An excerpt taken from "The History of Will County, Illinois" ~ ebook

SARAH J. HOLDEN, daughter of Isaac N. and Rue Ann Reynolds, was born April 11, 1836; she was the second child of a family of ten children, the eldest being a boy; her parents, at the time of her birth, lived on a farm seven miles east of Joliet, in this State (now New Lenox); they were among the very first settlers in Will Co., having located there in 1834; Mrs. Holden's mother was the daughter of the late Abraham Holderman, one of the pioneers of Northern Illinois, having located at Holderman's Grove, in La Salle Co., in 1830. Mrs. Holden being the eldest daughter of the family, much devolved on her, as is usually the case, especially in a new country; and when a mere child she exhibited those traits of industry that were so noticeable in her through life. At the age of 7 years, pieced, with her own hands, a bedquilt, which is now in the possession of the bereaved husband as a relic of her industrious habits in her younger years. At the age of 10, while gathering gum from the wild rosin weed, on the prairie, in company with her younger brother, Joseph S. (now State Senator from Chicago), she was bitten by a rattlesnake, and, being some distance from her home, ere she reached it the virus had developed itself throughout her system. Everything was done that could be to allay the poison; physicians were called, and, after weeks of great suffering, she slowly recovered from the effects of the bite of this most poisonous reptile. She received a good education at the district school and in the academies of Joliet and Plainfield. Mr. Holden can well remember seeing her by the roadside, going to and from school when merely a child, the Holden family living but a few miles from the Reynolds homestead. On Sept. 17, 1855, she married Mr. Charles C. P. Holden, and from that period till the day of her fatal sickness, it was her greatest pleasure to make her home pleasant, and friends around her happy. She always wanted some member of her parents' family included in her household, and, in the spring of 1858, she prevailed upon them to let her younger sister (Birdie) come and live permanently in her family. She loved her home, and very seldom took the usual pleasure-trips that most people enjoy so much. In 1857, she accompanied her husband on a trip to New England and the White Mountains. She liked well enough the trip of a couple of days, to Springfield, Cairo, Dubuque, or some other neighboring city, but did not enjoy long ones. On one occasion, Mr. Holden was going to Cincinnati on business; it was in 1870, and when asked if she would not like to go along, she replied, "No, I will stay at home. Birdie had better go." Again, Mr. Holden proposed to go to Niagara, but Mrs. Holden suggested that she preferred to remain at home, and said, "Take Hattie and Birdie." And so it was at all times. When but a child it had been her greatest delight to aid her mother in her household duties. Long before she was large enough to stand by the side of the table, she would get a chair and stand in that, and by so doing be enabled to wash and wipe her mother's dishes, which otherwise she could not accomplish. She lost a dearly-beloved brother, who died in hospital at Nashville, Tenn., a few days after the hard-fought battle of Stone River, in January, 1863 -- John H. Reynolds, who but a few months before had enlisted in Captain L. P. Holden's company, in the 88th Ill. V. I.; and the following spring, her younger brother, C. C. P. Reynolds, died of scarlet fever. The death of these two brothers seemed a hard blow to her. She had one other brother in the army, Gen. Joseph S., whom she followed with a sister's love until he went with Sherman to the Sea, and then returned in safety to his home. Her eldest brother, Abram H. Reynolds, lived with his family at Wenona, Ill., and it was in the spring of 1867 that word came that his family were severely sick, when by the next train Mrs. Holden was en route for Wenona, and in a few days, when she returned, she brought with her his youngest daughter, then 3 years old, a lovely little girl. She had been named after Mrs. Holden, Sarah J. She had taken such a liking for little Sadie that she prevailed upon the parents to allow her keep the child, and she has ever since remained in the family, Mrs. Holden always taking the greatest pains to properly bring up and educate her. Before her death, she would often speak of Sadie, hoping that she might continue to be a good girl and a blessing to the family. Mrs. Holden was very benevolent, and from time the time she commenced housekeeping until the day of her sickness, she had one or more families whom she was aiding in various ways to make a livelihood, and some of those whom she so befriended, with tears in their