Wayne County Press
March 23, 1876
p1, c6

Mrs. ELIZABETH BOOK, daughter of J.C. and Margaret Gaston, was born May 28, 1828; was united in marriage to Michael Book, Dec. 6th, 1849; professed faith in Christ Feb. 1862, at the Big Mound school house under the official ministry of J.H. Morgan of the C.P. persuasion, died at her residence in Big Mound townshio March 10th, 1876, of typhoid fever, aged 47 years, 9 months and 12 days.

Deceased was the mother of seven children, six of whom survived her -- one one having crossed over to hail her happy on the other shore.  She led a quiet and uniformly consistent christian life -- was a kind neighbor, a fond and devoted wife and mother, and was universally loved and respected by all who knew her.

During her last illness her faith in Christ was strong.  When assured she could not recover she expressed her willingness to die, believing that death would be a release from suffering.  She called her family around her dying bed taking an affectionate leave of all, and vainly endeavoring to whisper words of comfort to the heart-stricken ones, and enjoining them to meet her in Heaven.  She intrusted the care of her family to her oldest daughter requesting her to follow in her mother's footsteps.

During her sickness she was remarkably patient although her sufferings were intense, and was often heard to exclaim, "I am just as happy as I can be."  She triumphed over death and gave strong evidence of Jesus' power to save.  A few hours prior to her last she looked up knowingly to the writer and said: "oh, I will soon be so much happier than you are."

She frequently would say glory! hallelujah! and other similar demonstrations of an abiding faith in Christ.  She repeatably remarked to her weeping friends whose hearts were all torn and bleeding, "I haven't I haven't one tear to shed -- no not even one toleave my baby" --a bright little boy of seven summers.  Mrs. Book met her last foe as calmly as the soft breathing of an infant's slumber.  This dear one was sick just just six days and died with her face radiant with the joyful assurance that she was going to see God and be with the angels and all the saints in Heaven.

The family circle is indeed broken -- one chair vacated.  The bereaved and grief-stricken husband and children have the heart felt sympathies of the entire community.  To the same we would say, no longer mourn for the sacred dead but be thankful that you were so honored and blessed as to have such a bright jewel to give back to your Savior, to deck his crown of glory.  She leaves the precious memorial of a good name.  We too loved the dear departed.
RODINA GASTON