Elvina Catharine (Goff) Eliason (1841 - 1910)

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 22 Jan 1910 at age 68 in Tunnelton, Preston County, WV

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Biography

1870 residence Reno Twp., Preston County, WV; 1880 residence Reno District, Preston County, WV; 1900 residence Reno District, Preston County, WV

She is buried in the Blackwood Cemetery, near Newburg, Preston County, WV in an unmarked grave.

The Preston County Journal.
Kingwood, West Virginia, Thursday, March 3, 1910.
Vol. XLIV. No. 27 Whole No. 2278.
Page 2, Column 4
Obituary.
Elvina Catharine Eliason, born Jan. 27, 1841, died Jan. 22, 1910. Her maiden name was Goff. She was married to Joseph Eliason when about 20 years of age, with whom she was permitted to live until the year 1882, when her husband was called from time to eternity. leaving her destitute of a congenial companion, and resting upon her the responsibility and cares of a large family, there being 6 sons and 5 daughters in family, all of whom were then living, and of an age that needed a father’s counsel, as well as a mother’s care. Yet, was the courageous woman compelled to face these responsibilities alone; and with the courage of a heroine, do we find her courageously battling with fate caring for those boys and girls as only a fond mother could do. Yet in the midst of her cares and toils, was that motherly heart pierced with an arrow, the anguish and grief of which none but a mother can feel; in a few years after the loss of her husband, death again entered that peaceful home, and in less than one week three of those daughters which had been entrusted to her care were taken from her by death. Whatever may have been her fond anticipations for their future in that of seeing them enter upon life’s duties, as living monuments of her devotion to them was so hurriedly stamped out of her life. Notwithstanding these afflictions and life’s trying ordeals do we find this Christian mother toiling on in her humble home caring for and directing the children yet left to her care: soothing her own wounded heart with a Christian’s consolation, that in the yet to be it would be her privilege to again behold their faces that they had only gone on before to welcome their mother home at last, when her arduous duties were over. As living witnesses to her realization of the great responsibilities encumbered upon her in that of providing for her children’s future usefulness she was alert to the fact that her children must receive a mental training beyond her ability to impart, and in order that they receive this training, it was necessary for them to be kept in the public schools during the months said schools were kept open; and in all her noble life she did not exemplify the true parent more than in this line, that of seeing that her children must be in school and to her honor all those which were permitted to remain with her to the age of manhood or womanhood received a fair common school education. There [sic] attendance at school was good which the writer knows having been their teacher for several winters. It was the childrens’ good she looked to, not what they could gather together for her comfort.
Those who had an occasion to observe her life they could not fail to see a power and force therein which could not have existed had she not based her hopes on the solid rock, Christ Jesus.
Nearly 17 years ago, death again visited her home, this time taking from the family circle a noble young lady, who had grown up to be a great stay and comfort to her six brothers who needed a sister’s sympathy in their laudable efforts to alleviate the responsibilities of their mother, none but a parent can tell the weight of this blow coming to her in her declining years.
While she felt the pangs of bereavement, she realized at the same time her boys, who had now grown into manhood, needed a father’s council, but this they were deprived of, so she as far as possible must fill that deceased father’s place, in the advice and council given. We need not search for one who has done some daring deed to find a heroine.
It is only necessary to go to that humble home, from which the father has been taken, leaving all the responsibilities resting upon that devoted companion, who must ever carry in the heart of hearts (a mother’s heart) her sad bereavement, yet feeling the weight of her responsible position, and courageously meets her fate. This is the true heroine.
Courageous in all her adversities in life, she still retained that moral courage and patience in her tedious and distressing sickness, realizing for several weeks that the time was hastily approaching when she must bid adieu to earthly friends to greet those who had preceeded [sic] her.
Calm and composed she met the great conqueror, death. She leaves to mourn their loss, two aged sisters, six boys, one girl, and many more distant relations, friends and neighbors.
A. J. S.

Sources

• "The Goff Family" Roy L. Lockhart 1974, "The Bonnifield Family; A Record of the Descendants of Gregory Bonnifield" Charles J. Maxwell 1918, her obituary, Find A Grave, U.S. census returns.