
   Milo J. Silbaugh, no other information.
   Robert Morton Silbaugh, 1871 - 1905, on 19 Jan 1899, married Ollie M. 
(Clark) Silbaugh, 1877 - 1943.  They are buried at Jamestown Cemetery.

CHILDREN FROM 2nd MARRIAGE to Moses Latta Sr., 1831 - 1907, buried at 
Jamestown Cemetery.
   Abbie Ursulla (Latta) Rohrabaugh Roush, 06 Aug 1874 - 14 Jun 1953, on 
02 Apr 1892, married 1st Joseph Rohrabaugh, 05 Feb 1861 - 1927, son of 
Joseph Sr. and Mary Ann (Frick) Rohrabaugh.  Abbie and Joseph Jr. are 
buried at Jamestown Cemetery.  She married 2nd, Jacob Roush, no further 
information.  
   Jennie E. (Latta) Ladd, 1875 - 1956, on 16 Nov 1892, marrie Edward E. 
Ladd, 1869 - 1909.  They are buried at Jamestown Cemetery.
   Moses Latta Jr., 1877 - 1956, married Della T. (Thompson) Latta, 1869 - 
1918, daughter of Melvin and Orsena P. (Brown) Thompson.  Moses and Della 
are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery, Orland, Steuben County, Indiana.

"History of Northeast Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb 
Counties, Vol. II," under the supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, 
William H. McEwen, and William H. McIntosh; Biography of Joseph 
Rohrabaugh, page 134.
Steuben Republican, 24 Aug 1904, "The Pioneers" death list-Melissa.
"Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, 
Vol. 2, pages 1100, 1084, 1085, 1551, 1552, 1663.
Submitted by:  Mona Hilden-Beckwith
e-mail:  hilbeck123@att.net