eyes, followed her remains to the tomb. Early in March, 1872, she went to visit her parents at New Lenox, as was usual with her several times a year, and whilst at their home, on March 14th, was suddenly prostrated in sickness. She was taken violently sick with purpura hemorrhagica. Dr. Holden, her brother-in-law, who resides at Frankfort, was called immediately to her bedside, and did all that could be done to save her life. Dr. Casey, of Joliet, and Freer, of Chicago, were also called in consultation. For four months she lay at the point of death. Her mother and sisters Hattie, Birdie and Lottie (who came from Iowa on purpose to minister to her), were constantly in attendance, as was also her sister-in-law, Caroline P. Holden, for a large portion of the time; and her husband attributes the saving of her life at that time to the extraordinary care and attention that she received from those above mentioned and others; he believes if it had not been for Dr. Holden she could not have survived that first attack. In July, a change took place, and she slowly began to recover; and, on Oct. 12, had so far recovered as to be enabled to once more look upon her own home; and never was mortal more happy at the result than was Mr. Holden. But, sad to say, she was not fully restored to health; it was only partial, and that but temporary. She had several severe attacks during the winter of 1873, the disease having assumed another character, and now appeared in disease of the bladder. In the month of April, she expressed much anxiety for the health of her sister, Birdie, whose constitution she feared was giving away, caused by over-watchfulness and care upon her during her long sickness; and an opportunity having presented itself by which Rowena (Birdie) could take a trip with her brother, Joseph S. Reynolds, to Europe, Mrs. Holden urged that she should do so; "for," she said, "it will, in all probability, save Birdie's life, and her absence will have no effect as to the final result with myself." Birdie left Chicago for this trip May 7, 1873, in company with her brother, her sister Hattie immediately taking her place until her return. It was a sad parting, the two sisters, who had been so closely allied together for more than fifteen years, now to separate, and probably forever. In July, she commenced rapidly to fail; her mother and sister Hattie were constantly with her to alleviate her suffering as best they could. She gradually grew weaker, and, on Friday, July 25, at about 3 o'clock P. M., she called her husband to her bedside, when she said to him, "Charles, I cannot live but a little while. God has forgiven my sins, and I am ready to die." She then made various bequests -- to her sister Birdie she gave her diamond ring and many other articles of great value and usefulness; to her sister Hattie she gave her watch and chain; also a heavy plain ring, together with other articles; to her sister Lottie she gave her pearl and jet jewelry; to her mother, her sister-in-law Caroline (Dr. Holden's wife), her niece, Sadie, and others, she gave beautiful presents. While making these bequests, she suddenly stopped and said, "Charles, what shall I give you?" Thinking for a moment, she said, "Oh, I will give you my books." As she had quite a collection of valuable works, and knowing her husband's fondness for their library, no doubt flashed across her mind when she made this valuable gift. Mr. Holden asked her what disposition she wished to make of her silverware -- for she had a large quantity -- her reply was, "Oh, you will need it." She had, at different times, brought money into the family, but, above all, had brought to her husband's aid, for more than seventeen years, her advice, which was to him, of inestimable value. Soon after this conversation, she relapsed into a weak stupor, but was perfectly concious when aroused, and during the night repeatedly assured those caring for her of her trust in the Savior. Toward morning she was suffering very much, and as her mother was bending over her, in deep grief, the husband said, "Sarah, do you know your mother?" when, quickly looking up, she replied, "Why, bless your heart, yes." The Messenger came at 10:25 A. M., July 26, and then passed away one of the noblest and best women that ever adorned a household.

"Forever shall she be in praise,
Named softly as the household name
Of one whom God has taken."

Her father and mother are still living. Her brother, Abram H., married Martha Link, and they have five children living; Sarah, his second daughter, has been adopted by Mr. Holden. Her brothers, Isaac, William and Gen. Joseph S., are still living, as also her sisters, Harriet A., Charlotte E., and Rowena P.; the latter is a member of Mr. Holden's family.

~~~~

From the Chicago Evening Journal, July 29, 1873.

