Mrs. M. W. Gear, The La Crosse Tribune, La Cross, Wisconsin, Tuesday, June 27, 1939, page 14:

Mrs. M. W, Gear of Burbank, California formerly of La Cross, passed away at the age of 91 years. She was born in Cassadaga, Chautauqua County, New York, April 4, 1848. She moved to La Cross when six years of age (about 1852) and was married to Mr. Gear October 5, 1864, at Sparta, Wisconsin. Her husband preceded her in death in Glendale, California 16 years ago.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Elsie Sherman of Burbank, California, Mrs. Ella Halik of Oakland, California, and Mrs. Edna Kenyon of San Francisco, California, eleven grandchildren: 17 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Gear had been a resident of California for the past 17 years but made several visits to La Cross during that time. In this city, she was a member of the Methodist church. Up to the time of her death, her mind was remarkably clear and she took an unusual interest in civic affairs. Her ancestry dates back to the Mayflower on her mother's side, the Rev. Henry Smith being the ancestor who came to New England on one of its trips. Mrs. Gear's mother came from Massachusetts to Chautauqua County, New York, and many relatives still reside there.

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Florilla was the daughter of Freeman Richardson and Rebecka (Smith) Richardson. She was born in Cassadaga, Chautauqua, New York, where her father was a farmer owning land there. She was the youngest of six children: Jasper, Matilda, Amanda, Squire, Myra, and herself. The family lived next door to her grandparents, Hill Richardson and Sarah (Lee) Richardson in 1850. Hill served in the War 1812, 55 Reg't (Allen's) New York Militia out of Jefferson County, New York.

Her family moved to Campbell, LaCross, Wisconsin. Her obituary indicated she was six, about 1852. She married Mathew William Gear on 5 Oct 1864, Sparta, Monroe, Wisconsin, when she was 16 years old. She and her husband had three daughters:

1. Elsie Edith, born 1868
2. Ella Myra, born 1870
3. Edna Florilla, born 1881

The 1880 census shows she was working at a mill, when she was about 32 years old, prior to the birth of their third daughter, the following year. Her 70-year-old mother was living with the family. Perhaps her mother was helping with the childcare to allow Florilla to work.

Her obituary indicates she moved to California about 1922. After her husband, Matthew, died in 1923, Florilla lived with her grandchildren Dean P. and Lois V. Livingston in Glendale, California. Later, prior to her death, she moved to Santa Clara, California to be with her daughter Edna Kenyon.