History: Alice Cartan of Matawan Dead at 24 (1900)

Gravestone of Alice Cartan and her brother, Andrew J Cartan. (Find-A-Grave)

The 22 Nov 1900 edition of The Matawan Journal included the front page obituary of Alice Cartan, who died in her mid-twenties from complications of typhoid fever. The text is rich and colorful, a wonderful example of obituaries of the era.

OBITUARY. - Alice Cartan

Another bright and beautiful life has gone out from us, another voice which has so often been heard singing the sweet songs of Zion is forever hushed. Alice Cartan, daughter of Lawrence and the late Ellen Cartan, died at her home in this place on Thursday last, after an illness of five weeks' duration of typhoid fever and pneumonia, aged 24 years and 9 months. During the past year the Angel of Death has entered many Matawan homes, plucking here and there a loved one, but in the removal of this estimable young lady, the blow is a peculiarly severe one, and seldom has a death produced a more painful effect than the one that we regretfully record in this obituary, the announcement of her death causing deep sorrow throughout the community. In her home life she was the light of the household, making home a bright and happy place. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and in her church relations, her many gifts and graces made her most invaluable, being prominently identified with the Sunday School, the Christian Endeavor Society, and the Mission Band, and her lovable example inspired others engaged in church work, and her beautiful, Christian life, though early closed, will shed a fragrance over all who shared her acquaintance.

The funeral occurred on Sunday afternoon, Rev. A. H. Young, D. D., officiating, assisted by Rev. Mr. Irwin. The services opened with a duet by Mrs. Mary McDoal and Miss E. G. Fisher, entitled "Sweet Peace, the gift of God's love," followed by reading of scriptural selections by Rev. Mr. Irwin. Miss Fisher then sang a solo "That Beautiful Isle," after which Rev. Dr. Young made a brief address, taking for his text the words contained in Luke 10, 42 "She hath chosen that good part which shall never be taken away from her," and in his remarks paid a touching tribute to the sweet life and Christian character of the departed.

Miss McDoal and Miss Fisher sang the hymn beginning "Some day the silver cord will break," and prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Young, after which an opportunity was given to all to look for the last time upon the face of her whom in life they had loved so well. Aud then the sad procession wended its way out to Rose Hill Cemetery where the mortal remains were committed to the ground, there to peacefully sleep until the mists have rolled away, the dawn shall break, and the shadows flee away.

Besides her father she leaves one sister, Miss Kate Cartan, and her brothers, A. J. Cartan, Rens, Garrett and Bert.

Many persons residing out of town were present at the services, among whom were Misses Bagen, of, N. Y.; E. L. Murphy, of Mount Vernon, N. Y.; Misses Rue, of Perth Amboy; Mrs. Edwin Furman, of South Amboy; Misses Wllllams of Jersey City; Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Henderson, Miss Lambertson and Harry Lambertson, of Newark; Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Petit, of Hempstead, L. I.; Miss Magee, of Jamesburg; E. E. Dayton of Asbury Park; Mr. and Mrs. Mung of Keyport; the Misses Schanck, of Holmdel; Mrs. Charles Gehlhaus, Miss Gehlhaus and William Gehlhaus of Atlantic Highlands.

The floral tributes were many in number and beautiful in design. The bearers were: R. F. Fountain; Edsell W Bissell; H. O. Wyckoff; W. G. Bedle, Fred F. Schock, P. J. Devlin.