The Northern Lyon County Journal
Allen Kansas
September 26, 1928
Mrs. M.J. Reaburn Departs Funeral Last Friday P.M. One of our pioneer citizens and oldest mother passed on to her reward at her home in Allen last Wednesday morning about 10 o’clock at the age of 86 years, after a continuous residence in Kansas of nearly half a century, coming to Allen with her husband R.A. Reabourn, when the townsite was first staked out, and has watched it grow from a dot on the open prairie into a prosperous commercial center, in which the Reaburn family has taken an important part in the development, George, Mack and DeWitt now carrying on the hardware business, established and conducted by their father, R.A. Reaburn, who at the time of his death, was Probate Judge of Lyon County. Grandma Reaburn, as she was called by all who knew her, lived to see the Reaburn business which bore her name develop under the careful management of her sons, from a small hardware store into a big hardware store and lumber business with new building to take care of its constantly increasing business. She also lived to see her daughter, Nick appointed postmistress of Allen, which positions she still holds and her son, Mack, appointed to the responsible position of Cashier of the State Bank of Allen, and her baby son, Allen named after the town, in honor of the first boy born within its limits after the town was plotted, holding a position with Uncle Sam as our mail carrier on Route 1. She also lived to see and a short time enjoy the transformation of her abiding place, home, into a modern haven of rest. These are a few of the earthly blessings that a mother of nine children seldom live to enjoy, and in her death, the surviving children and other relatives will lose a kind and loving mother, the community a kind friend, and neighbor and the church a faithful member, who will extend the deepest sympathy to the afflicted ones. Funeral services were held at the Allen M.E. church last Friday afternoon at 2:30 conducted by Rev. Wm. Conrad and the church was crowded to its capacity with relatives and friends. The choir consisted of Mrs. Florence St. Bonnett, Mrs. Stella Layton, Sherman Johnston, and Chas. Showalter with Mrs. Susie Haas at the piano. Relatives from out-or-town attending the funeral were: W.B. Reaburn, of Livonia Mo.; Dr. and Mrs. H.D. Canfield, Topeka; Mr. And Mrs. Robert McMaster, Eskridge; Mr. And Mrs. George Hamer, Mr. And Mrs. Otho Shaw and J.W. Musick of Harveyville, Kansas. At the close of the services relatives and friends passed by and viewed the body in a beautiful casket banked high with floral offerings, after which the body was conveyed to the Allen cemetery and laid to rest. The pall bearers were: W.R. Kinneman, C.E. Hancock, J.F. Kelly, L.B. Rhudy, R.E. Roberts and M.D. Powell. The Northern Lyon County Journal
Allen Kansas
September 26, 1928Obituary Mary Jane Shumate was born in Peterstown, Virginia, April 9, 1842 and departed this life September 19, 1928; being at the time of her death 86 years, 6 months and 10 days old. She was married to Robert A. Reaburn November 1, 1865. In 1871, she and her family came to Kansas and moved to Allen at the time it was started and has lived here until her death. She and her husband were the parents of 9 children. They [this is the way the obituary appeared] “Allen M.E. church, Friday at 2 o’clock” ton, J.D., Lizzie N., Nona D., Mack and Allen. Three of these passed on before their mother, Lulu, Houston, and Nona D. The others with the exception of W.B. who lives at Livonia, Mo., all reside in Allen. Mr. Reaburn died in 1897 at which time he was Probate Judge of Lyon county. Mrs. Reaburn was for many years member of the Methodist Protestant church and lived a life of consistency and was loved and respected by all who knew her. Funeral services were held at the Allen M.E. church, Friday at o o’clock P.M., and in the absence of Rev. Patton, the services were conducted by Rev. Wm. Conrad, and the remains were laid to rest in the Allen cemetery. |