Mary Fisk Steadman

Wife of Rev. Darius S. Steadman

MRS. D. S. STEADMAN. Mary Fisk, daughter of David and Mary Fisk, was born at Ellington, N. Y., Aug. 14, 1833, and entered into the heavenly rest, at Meadville, Pa., Jan. 20, 1912. She was united in marriage with Darius S. Steadman, Nov. 17, 1854. Three children came to bless the happy union, one of whom, Alice, died in infancy. Two daughters - Mrs. Burnette Sherwood, of Union City, Pa., and Mrs. Dr. George D. Thomas, of Meadville, Pa., and one sister, Mrs. John Butchinson, of Forestville, N.  Y., remain to mourn her loss. A brief service was held at the home of Dr. Thomas, upon which occasion Bishop J. M. Thoburn. G. R. Williamson, pastor of First Church, and H. R. Sheffield, of Chicora, took part. The body was then taken to Union City, where a deeply impressive service was held under the direction of H. B. Potter, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sherwood. and she was laid by the side of her husband in the beautiful "God's Acre.’’ After his call to the Holy City of God, Sister Steadman seldom left her home -- only going to Union City to spend the summer and returning to Meadville in the late autumn. Her last return found her very feeble, and she soon took to bed. The weary traveler was nearing home on the nineteenth of January, in the quiet of the evening hour, she fell asleep, and the next morning opened her eves upon scenes of celestial beauty and glory. She had often expressed a longing to depart and be with Christ and enjoy the companionship of the glorified saints. For several weeks it was a constant struggle to keep her, and as the end drew nigh she would say to the Doctor: “Why don’t you let me go? Oh, the meeting will be so joyful!” Thus she took her flight. The angels sang. Through the tears of those who wept a rainbow was revealed, Mrs. Steadman was a choice woman. Her face showed a happy nature, her conversation an unusually clear mind, her acquaintance ship an amiable disposition. Her home was a paradise, her heart a garden in which the flower of the affections, beautiful and fragrant, was in perpetual bloom. Her devotion and loyalty as wife and mother, were beautiful. Her strong attachment to her church, its services. doctrines and polity, was intelligent and pronounced. For the triumph of every good cause she ever labored and prayed. She became a power for good in every church with which she was connected and every community in which she lived. She loved the word of God, studied it, lived it. Her faith was simple and unwavering. A good woman, a Christian indeed—she did her work and did it well; her children rise up and call her blessed. They know where to find her.

By J. N. Fradenburgh, Memoirs of Deceased Wives of Ministers, Journal and Yearbook, Erie Conference, 1912, pages 121-122