Aug. 9, 1822-February 3, 1894
Niles Daily Star, Friday, February 9, 1894, page 2, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Mrs. E.A.H. Pettingil passed away in this city at the residence of her son-in-law, Judge O.W. Coolidge on the 3rd inst. this being the 10th anniversary of the death of her husband.
Mrs. Pettingil was born in Sweden, Monroe Co., N.Y., on the 9th day of Aug., 1822. Her child-life was singularly happy and beautiful. In a home where a cheerful and joyous religion was supreme; where thorough discipline was tempered with parental love and tenderness; where a limited competence was secured by severe economy and industry on the part of both children and parents; in the freedom of this country with field and wood and running brooks and birds and wild-flowers she passed her early years. As I now recall her in her loving, dutiful, innocent, joyous girl-hood she seems a rare and radiant spirit; and I cannot remember anything wrong she ever did, or an instant when she required parental chastisement. At eleven years of age she united with the Methodist Church. At sixteen she commenced teaching the county district school, at from a dollar to a dollar and a half per week, earning at the same time with her needle more than her school wages. Her faithfulness and success in this humble field opened to her higher positions and she was soon engaged in the large Union school. In 1847, while completing the course in the seminary at Lima, N.Y., she was elected preceptress of the Rock River seminary, then a flourishing institution in northern Illinois. Here she spent five years of most useful and successful work moulding and shaping the character and lives of large classes of young men and women. Among these there have been presidents and professors in colleges; men high in the professions and political life; and women of large culture and usefulness who have ever regarded her with a kind of half worship. On July 11, 1853, she was united in marriage to Moses Pettingil then of Ogden N.Y., and with whom in Nov. 1856, sh removed to Niles. Mr. Pettingil was a man of rare elevation of character and intellectual and business ability. With him she passed thirty happy years, aiding him largely in his business and entering fully into every department of his intellectual and business life. In this relation she sweetly solved on the most difficult problems of human life. I have never seen anything quite so beautiful and perfect as the love and homage with which she was regarded in her home-love and homage which she returned in overflowing measure. But the happy years sped; and on the 3rd of Feb. 1884, her husband peacefully passed away in her loving presence and care in California where they were sojourning for his health. The last five years of Mrs. Pettingil's beautiful life were given in this great sacrifice to restoring a broken and clouded home for her brother Prof. Z. Hurd, of Lima, N.Y. Hither she brought and lavished the wealth of her love and taste and industry, transforming a desolation into a Paradise. During these brief years spent in Lima she drew around herself the people of the town, the teachers and young ladies of the seminary, and especially the poor of his vicinity, who are saying, "The light has gone out of our neighborhood."
Mrs. Pettingil, as all who knew her will attest more strongly than anything in this writing --blended in their character into a harmonious whole all the small elements that go to make up a large and will nigh perfect womanhood--viz., a tireless industry, a wise economy, intellectual strength developed and enriched by extensive reading, strong affection, self giving devotion to the good of others, refinement and polish of manners, unaffected dignity combined with humility, and a personal beauty that did not fade but only grew richer and more commanding with advanced years.
Her peaceful departure in a home where she was loved and adored was the fitting outcome of such a character and life. She has passed into "the Everlasting Mansions"--into fitting companionships. We will not mourn her. Z.H. Niles, Feb. 9, 1894
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Niles Mirror, Wednesday, February 7, 1894, page 5, col. 3, reprinted from Niles Daily Star, Monday, February 5, 1894, page 3, col. 3, microfilm Niles District LibraryMrs. M. Pettingill, widow of the late Moses Pettingill, died at the home of O.W. Coolidge Saturday afternoon. She was an old resident and a lady of fine literary tastes and education. Her illness dates back for a number of years. The funeral occurred from the house at 2 o'clock this afternoon and Rev. J. G. Lowrie, of the Presbyterian church, preached. Interment took place at Silver Brook cemetery, by the side of her husband.