Halfway, Baker County, Oregon
Eliza, the youngest child of Jacob and Matilda Wilkinson, was born in Illinois, November 1st, 1852, and died at Halfway, Oregon, Mary 20, 1924, age 71 years, 6 months and 19 days.
The Wilkinson family came overland from Illinois in 1862, and settled on a homestead in High valley, near Union, where the subject of this sketch grew up to womanhood, and where on March 16, 1878, she was united in marriage to Worden Hathaway. To this union were born 9 children – three surviving – two sons, Andrew and Worden, one daughter, Ruby Chandler, all of Halfway, Oregon. There are 10 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren; one brother, Andrew Wilkinson, who is now in very poor health, survives.
A number of years ago she joined the 7th day Adventist Church and died in Christian faith. She was a charter member of Preston Woman’s Relief Corps No. 22, and was an active member as long as she was able to attend.
In 1909 her husband was called away by death. Soon after the family moved to Halfway, Oregon, which has ever since been her home.
Last August she was stricken with paralysis and has been a great sufferer ever since, but through all she bore it with Christian fortitude.
She was noted for her willingness to lend a helping hand whenever opportunity presented itself. The funeral took place from Cock Bros. undertaking parlors, Union, last Friday afternoon, Rev. C. A. Quinn conducting it. The remains were buried in Union cemetery.
Contributed by:Robin Church
Obituaries and Other Vital Records of Union County, Oregon. 1890 – 1930. Compiled by Clara Cline Lee. Reproduced by Walter M. Pierce Library, Eastern Oregon Library, 1972.