Sarah Elizabeth Collins was born in Warren county, Indiana, November 11, 1836, and died April 18, 1919, of cerebro-hemorrhage at the home of her daughter, Mrs. H. M. Dorland, Copeco, California, at the age of 82 years, 5 months and 7 days.

She was the daughter of Dr. Thos. Collins who, with his family, moved to Iowa, where Sarah grew to womanhood, and was married to Henry H. Elder, who preceded her in death eight years ago.

Henry H. Elder, before his marriage to Sarah E. Collins, crossed the plains to California in 1854, and spent some time mining near Yreka, marriage in the homeland, the Elder family came to California, where they lived a number of years.

They came to Centralia, Washington, in 1891, and resided a term of years on a farm in Salzer valley and later lived in Centralia, where Mr. Elder died.

Mrs. Elder was the mother of eight children: Mrs. S. T. Bissell, Portland, Oregon; Mrs. C. W. Flaiz, Singapore, Malay Peninsula; W. C. Elder, Fort Dodge, Iowa; H. F. Elder, Washington, Kansas; Mrs. H. M. Dorland, Copco, California; Miss Anna Elder, Bend, Oregon; F. H. Elder, Los Altos, California and C. S. Elder, Bend, Oregon. Five of these were present during her last illness.

She was a loving mother, a faithful wife and possessed a most notable character. She will be sadly missed by her children and a host of friends. She was a devoted Christian from her early youth and gave much time to Bible study, having read her Bible through six times during the last years of her life.

Her life was a noble example for all who knew her. She had thirty-two grandchildren.

Her remains were taken to Centralia, Washington, and laid to rest beside those of her husband. The funeral services were held at Newell's undertaking parlors, where a beautiful sermon was rendered by Elder Tupper, of the Adventist church, and was largely attended by old-time friends and relatives, who presented many beautiful floral tributes.

Source: Centralia Daily Chronicle, 14 May 1919 page 5.

Transcribed by Diana Smith. She has no further information on this individual.

Editor's note: Sarah E. (Collins) Elder is buried next to her husband, Henry H. Elder at Butterworth's Cemetery (a.k.a. Mountain View Cemetery, Pioneer Section) in Centralia, WA.