NOTE: Fritz Sprunger’s research at the Bern Library
yielded some fantastic insights to the life and times of the Schug brothers and
their families. Those of us who research our ancestors are always in search of
information and articles helps “flesh out” their lives beyond the dates of
events and birth of children.
An
article published by the Berne
Witness in December 1898
gives testament to Catharine Lucinda Schug (1883-1898). Oldest daughter
of William F. Schug (1853-1918) and Alvirda (Striker) Schug
(1864-1895). The strength of her character still leaves us today mourning her
untimely death.
Obituary of
Catharine Lucinda Schug was
born at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Schug in Monroe Township, Adams County, Indiana on April 18, 1884. She early on
developed a taste for literature and music, a taste which increased each
year. One day, at the age of 14, in the latter part of April as she was
jumping rope with a few of her playmates she fell on her face, knocking out a
couple of teeth and received cranial injuries. But for a long time it was
not thought she was dangerously hurt. She went about her work and play in
her usual way, but complained now and then of severe headache.
In the
middle of June she began to take sick spells. Her reading and singing,
which was her life, became interrupted by dizziness. So that she could
keep it up only a little while at a time. These spells occurred more
often and with greater intensity through July and August. Until the 29th of September the unfortunate young
daughter became bedfast. Her condition now grew critical in spite of all
the medical attention she received. She suffered excruciating pain in her
head and at last the world and all her pleasant surroundings of parents and
little brothers and sisters become lost to her in darkness-she lost her sight
in both eyes, and in that pitiful condition, subjected to intense suffering she
held out six weeks until she stepped out into a world that is free from sorrow
and free from pain.
When her
father began to fear that his daughter was sick unto death, he asked her if she
was prepared to die, whereupon she diligently sought peace with God until she
found the saving faith in Jesus. This was a few weeks before her death
and during this time she often expressed great joy to depart and meet her
Savior, and had visions of angels and chariots and of her younger sister who is
in heaven. She made preparations for her burial, gave descriptions for
her casket and garment and picked out her pall-bears and then waited for her
lost hour which came on Wednesday, November 23rd, having brought her
age to 14 years, 7 months, and 5 days. Her last words were, “:I’m so rich
in Jesus, He suffered more for me.”
Catharine
Lucinda was preceded in death by her mother and a sister and now leaves to
mourn their loss a father, step-mother, three brothers and three sisters.
Her funeral was held by Rev. B. Ruf on Friday, November 25th, at the Sharon church and her remains were laid to
rest beside her mothers in Backstow cemetery.
The Parents
extended their sincere thanks to all their neighbors and friends who so kindly
administered during the days that sadness visited their family.
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