KELSONIAN
Saturday, August 30, 1919
Page 1, Column 4
PIONEER OF COWLITZ VALLEY PASSES AWAY
Mrs. Susannah Laffey one of the pioneer band who ventured forth courageously in 1852 to conquer the west and whose journeyings though desert and wilderness by ox team brought her to the Cowlitz Valley passed away Wednesday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Collins in Portland at the age of 88 years 10 months and 15 days. Since the death of Mr. Laffey about twenty one years ago she has made her home most of the time with her daughter.
Susannah Downing was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan October 11, 1830. She was married to Bernard Laffey in 1851 and with her husband crossed the plains in 1852, stopping in Portland that winter and in the following year they continued on their way to the Cowlitz Valley. They took up a donation land claim north of Kelso on the west side of the river, which is now the Libby and adjoining places. Here they hewed a home out of the wilderness. The old family residence was destroyed by fire several years ago.
Mrs. Laffey had seven children, Mrs. Collins, alone, surviving her. There are seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are Fred Catlin Jr. of Kelso; Mrs. Sarah McAlevy of Hercules, Cal; Mrs. Nellie Sansburn of Colville, Wash., Frank Catlin, Alton, Truman and Grace Collins of Portland.
She was active in the affairs of the Cowlitz community in pioneer days. She joined the Methodist Church when a young girl, was one of the charter members of the Kelso M. E. church and lived a devoted and faithful Christian life. For many years she was closely identified with church undertakings and was one of the organizers of the Kelso W. C. T. U. She retained her health to a remarkable degree in spite of her advanced age until a short time preceding her death.
Funeral services were conducted at Finley Chapel in Portland yesterday afternoon, Rev F. B. Short officiating. Services were held from the Kelso M. E. Church this afternoon by Dr. Edward H. Todd, president of the college of Puget Sound. Interment was made in the family plot in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. (IOOF cemetery now Cowlitz View Memorial)
KELSONIAN
Saturday, August 30, 1919
Page 1, Column 4
PIONEER OF COWLITZ VALLEY PASSES AWAY
Mrs. Susannah Laffey one of the pioneer band who ventured forth courageously in 1852 to conquer the west and whose journeyings though desert and wilderness by ox team brought her to the Cowlitz Valley passed away Wednesday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Collins in Portland at the age of 88 years 10 months and 15 days. Since the death of Mr. Laffey about twenty one years ago she has made her home most of the time with her daughter.
Susannah Downing was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan October 11, 1830. She was married to Bernard Laffey in 1851 and with her husband crossed the plains in 1852, stopping in Portland that winter and in the following year they continued on their way to the Cowlitz Valley. They took up a donation land claim north of Kelso on the west side of the river, which is now the Libby and adjoining places. Here they hewed a home out of the wilderness. The old family residence was destroyed by fire several years ago.
Mrs. Laffey had seven children, Mrs. Collins, alone, surviving her. There are seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The grandchildren are Fred Catlin Jr. of Kelso; Mrs. Sarah McAlevy of Hercules, Cal; Mrs. Nellie Sansburn of Colville, Wash., Frank Catlin, Alton, Truman and Grace Collins of Portland.
She was active in the affairs of the Cowlitz community in pioneer days. She joined the Methodist Church when a young girl, was one of the charter members of the Kelso M. E. church and lived a devoted and faithful Christian life. For many years she was closely identified with church undertakings and was one of the organizers of the Kelso W. C. T. U. She retained her health to a remarkable degree in spite of her advanced age until a short time preceding her death.
Funeral services were conducted at Finley Chapel in Portland yesterday afternoon, Rev F. B. Short officiating. Services were held from the Kelso M. E. Church this afternoon by Dr. Edward H. Todd, president of the college of Puget Sound. Interment was made in the family plot in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. (IOOF cemetery now Cowlitz View Memorial)
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