This forenoon, at 11 o'clock, the relatives and friends of C. C. P. Holden, Esq., assembled at his residence, No. 323 West Monroe street, for the purpose of uniting with him in paying the last earthly tribute of respect to his wife, deceased on Saturday, last. It will be remembered by the readers of the Journal, that early in the spring of 1872, Mrs. Holden, while on a visit to her parents at New Lennox, Will Co., in this State, was taken violently sick with purpura hemorrhagica, and for many months was not expected to live, but finally a change took place, and in the following October she so far recovered as to be able to be brought home. She gained steadily until the middle of December, when she was again prostrated by severe sickness. From this attack she partially recovered in the months of March and April, but in the month of May she was again attacked with more severity than ever, resulting in her death, as stated. The deceased was a few months of 37 years of age, and was married to Mr. Holden on Sept. 17, 1855; she was the daughter of Issac N. and Rue Ann Reynolds, upon whose farm, in Will Co., she was born; she was a granddaughter of the late Abraham Holderman, who was one of the original pioneers of Northern Illinois, having settled at Holderman's Grove, La Salle Co., in 1831. Mrs. Holden was a woman of most amiable disposition and great kindness of heart. Her manners were very engaging, and all who knew her were won by the kindness which always illuminated her face with its attractiveness. She was eminently domestic in all her tastes, finding the happiness of her life in her family, and studying to make home attractive, and those she loved happy. During her entire and most distressing illness, she constantly exhibited a childlike trust in God and submission to His will that most beautifully illustrated the consolations afforded by a religious faith. Only the day before her death, she called her friends about her, assured them of her trust in the Savior, her belief that she could not live, her readiness to die, and then passed away in the hope of a blessed immortality. Mr. Holden in his deep affliction, has the heartfelt sympathy of an extended circle of friends, as was attested by the large number present at the funeral services this morning. Among the prominent citizens present were Hon. L. L. Bond, Samuel Hoard, E. F. Runyan, Alderman Wilce, ex-Alderman Daggy and Salisbury, E. S. Albro, Alderman Bateham, and C. N. Holden. The house was filled to overflowing with friends of the family, all desirous of viewing the face of the "dear departed," ere her remains should be laid away forever in the silent tomb. In the center of the front parlor stood the elegant metallic casket in which reposed the remains of the deceased lady. The casket was beautifully adorned with flowers and sprigs of evergreens, and at the foot stood a small harp encircled by flowers of sweetest fragrance. On the top of the burial case, surrounded by a wreath of white roses, there was a silver plate bearing the following inscription: Sarah J. Holden. Died July 26, 1873, aged 37 years 3 months and 15 days." Around the casket containing the sacred clay were gathered the husband, child, father, mother, brother, and several other relatives of the deceased. The solemn and impressive ceremonies were opened with music, a portion of the choir of the Second Baptist Church singing a plaintive dirge, with organ accompaniment. After the singing, Rev. T. W. Goodspeed, of the same Church, read a portion of Scripture from the eighth chapter of Romans. He then proceeded to make some very appropriate and touching remarks, setting forth the more prominent characteristics of the deceased, mentioning several interesting incidents of her illness, and her religious experience, etc. He spoke from a personal acquaintance with the departed one, of her amiability and many virtues. At the close of his address, the choir sang the well-known hymn commencing: "Sister, thou wast mild and lovely." At the conclusion of this exercise, Rev. E. S. Osgood, D.D., an old and intimate friend of the Holden family, made a few remarks appropriate to the occasion, and then the friends took a final look at the face of the deceased, and amid sobs and tears which told of the heavy sorrow resting upon many hearts, the casket was closed and borne to the waiting hearse, Messrs. Aldermen Wilce and Bateham, E. S. Albro, Prof. Palmer, J. T. Little and David Cole acting as the pallbearers. A long line of carriages was then formed, and the funeral cortege slowly wended its way to Rosehill Cemetery, where the remains were deposited in a vault.

LINES ON THE DEATH OF MRS. C. C. P. HOLDEN.

O, weary, suffering one,
How sweet must be the blessed hour of rest !
Life's labors ended, duties nobly done,
The tired hands folded on the peaceful breast,
No more life's road by weary feet is trod;
She rests in peace -- the perfect peace of God,
That passeth understanding -- all the strife,
The conflict, ended, and the crown of life
And victory is won.

We will not call her dead --
Only passed on a little while before us;
Though very bitter are the tears we shed,
And dark the clouds of sorrow brooding o'er us,
A light comes through the open gates of Heaven,
Glimpses of Glory to our souls are given;
The still, small voice, calming the troubled deep,
Whispers -- "He giveth His beloved sleep;"
And we are comforted.

Passed from our longing sight,
Like stars at dawn of day -- not dead, but risen,
Ascended to the morning-land of light;
Like a glad bird escaping from its prison,
The soul has found its wings, and soars on high,
Throwing the worn-out mortal garments by --
Borne by the Angels, to the realms of day,
Where God Himself shall wipe all tears away,
And there is no more night.

The tears of sorrow shed
Are not for her, our beautiful departed;
But for ourselves we mourn uncomforted,
Left desolated, alone and broken-hearted,
And longing with unutterable pain
To hear the sweet and loving voice again.
The dear companionship of love to share
That once made life so beautiful and fair;
What bitter grief to know the holy light
Of loving eyes no more will bless our sight !
Alone life's path to tread.

Alone and desolate,
But not forsaken. Love can never perish;
The faithful dove cannot forget her mate,
Nor cease Love's holy memories to cherish.
The faithful friend, the gentle, loving wife,
The brightest jewel in the crown of life --
O Love ! most precious gift to mortals given,
Gone, but not lost, -- to be restored in Heaven --
For this we pray and wait !

By Louesa Sanger.