An Early Settler
Mrs. E. A VanMeter Came to Black Jack in 1857
(Unknown Source)
In the death of Mrs. E. A. VanMeter Monday morning, another of the early settlers was removed from our midst. But one or two in this immediate vicinity had lived in Kansas for a longer time.
She came to this state with her parents when five years of age and lived here continuously until her death.
After her marriage in 1875, she and Mr. Van Meter lived on the old Kretsinger place until 1891, when they came to Wellsville.
Mrs. VanMeter was an active, energetic woman; as long as her health permitted her to do so she took an intense interest in her work. For many years she conducted, “The Cottage House,” and later assisted in the duties about the VanMeter store, which was known to practically every farmer in the Wellsville trade territory. She was always cheerful and her friends numbered all who knew her.
She was an active worker in everything that was for the good of the community—a strong character whose life was a model one.
For the past eight years she had been an invalid, a sufferer from paralysis. Through all her illness she maintained a cheerful and optimistic spirit, and greeted her friends with a cheery smile or a joke.
Death came quietly.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church Wednesday afternoon. Services were conducted by the Reverend O. K. Hobson, pastor of the Methodist church. Interment was in the Wellsville Cemetery. Members of the American Legion acted as pall bearers.
Ann Elizabeth Kretsinger, daughter of Reverend Samuel and Catherine Kretsinger, was born in Mount Morris, Ogle County, Illinois, June 12, 1852, and departed this life June 2, 1924, aged 71 years, 11 months, 20 days.
She came to Kansas with her parents June 1857—was united in marriage to A. P. VanMeter, October 28, 1875. To this union was born five children, three having died in infancy. She leaves a loving husband, a son Maurice, of Oklahoma City; a daughter, Mrs. Frances Fern Duval, of Tucumcari, New Mexico; and a brother, G. E. Kretsinger, of Baldwin, Kansas; also, ten grandchildren and a host of friends.
She was converted in the year 1879 and united with the United Brethren church at Black Jack, Kansas.
In 1891 she and her husband moved to Wellsville where they joined the (rest of article missing).
