 1854 - 1886 (31 years)
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| Name |
Emma Carpenter |
| Born |
15 May 1854 |
Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania  |
| Gender |
Female |
| Died |
28 Jan 1886 |
Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania |
| Person ID |
I272008484877 |
Eby/Aebi and Bernethy Family |
| Last Modified |
5 Jun 2013 |
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| Notes |
- The subject of these memorial tributes ? Emma Forney
Eby ? was the daughter of D. Carpenter and Catharine
Keinhard Forney. She was born May 15, 1854, at Lebanon,
Pennsylvania. When seven years old her parents moved to
Washington City, D. C, where her father shortly thereafter
engaged in journalism, as the publisher of the " Daily and
Sunday Morning Chronicle," under the editorial control and
ownership of Col. John W. Forney. Her preparatory educa-
tion was in several of the private schools of that city, and was completed at the Fulford Female Seminary, Sandy
Springs, Montgomery county, Md., under the management
and tutorage of James S. Hallo well, widely and deservedly
known as one of the most successful schools in the country.
Apart from Mr. Hallowell's practical mode of teaching, the
Quaker influences of the village in which the school was
located, it being a Quaker settlement, and he a prominent
Quaker, had much to do in directing the natural, refined
instincts of Mrs. Eby, which, in after life, gave such prominence to her beautiful character, and to which Mr. Hallowell and others, whose letters of condolence are printed in these pages, so touchingly refer.
After finishing her education she returned to her home in
Washington, where her life became rather an exception to
the gayeties of society at the National Capital. Her father's position offered her many opportunities to social distinction, and for a time she entered into some of its gayeties ; was greatly admired for her personal beauty and gracefulness of manners, but neither of these influences were ever strong enough to interfere with her inherent Christian inclinations. She preferred the more substantial and lasting of home associations and the influences of the church. She, therefore, became a member of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, under the pastorate of Eev. S. S. Mitchell, between whom and this young communicant there
was formed the strongest Christian attachment, lasting until the hour of her death. On March 16, 1877, Dr. Mitchell united her in marriage to W. Howard Eby, of llarrisburg, Pennsylvania. She was married in the church where her profession of Christian faith was made, attended by all the happy and promising auspices which fond parents and loving friends could possibly contribute. No daughter was ever given in marriage more lovingly and with more prayerful desires and hopes for a long life of happiness and prosperity; no bride ever left home under more hearty congratulations than she. During her residence at Harrisburg, covering a period of nearly nine years, she was an active worker in the Pine Street Presbyterian Church of that city, a diligent teacher in its Sabbath-school, as well as an earnest worker in many other societies appertaining to that church. She was president of the Ladies' Musical Club, and a member of other social singing associations in that city. She possessed rare musical taste, and gave early encouragement to her instinctive talent for it, preferring and cultivating vocal music
of the highest and most critical character ; remarkably gifted with a sweet soprano voice, full of sympathy and pathos, which at times was capable of awakening the tenderest emotions, as was frequently attested by her friends, both in Harrisburg and Washington City, to many of whom its endearing echoes will long be associated with her sweet memory. Of her many other qualities of heart and mind, exemplified in the Christian work she so cheerfully accepted and faithfully performed in the city of her adoption, where she won the esteem and respect of all classes, rich and poor, as well as Christians of every denomination, it is left to be told in the tributes paid to her memory in these after pas:es.
At Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1886, with
scarcely a moment's warning, her young soul winged its way
from earth to heaven. Mrs. Eby had never been from early
childhood of robust health, although possessed with an
indomitable will and perseverance more than her physical
strength could endure.
The particulars of her death are best stated by one of the
Harrisburg papers the morning after it occurred, as follows:
" The most sudden death that has occurred in this city for along time was that of Mrs. W. H. Eby. The first announcement of the sad occurrence was discredited, and those who had seen the lady in full health and spirits early in the day, were only convinced of the stern reality by a visit to her residence. The particulars of the
sudden demise require but few words. It was a few moments before one o'clock and Mr. Eby had returned from his office and handed a letter to his wife, which she read. She had hardly finished when she passed her hand over her forehead and suddenly fell forward.
Mr. Eby, seeing his wife was rapidly sinking, sent for a physician. It was of no avail, however, as the spark of life had fled. The exact cause of death is largely a matter of conjecture, but it is believed to have been paralysis of the brain, the result of the bursting of a blood vessel."
The cause of her death as here stated was confirmed by
her attending physicians to the entire satisfaction of her
parents and friends. As can well be imagined the sudden
death of so estimable a lady was not only a shock to her
immediate circle of friends and acquaintances at her home
and elsewhere, but it cast a gloom over the entire commu-
nity in which she lived.
The funeral of Emma Forney-Eby took place the Monday
following her demise, February 1st, at the Pine Street Presbyterian Church, the Rev. George S. Chambers officiating.
