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- Rhoda Ann Stowell Prouty Clement - December 21, 1838 - October 21, 1934. Daughter of Samuel Draper and Esther Potter Stowell. Wife of John W. Prouty (married June 19, 1866 at Orwell, New York) & Daniel J. Clement (married about 1878.) [Notes: John Prouty was born March 3, 1839, a son of Allen Dunlap and Maria Prouty. John died January 22, 1875 in Albion Township, Oswego County, New York, and is buried in Riverside Cemetery at Altmar, New York.]
Newspaper Obituary - Wednesday, October 31, 1934 Pulaski Democrat - Pulaski, New York - Mrs. Rhoda Ann Clement, who passed away at her daughter's home, Mrs. Nellie Clement, Orwell, Sunday evening, October 21, 1934, would have been December 21, within four years of reaching the century mark. There was no death, the poor, worn material form fell asleep in Jesus. Her illness was short, without hardly a pause between her activities here and her entrance into the life of effulgent glory in the city of God. Reverence for the aged is emphasized in the Bible, and it reminds us that the city of the future, redeemed and purified “old men and old women shall dwell in the streets thereof, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.” It is the wisdom, judgment and experience of those, who have reached maturity of years, that furnish the ballast that keeps the ship from sinking in the day of the storm. She was born on a farm near Castor Corners, town of Orwell, December 21, 1838, but at the age of eight moved to the farm on which she resided for many years, and where she passed away. Her parents, Samuel D. and Esther Potter Stowell were among the pioneers of the town, who contributed largely to the social and religious life of the community. They carried with them, from their New England home, not only physical energy but also the best traditions of their ancestors who for conscience sake left their native home for the wilds of the new world. Her great-grandfather, Samuel, fought under George Washington, and endured hardship, to make the colonies independent and free. Pioneer days were days of privation and scarcity of food. The Stowell’s came to Orwell prior to a cold season often referred to by the early settlers, when they had a frost every month in the year. The fare was slim, and the cold winter months often exhausted their supplies. Mrs. Clement used to speak of the spring of 1817, when famine was knocking at the door of the pioneer’s cabin. “In some manner,” said she, “my grandfather managed to get hold of some corn and we were having bread when the other neighbors had none. Those were days the children of this period know nothing about. Talk about hard times now, those were the days when people just had to go without, for there was nothing more to be had.” Her early life was devoted to the profession of teaching. Owing to their proficiency, she received the highest remuneration ever paid up to that time in Orwell. She had the instructive mind, the gift of imparting knowledge to her scholars. Her first experience as teacher was in Chateaugay, often pronounced “Shatagee”, the name originated with a teacher, Elliott Eastman, who had a flair for high-end unusual names, thus he called the first settlement on the hill Pekin, and the village known as Orwell he christened Moscow. The teachers of the early days were kept poor and often humble as their stipend seldom exceeded $1.50 per week, the boarding ‘round. The Hon John J. Hollis was a contemporary teacher of that period and many are the amusing stories told of the long ago when Professor Hollis and Preceptress Clement, where teaching the essentials of learning to the boys and girls of their hometown. She was married to John Prouty in 1865. From this union three children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The husband passed away in 1874. In 1878 she became the wife of Daniel Clement of Altmar. Surviving include one son, Walter Prouty, Altmar and one daughter, Mrs. Walter Clement, Taberg; one brother, N. S. Stowell, Orwell; seven grandchildren and the same number of great-grandchildren. Memorial service was held at her late home Thursday, October 25 at 2 p.m., Revs. H. H. Barnard of the Orwell church and T. T. Davies of Sandy Creek officiating. Interment in Evergreen cemetery. A large concourse of mourning relatives and friends being present. The wreath of fragrant flowers spoken presently of the ones so universally loved and of whom it could be said, “She fought a good fight, she kept the faith, and finished her course,” and left the world better than she found it. Despite her long life, her interest in her surroundings and present-day problems did not flag. Her attitude was not that of the pessimist, who mourns the passing of the good old days of the fathers. She lived in the present, loved the beautiful everywhere, smiled with children, enjoyed the friendship of youth and entered heartily into the activities of the twentieth century. She believed in the spiritual value of the church and rendered faithful service to the church of her choice for many years. She believed in evangelizing the world and gave time and money to create a missionary spirit in her own community. She believed in social contacts, which were expressed in her devotion to Orwell Grange No. 66, of which she had been a loyal member for well-high half a century. On her 94th birthday a reception in her honor was extended her by members of the Missionary society at the home of Mrs. Charles Delong. A report referring to that occasion spoke of the good health and spirits enjoyed by her, nimble of foot, Bright of mind and hopeful of spirit. That week in the absence of her daughter-in-law, she got dinner for herself and her brother, and baked a batch of delicious homemade bread. Like Moses of old, “her eye was not dim, nor her natural force abated,” though she had lived to see the inventions and discoveries of the most remarkable century known to man. “Mark the perfect and behold the righteous, for the end of that woman is peace.” She lived to serve, to love and to bless the world. She was not old, she couldn't be old, She kept her spirit young; Her heart was warm and pleasant words Were ever on her tongue. She was not old, though friends of yore Had left her now alone, She faced the sunshine as she walked And did not weep or moan. She was not old, she couldn't be old, She learned to laugh and smile; She saw the good in everything And love to the things worthwhile. The present day brought her delight, And thoughts of long ago; Her gladsome life was lived to bless To serve, to help, to grow. -T.T.D.
Mrs. Rhoda-Ann. Clement-passed away in her sleep Sunday evening, Octpber 21, 1934 at 7 o'clock after a brief illness of two days. She was born in the town of Orwell December 21, 1838, a daughter of Samuel D. and Esther Potter Sto well Her father was one of the early settlers here, and a, direct descendant of the Samuel Stowell who was in Washington's army during the Revolutionary War. Rhoda Ann Stowell was married to John Prouty in 1865. Three children were born to them one of whom died in infancy. Mr. Prouty died in 1874. His widow taught school until 1878 when she became the wife of Daniel Clement of Altmar. Thirty-eight years ago Mr. and Mrs. Clement moved to the farm in Orwell that was formerly owned by Mrs. Clement's father, where Mr. Clement died after a few years. This was the home where the last 38 years of Mrs. Clement's life was passed. Mrs. Rhoda A. Clement's advanced age did not lessen her alertness in current affairs, and her kindly interest in people of the community, both young and old, was well known. She was a memb er of the Congregational church Orwell, the Women's Home Misionary Society, and had been a member of Orwell Grange No. 66, forty-four years. Her survivors include one son, Walter Prouty, Attmar one danghter, Mrs. Walter. Clement, Taberg; one half-brother, N. S. Stowell, Orwell; seven grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren. Funeral services were held in the home Thursday afternoon at two o'clock, with Rev. H. H. Barnard of the Orwell church, assisted by Rev. T. T. Davies of Sandy Creek Congregational church. Burial was in Evergreen cemetery. source - Sandy Creek News
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1838 - 1934 (95 years)
d. 9 Aug 1903 (Age 70 years)