STEUBEN REPUBLICAN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1904, page 1, column 7

JANE (JACKMAN) THURSTIN SAUNDERS, 26 Dec 1822 - 15 Jan 1904

Jane Jackman Saunders, widow of Henry Saunders, was born in Richland 
county, Ohio, Dec. 26, 1822, and died Jan. 15, 1904, aged 81 years and 20 
days.
   At the age of 14 years, she came with her father and mother, Robert and 
Phoebe Jackman, 4 brothers and 3 sisters, to a splendid section of land in 
Steuben county.  In the midst of great forests of maple, walnut and 
poplar, three miles from the nearest white neighbor, a cabin (the first in 
Richland township) had been prepared and here her youth was spent.  Other 
homes were soon built by the brothers and thus was founded what is still 
known as Jackman Settlement.  For five years a band of Maumee Indians had 
a village upon her father's land, and thus their traits, language and 
religion were better remembered by her, than, perhaps, by any other 
pioneer.  At the age of 22 years, she was married to Daniel Thurstin, who 
a few years later was strangled by the deadly damps while inspecting a 
well.  Thus she was left a widow with three children, the youngest being 
only ten days old.  In 1851, she was married to Henry Saunders, and in 
1879 she found him dead, overcome by heart failure on his way to the 
field.  To this union was born one child, Mrs. Frank B. Van Auken, with 
whom she has lived for over 20 years.  The frailest of 12 children, the 
span of her life has extended until she has seen her father and mother, 
all brothers and sisters, their wives and husbands, together with 20 or 30 
of the younger generation, laid in the "Silent City."  Her life has 
comprehended the greater part of the most wonderous of centuries.  Like 
one of old she seems to have added to long life also Wisdom, for her 
mother's Bible has been her life long study, comfort and solace.   
  "The truest friend she ever knew, its constancy she tried,
   Where all seemed dark she found it true,
   Her counselor and guide."
   For many years she has been a member of the Angola Christian church, 
beloved by all.  What else can tell the story?  Now she heeds no cry of 
love.  Her faithful hands grown old and wrinkled in unselfish 
ministrations are folded for the last peaceful sleep.  Her eyes are 
darkened to all the pictures of time; her cheery voice is still.  Her 
pilgrimage from girlhood in which she sought the path of duty, by trying 
to follow as best she could the footsteps of the world's early perfect 
life, is ended.  Yet she believed-and, the world's best thought seems to 
believe-that the Savior who stooped to help the weak and raise the fallen 
is Divine.  The world cannot help or harm, but unless the idea of 
immortality is a mockery, He will rouse her in the realm where
   "Time doth not breath on its fadeless bloom, 
    Beyond the clouds and beyond the tomb."
   Funeral services were held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Van Auken, 
conducted by Prof. Fairfield, on Monday, Jan. 18.  Burial at Eddys' 
corners cemetery.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

   Jane (Jackman) Thurstin Saunders/Sanders, 26 Dec 1822 - 15 Jan 1904, on 
04 Feb 1844 on license/ 1843 in 1885 History, married Daniel Thurstin 
(Thurston on license), 01 Feb 1820 - 25 Nov 1849.  Jane is buried at 
Eddy's Corners Cemetery.  Daniel's burial place unknown.
   Family Group Record from www.familysearch.com lists children:
      Calvin Hill Thurston, born 19 Sep 1845; Phebe Jane (Thurston) Smith, 
born 06 Dec 1847; Robert Jackson Thurston, born 19 Nov 1849.  He died 15 
May 1875.  (Phebe's married name was not listed on that record.)

On 17 Sep 1851, her 2nd marriage was to Henry Saunders/Sanders on license, 
born 1811 from 1885 History, but he died 29 May 1879, supposedly aged 63 
years, 4 months and 11 days which would translate to a birth date of 18 
Jan 1816.  He is buried at Pleasant Lake Cemetery, Steuben County, 
Indiana, and the inscription is on the monument of Frank B. Van Auken.  
   The child from the 2nd marriage, Rheumina "Nana" J. (Saunders) Van 
Auken, 06 Jul 1852 - 12 May 1931, on 23 Nov 1873, married Frank Buckle Van 
Auken, 13 Nov 1850 - 01 Dec 1915.  They are buried at Pleasant Lake 
Cemetery.  Frank was the son of Jacob Van Auken and his 1st wife, Nancy 
(Strawway) Van Auken.

"History of Steuben County, Indiana, 1885", page 830, biography of father, 
Robert Jackman; page 794, biography of son-in-law, Frank B. Van Auken; 
page 795, biography of daughter, Rheumina Sanders Van Auken; page 810, 
biography of brother-in-law, David W. Aldrich.
Steuben Republican, 19 Aug 1896, "Old Settlers" article "Residents More 
than 50 Years" listed Jane Jackman Saunders.
"Cemeteries of Steuben County, Indiana, 1990," by Audree Seibel Lewis, 
Vol. 2, pages 1586, 1860, 1861.
www.familysearch.org - 1880 United States Census, Otsego, Steuben County 
Indiana, Family History Library #1254312, NA Film Number T9-0312, page 
#388C.  Also, Family Group Record for Daniel Thurston. 
Submitted by:  Mona Hilden-Beckwith
e-mail:  hilbeck123@att.net