The congregation was one of the largest ever assembled
there, being composed of members of different denomi-
nations of ITarrisburg, "Washington, D. C, Philadelphia,
Lancaster and Lebanon, who showed by their presence the
high religious esteem in which Mrs . Eby was held. The pallbearers were Messrs. J. W. Greenland, Luther Kelker, Dr. C. Westbrook, Harry Boas, T. T. Weirman, Jr., and Joshua Gross ; and when they entered the church with the casket, covered with beautiful floral tributes, the large congregation arose and remained standing until it was placed upon the bier in front of the pulpit. As the pall-bearers proceeded down the aisle, followed by the bereaved family and immediate friends, the pastor read the solemn words of the burial service, "I am the resurrection and the life," &c. Then a quartette, consisting of Mrs. E. Z. Gross, Miss M. B. Mowry, and Messrs. E. Z.
and George Gross, sang the hymn beginning?
Beyond the smiling and the weeping
I shall be soon !
Beyond the waking and the sleeping,
Beyond the sowing and the reaping,
I shall be soon !
Love, rest and home ?
Sweet hope ! Lord, tarry not, but come !
Beyond the blooming and the fading,
I shall be soon ;
Beyond the shining and the shading
Beyond the hoping and the dreading,
I shall be soon ;
Love, rest and home ?
Sweet hope ! Lord, tarry not, but come !
Never were these lines sung with more impressive effect,
as was evidenced by the breathless and solemn silence which
pervaded the large congregation present. With many their
encouraging words will linger as the sweetest remembrance
of her who now rejoices in the fullness of the heavenly "love, rest and home."
Dr. Chambers followed with the Scripture lesson and then
delivered the following address : ....
......
After the close of this hymn the congregation was dis-
missed with the benediction. The remains were then borne
from the church, and the funeral party were driven to the
Philadelphia and Reading depot. A private car was in readi-
ness to take them to Lebanon, the place of final interment,
where they arrived at 2.50 P. M. Dr. Chambers and Rev.
A. H. Stuclebaker accompanied the funeral party.
A large number of friends received the funeral party at
the depot, and followed the remains to St. John's Reformed
Church, where another service was held. As the remains
were borne up the aisle of the church, Rev. A. H. Stude-
baker, of Harrisburg, repeated the words of the burial ser-
vice, and then read from the pulpit the Scripture lesson.
After appropriate singing by the choir, the Rev. Thos. S.
Johnson, D. D., of Lebanon, delivered the following ser-
mon. Having known the deceased in her childhood, his
beautiful words were all the more appropriate to the sad
occasion.
- The following extracts are taken from some few of the
notices which appeared in the Harrisburg, Pa., papers, and
in those in other localities where the -deceased was known
and beloved :
SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. EBY.
A WELL-KNOWN LADY SUDDENLY EXPIRES WHILE SITTING WITH HER
HUSBAND.
[From Harrisburg {Pa.) Evening Telegraph, January 28, i886.~\
Mrs. Emma Forney-Eby, wife of Wra. Howard Eby, Esq., the
well-known coal dealer, died suddenly at their apartment on Second street, near the Bolton House, at 1 o'clock to-day, of paralysis of the brain. Mrs. Eby was at the Bolton House this morning for breakfast, and it was remarked that she was unusually lively and full of spirits. About half-past twelve o' clock this afternoon she was sitting at the front window looking out on Second street, reading a letter,
her husband sitting near her. Suddenly she complained of a most severe pain in her head, which did not cease on the application of remedies, but continued to grow worse and worse. Mr. Eby hurriedly summoned physicians and Dr. Rahter was the first to arrive.
Mrs. Eby at that time was breathing but faintly and was evidently in the death agonies. Drs. Orth and Coover soon afterward reached the house, but Mrs. Eby was dead at five minutes of one o'clock.
Mrs. Eby was Miss Emma Forney, of Washington, D. C, and a
daughter of D. C. Forney, Esq., formerly publisher of the Washington Chronicle. She was married in that city about eight years ago, the event being a memorable one in society circles. In Harrisburg she was known as a most lovable woman and affectionate wife, with a host of friends, every one of whom loved and respected her. Deceased was a member of the Pine Street Presbyterian Church and taught a class in that Sunday-school. She was a lady of rare musical ability, and at the Thursday Club concert a week
ago she was the principal solo singer. She was prominent in society circles, and a lady of very engaging manner. The announcement of her death was a severe shock to her friends, many of whom doubted the news until a call at the residence confirmed the sad tidings. Grief was manifest on every countenance, and there has not been a death in Harrisburg for a long time that has occasioned so much regret and sorrow.
SUDDEN SAD DEATH.
