OBIT: Susan BEAM, 1894, Interment in Lititz, Lancaster County, PA

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Death of a Lady at a Ripe Old Age.

In last week's RECORD it was stated that Mrs. Susan Beam of Shamokin, 
Northumberland County, had recently informed a representative of the paper that 
it was her intention, if health permitted, to be present at linden Hall's 
centennial celebration next month, having been one of its early pupils.  Shortly 
after was issued  ??? the sad announcement that Mrs. Beam had passed to 
that ??????? from whence no traveler returns, thereby again demonstrating the 
often repeated saying that life is very uncertain.

Mrs. Beam died Thursday morning, May 17 at 5 A. M., at the residence of her son 
in law, Joseph Hemmerton and daughter Emanuel Frederic, at Shamokin.  She was 
taken ill with phenomena and lingered until relived by death.  She was fully 
conscious to the end, and thought previously avoiding referring to old age and 
death, during this illness she gave full instructions about her funeral and 
burial and requested that she be buried at Lititz.

Mrs. Beam's maiden name Sturgis.  She was born in York, Pa, came to Lititz with 
her parents in early childhood; she was confirmed in the Lititz Moravian church 
in 1828; she was married to Samuel Beam when she moved to Lancaster, and became 
a member of the Lancaster Moravian church, to which she clung until death. Her 
husband died in 1873, after which she made her home with her brother in law, 
Abraham T. Beam, with whom she had lived for a number of years.  During her 
widowhood she traveled a great deal, mostly throughout the west, and aggregate 
number of miles she covered was about 12,000.

Mrs. Beam was the oldest of a family of fourteen, but out lived nearly all her 
brothers and sisters.  The late Edward S. Sturgis of Lititz was the youngest in 
the family.  The surviving sisters are Mrs. Sarah M. Beam of Lebanon and Mrs. 
Caroline Baker of Lititz; Charles Sturgis of Lewisburg is the only surviving 
brother.  Of the remaining children there are Theodore, of Altoona; Cornelia, of 
Shamokin, and Sarah of St. Louis.  Three others have preceded her to the grave.

Mrs. Beam's age was 88 years, 10 months and 11 days.  Although she had passed 
beyond the allotted three score and ten, her mental faculties were well 
preserved.  Her memory was most excellent and she was able to recall many 
incidences of her childhood days. 

The remains of the deceased were brought here last Friday evening and taken to 
the residence of James Sturgis, from which place the funeral was held on 
Saturday afternoon.  Mr. M. C. Farrow, a Shamokin undertaker, had the body in 
charge.  The funeral services were held in the Moravian church.  Rev C. L. 
Moeneh officiated and delivered an appropriate funeral discourse after which the 
interment took place in the Moravian graveyard.  The body reposed in a handsome 
metallic casket.  On the lid were placed several artificial sheaves of wheat 
besides basket of flowers.

Lititz Record, Friday, May 25, 1894


Additional Comments:
Susan was the daughter of Samuel Justinus Sturgis and Susanna Sturgis born 
Correll and was born on 06 Jul 1805.