STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1903, page 2, columns 1, 2 CAROLINE (WEATHERWAX) GREEN NEWTON, 17 Dec 1817 - 18 Apr 1903 MRS. CAROLINE NEWTON Deserved Tribute to a Worthy and Honored Life "Who knows what earth needs from earth's lowliest creatures? No life can be pure in its purpose and strong in its strife, And all life not be purer and stronger thereby, Honest love, honest sorrow, Honest work for today--Honest hope for tomorrow, Are these worth nothing more than the hand they make weary? The heart they have saddened, the life they leave dreary? Owen Meredith It is the purpose of this sketch to anticipate, somewhat inadequately it is confessed, the kindly words that are always spoken of the dead. It is not intended to displace the sweet solace of the epitaph, but in life, while yet hope and joy quicken the lagging pulse, to see that "some kindly word be spoken." There is universal assent to the sentiment, "De mortuis nil nisi bonum,"--and why not something of that to the living. Historically, it is known that Caroline Weatherwax was born in Pittstown, Rensselaer county, N. Y., Dec. 17, 1817; that two years later her family moved to Orleans county, N. Y. and thence in 1836 to near Adrian, Mich. July 3, 1838, she married Wm. Green and began a new home at Hudson, Mich. Dec. 24, following, her first great affliction came in Mr. Green's death. Returning to her father's home, a brief time afterward was born her son, William H. Green, with whom and his estimable wife she now has her home at Orland, "waiting, till the shadows are a little longer grown". In 1844, she married Nelson Newton, and has happily counted Orland her home since. To this union were born two sons, Eugene, who died at 10 years of age, and George N. Newton, whose home is in Independence, MO. Mr. Newton, after long years of conspicuous and creditable service as a public spirited citizen, experienced failing health, then years of suffering, mitigated by tenderest ministries of wife and children, died in 1892 at 83 years and 4 months. Had Caroline Weatherwax been privileged to avail herself an early Vassar or Wellesley, who can say she had not shone among the most distinguished women of the past century? To those among whom she has lived now, nearly three score years, and to whom she is abundantly endeared by thousands of generous and unselfish acts and neighborly deeds, thoughtful and unremitting, she is vastly more than "distinguished woman." She is a noble, large hearted follower of Him, who declared with Divine authority. "In as much as ye did it unto one of the least of these of mine ye have done it unto me." While her early life was given with becoming and characteristic energy to her studies, and her young womanhood to teaching, Mrs. Newton insists she has not yet "finished her education," as quite too many Misses of this day complacently announce. Of the details of any busy life, its cares, its burdens and its triumphs or defeats, we know, at best, but little. There are lives which tho' hidden from public view by exacting home and neighborhood duties, yet attain a certain (illegible word), by reason of peculiar devotion to lofty ideals and a general constancy to highest purposes. Such has been Mrs. Newton's life. While vigilant and faithful to home duties, she has always retained something akin to a modified public life, in a moulding and shaping influence over the mental (illegible word) and beliefs of her neighbors. In the half century from 1850 to 1900, few women found in the common walks of life, wielded so wide an influence purely personal. From 1850 to 1860, when anti-slavery discussions occupied the front, in all our public life, Mrs. Newton, as mentor and assistant, was only second to her husband, and such characters as Capt. Barry, the Fox brothers and Mr. S. U. Clark in enterprises related to the "U. G. Railway." Orland people will recall her fidelity to principle as illustrated when "Uncle Short," an old colored man, long favorably known in that vicinity, infirm, alone and homeless, approached life's troubled close. He was given the guest chamber and all needed attentions, as fully and freely as if he were a prince of royal blood; and as the first rays of the eternal morning saluted his vision, he failed not to leave his benediction upon the Newton household. And all her life so has it been. A score of boys now finding homes in remote places will certify that Mrs. Newton was the most indulgent and talented of entertainers. Boys at that day had not yet achieved the euphonious title of "kids." All these were her "boys." An hour at Mrs. Newton's was to be remembered. As a rule, the pleasure of the average matron, in entertaining a lot of noisy boys--not ideally well behaved is largely perfunctory. At Mrs. Newton's the broadest liberty prevailed. >From barn and orchard and meadow, through houses and meadow and orchard and barn again, then to an ample "Lunch," was the experience. Instinctively the troubled and perplexed sought Mrs. Newton for a solution of burdening woes. Feeble mothers at midnight, if need be, might call with certainty, and Mrs. Newton's response was quick and cheerful. The nation's problems thro' the great war and the following reconstruction troubles, and all resultant matters, engaged her interested attention. She was a wise and valiant warrior in all reform movements-in temperance and kindred work, participating with a fidelity that knew "no shadow of turning." Ever steadfast, ever an optimist, ever a teacher. This life has not lacked symmetry. Pre-eminently a devoted christian woman, she has given the best of her years to the work of the church, and to commending in all her ways whatever exalts individual and national righteousness. Happy the Sunday school class, old or young, who secured her services as teacher, and happy that community, to whose already ample record of noble and well spent lives may be added, "Caroline Newton." Tenderly and slowly settle the shadows, as in the glow of life's sunset, she sits, unafraid, awaiting with cheerful resignation the summons of her Master. O. C. S. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Caroline (Weatherwax) Green Newton, 17 Dec 1817 - 18 Apr 1903, married William H. Green who died 24 Dec 1838. They are buried at Memorial Grove Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana. They had one son, William H. Green, 21 Apr 1839 - 14 Sep 1918, who married Melissa (Stayner) Green, 17 Jul 1843 - 31 Aug 1937. Willliam is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery. Melissa is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery, California. Melissa was the daughter of Jacob Stayner, 29 Jan 1787 - 07 Jan 1843, and his 2nd wife, Eliza (Nuttle) Campbell Flowers Stayner, 01 Nov 1807 - 07 May 1859 who are buried at Jackson Prairie Cemetery, Steuben County, Indiana. On 22 Jun 1844, in Madison Township, Lenawee County, Michigan, Caroline married Nelson Newton, 28 Mar 1808 - 03 Jan 1892. He is buried at Memorial Grove Cemetery. Son: Eugene Newton, 13 May 1845 - 13 Jun 1855, is buried at Memorial Grove Cemetery. Son George N. Newton was in Independence, Mo., in 1903. Nelson Newton's 1st wife was Mary (Stocker) Newton, Aug 1811 - 17 Jan 1842, buried at Memorial Grove Cemetery. Their children: Martha A. Newton, 22 Jan 1827 - 26 Mar 1836. Susan Newton, 05 Sep 1834 - 05 Apr 1836. George Newton, 02 Sep 1839 - 07 Aug 1841. The first two girls died of scarlet fever. All three are buried at Memorial Grove Cemetery. They had another child named Martha who was born in 1842 and died 24 Jan 1894. She married A. Crites. She is also buried at Memorial Grove Cemetery. No information on Mr. Crites. "Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990", by Audree Seibel Lewis, Vol. 1, pages 439, 768, 769; Vol. 2, pages 1349, 1739, 1740. www.familysearch.org Steuben Republican, 22 Aug 1894, "The Pioneers." Submitted by: Mona Hilden-Beckwith e-mail: hilbeck123@att.net