The Harrisburg (Pa.) Evening Independent of January 28,
1886, after giving full particulars of Mrs. Eby's sudden death, and the shock it had on the community, said of the deceased :
Mrs. Eby was the wife of W. H. Eby, and the eldest daughter of D. C. Forney, of Washington City. She was born in Lebanon, her mother being a daughter of the late Joseph Reinhard, of that city. She was highly educated, accomplished and endowed with brilliant social qualities. No pains were spared by her parents in fitting her for life's duties, as well as pleasures, and she had a place
in the society of the national capital which she adorned even at her girlhood with a grace and winsome charm which won her admirers among old and young. Though her married life was short, it was full of endearment and beauty, present pleasure and inspiring hope for the future, for which a magnificent home was fast approaching completion, over the portals of which the young wife will never pass. Mr. Eby has the sympathy of the entire community in his
crushing bereavement.
From the Morning Call, Harrisburg, Pa., January 2g, i886.~\
The Call, in an article on the deceased, said :
She was a woman of rare attainments and in the circle in which she moved a great favorite. Vivacious of spirit, handsome of face and form, and engaging in manners, she was a person to be idolized not only in the home circle but out of it as well. She was the daughter of D. Carpenter Forney, of Washington, at whose house she was made the wife of Mr. Eby about eight years ago. During her life in this city she endeared herself in the hearts of her friends, all of whom feel that in her death they have lost one who was more
to them than simply an acquaintance or friend. Besides being highly educated, cultured and refined, she was possessed of a voice of rare beauty and ranked high as a vocalist ; was an ardent lover of the art, and paid considerable attention to its developments.
She was one of the shining lights of the Thursday Club and took a very active part in its soiree.
- A TRIBUTE OF A FRIEND TO THE MEMORY OF A FRIEND.
The following beautiful tribute to the memory of the
deceased was written by a friend who had great admiration
for her musical ability, and published in the Harrisburg
(Pa.) Morning Gall, February 4th, 1886 :
"Good-bye, summer! Good-bye, good-bye!"
The pathetic melody of Tosti's Aria, which fell on the ears of many at the late "Thursday Concert," brings the memory of the past summer to the friends of Mrs. Wm. H. Eby. We recall her winning smile, her sweet graciousness of manner, her bright, merry salutation ; all are fresh as the perfume of summer roses. She gaily tossed a friend in passing her widow ?
" Good-bye, summer ! Good-bye, good-bye !
Shadows rising on you and me ! "
Hidden away on that memorable evening, when replete with life and health, she warbled her " song. ' ' Concealed in silken drapery, peeping out from gay buds and smooth-leaved smilax, was the "shadow" of death.
She stood among the many yet alone ; for the Master marked her for his own, and said, "I will call thee my child ; " laid His hand upon her brow, and she arose and followed Him.
Without wasting sickness, without visible pain, in all her sweet, womanly beauty she went to the eternal summer-land, where there is neither winter nor night.
" What are we waiting for ! "
Only for His call. Happy, then, for us, as itjwas for her, that we need follow Saoli Tosti's song no farther, nor sigh ?
" Good-bye to hope ! Good-bye, good-bye."
Her friends have the comforting assurance of a sweet "hope"
beyond the darkness of the grave, of a long and blissful "summer time " in the land of the blessed. There immortal flowers bloom, and the happy spirits of the loved wait and watch for the coming of those who linger yet a little while upon the earth.
" Sleep soft, beloved ! we sometimes say, But have no power to charm away
Sad dreams.
But never doleful dreams again
Shall break their happy slumbers, when
He giveth his beloved sleep."
Mrs. E. T. Detweiler.
Halifax, Pa., February $d, 1886.
- Of the hundreds of letters of sympathy and condolence re-
ceived from kindred and loving friends from all parts of the country, but a fractional number appear in these pages, for the want of sufficient space as one reason, and because of a desire to preserve as far as possible a certain privacy to the Memorial. To do this, those that are used are confined to the immediate family of the deceased and her most intimate and dear friends.
Lebanon, Pa, January 29, 1886.
My Dear Brother :
My heart bleeds for you in your great affliction. The news of the death of your dear daughter came upon us with crushing sadness. I look around in vain to find some resource of consolation for you in the form of human expression ? there is none ! there is none ! outside of our only refuge, Jesus Christ. Look to Him, lean upon Him, my dear brother, in this hour of your deep sadness, and He will sustain you. Your loss, our loss and the loss
of a circle of friends and companions is the gain of your dear child, who has gone to join the company of the redeemed 111 Heaven. What a welcome is hers from her angel friends on the beautiful shore. Think of the greeting our sainted sister will give her, as well as of that of a host of the departed. All things, we are told, work together
for our good. Let us endeavor to realize the truth of this sacred declaration and look up with abiding hope ? hope, the sheet-anchor of our being in time and in eternity. God bless you and your wife and only remaining child, and pray that He will vouchsafe you all the consolation that He alone can impart My wife, daughter and son join me in blending our sympathy and tears with yours over the loss of your dear daughter Emma.
Your brother truly, Chas. B. Forney.
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