Notes:
Data source is Susan Kingrey Boxberger. E-mail hgb001@aol.com
Documents: Family Bible given to Henry B. Wonner and Susan Searer on their 1st wedding anniversary, copy of marriage license
Susan Kingrey Boxberger's name was chosen in memory of Susan Searer.
From a local newspaper obituary given to me by Ina Kingrey Apple:
OLD AND ESTEEMED RESIDENT CALLED Mrs. Susan Wonner, widow of Henry B. Wonner, passed away Monday evening at 8:30 at the home of her daughter Mrs. Wm. Kingrey, southwest of Covington. Mrs. Wonner had reached the ripe old age of 85 years and 3 days. She has been in failing health for some time. She, with her husband and family, spent almost all her life just west of Bradford, her nature was such that, in her community, each added years seemed to invite added respect to the loveable old lady.
She was one of the pioneer settlers of Bradford, coming from Pennsylvania with her parents, brother and sister, by steamboat to Cincinnati, they found their way eventually to what is now Bradford altho there was no Bradford, no railroad then, nothing but big woods. A part of her father, Christ Searer's house, still remains standing in east Bradford. She had a vivid memory of the building of the railroad with the big ox teams, and of the gradual clearing of the large forest tracts. Her sister Mrs. Whitmer, 90 years old, is still living in Missouri, who telegraphed she could not come.
One daughter, Mrs. Kingrey, two grandsons and one great grandchild are left to mourn their loss.
Funeral services will be held at Greenville Creek church Thursday at 2 p.m. Rev. Bailey officiating. Burial in Highland cemetery.
OBITUARY
Susan Searer Wonner was born November 23, 1838 in Pennsylvania, at Oakland Mills. Departed this life November 26, 1923 making her age 85 years, 3 days.
Her parents were Christian and Rosanna Searer. They came to Ohio, up the Ohio river in a steamer landing at Cincinnati in the spring of 1845. From there they came to Dayton on a canal boat. Uncle Benjamin Bashore conveyed them from Dayton to Pleasant Hill May 6, 1845, and on August 6, 1845, they located on 80 acres which is now part of Bradford, at that time which was mostly all forest.
They lived and saw a gradual change. The house in which they lived was part frame. Black walnut siding was used, a part still remains which is located in east Bradford. The inside finishing was of ash. These pioneers were like the great forest trees in endurance.
The railroad was built and graded by the use of oxen teams, later a box car was conveyed over the new rail and stationed for a depot which was later known as Bradford junction.
Her father was past 84 at death and her mother was past 90. Samuel Searer a brother died when 49 years of age. One sister Mrs. Mariah Whitmer, living at Oregon, Missouri, who is past 90 yers of age, and one cousin in Pennsylvania aged 78.
In the year 1865 when the funeral train of Abraham Lincoln stopped for a short while in Bradford, the family passed through the coach which was draped in black and saw the casket bearing the body of our immortal president.
She and Henry B. Wonner were united in marriage April 23, 1868, by Richard Brandon at her home. They spent near half a century in this happy union. Two children blessed the home, a daughter and a son, Christian Edward who died in 1881 at the age of 3 years, 10 months and 4 days. The daughter, Mrs. Ella Kingrey is the only one who survives of the immediate family. The mother has spent 8 years in the home of this daughter and husband.
February 18, 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wonner bought and moved to the old Arnold home and remained there until Mr. Wonner's death June 15, 1915.
There are three grandsons and one great granddaughter.
January 22, 1888, Mr. and Mrs. Wonner united with the Greenville Creek Christian Chruch under the direction of B. F. Kemp, and remained to be faithful followers of Christ until their deaths.
Early in life Mrs. Wonner was a member of the Lutheran church. Her devotion was first walking to church then horse back riding, horse drawn vehicle and last of all the automobile. Every young life should ponder over the devotion of such a life and the vast changes in one's life time.
While she lived, appreciated and loved her daughter's home, yet her heart would go out toward the old home of flowers, trees and birds where she lived so long.
IN MEMORIAM
Only a step twixt life and death,
Only a sigh, a groan, a breath,
Only a valley to pass o'er,
We fly away for ever more.
Earthly cares we leave behind,
Human ties, so sweet and kind,
So sudden oft we're called to go,
And leave all earthly scenes below.
Thy summons here we may not know.
They come to us both high and low,
And thus again it came to us,
Oh saddened hearts why was it thus?
What mighty toil and sacrifice,
Of earthly wealth, and human life,
To the bereft could we but know,
The bitter, bitter tears that flow.
For those that here were called away
Upon that awful, terrible day,
When mighty floods did them o'er take
With death and ruin in its wake.
Dear loving hearts, so sad forlorn,
We too shed tears for you that mourn,
With you that weep, and full of care,
Our heartfelt sympathy we share.
Both rich and poor, and high and low,
So unforseen were called to go,
Dear loving hearts, now rest in peace,
From earthly storms, and cares released.
Now hope, dear hope with us remain,
That "Home Sweet Home" is now your gain,
Be calm your rest, be sweet your sleep,
While we that live, our vigils keep.
Only a step, twixt life and death,
A parting sigh, a groan, a breath,
'Tis thus that we are called to go,
And leave all earthly scenes below.
Wm. M. Palsgrove
She was gone to her Saviour and loved ones in God's garden alone. Her last attendance at church was at the Old People's Program on June 2, 1922.
CARD OF THANKS
The family express their unbounded gratitude to neighbors and friends for their sympathy at this time of sorrow and for the floral tributes from the church, and Miss Ella Holfinger and school, also to the ladies who assisted in preparing the dinner.--The Family
The sister Mrs. Whitmer of Missouri, telegraphed she would not be able to attend the funeral on account of health and age.
Funeral services were held at Greenville Creek Church Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Bailey officiating. Burial in Highland cemetery under the direction of Chas. D. Miller, of Gettysburg.