Abraham Daniel Washburn Part 7

Abraham's Death

Brother Washburn died of Bright's disease (Bright's disease is another name for the kidney disease, glomerulonephritis. It is a common cause of kidney failure) at Monroe, Utah, June 17, 1886, and was buried in the Monroe Cemetery. For three successive Sundays after this funeral in sacrament meetings the speakers referred to the splendid life and labors of Abraham Washburn.

B.F. Larsen remembers Abraham:

"Grandpa Abraham Washburn came to our house quite frequently. When he arrived I watched him remove his tall hat. He placed it upside down on a chair or table. I wondered how he managed to carry so many letters and papers in his hat when it was atop his head. Grandpa Abraham often removed his big Prince Albert coat before he sat down in the old rocking chair. He generally called me to his side. Then he put his arms around me and lifted me onto his knees. He sang jolly songs to me and kept time by trotting me up and down on his knees as he sang. When I was a wee babe I was very ill and neighbors and relatives thought that I would surely die. But Grandpa Abraham who was an ordained Patriarch, gave me a very unusual blessing and promised that I would live." (B.F. Larsen, unpublished document, "Many Wonderful People Have Walked the Trail Beside Me)

Tamer's Death

Following Abraham's death. Tamer moved to Nephi to live with her daughter, Susannah Bowles. She lived only three months after Abraham's death, passing away 4 September 1886 in Nephi at age 81. She was buried in the Bowles family plot in the Nephi City Cemetery. Family members have recently placed a new marker there.

Lorena recorded of Tamer:

"Tamer was a social person and usually very optimistic, yet she was capable of very intense feelings. When she was at our home and I but a child, and when I had grown to womanhood she would have me comb her hair each day and as I combed, she would tell me incidents of her past life. She has told me how hard it was for her to live in plural marriage, and that for a long time she was unkind to my mother, although she loved mother and that she prayed often for strength and God finally gave her victory over herself, after that plural marriage ceased to be a trial and my mother had been one other best earthly friends. [She]. . . had a disposition which was a fine blending of many human virtues. . . . She usually looked on the sunny side of life, was a liberal giver and was always thankful for something to give to others." (Lorena Washburn Larsen, unpublished writings on Tamer)

The following poem was written by his daughter Lorena in Monroe, March 17, 1880:

Father - Abraham Washburn

An honest Quaker thou was born
In a beautiful New York town,
The careful training of thy mother dear
Was to thee, a safe-guard in coming years.
When the Pratt brothers came to New York
With the message of truth,
They found a home under thy roof,
They raised up and blessed thee,
And by the help of God
Placed in thy hands the firm iron rod;
Which in thy hands doth still remain
Helping thee a Celestial crown to gain.

Thou was driven from thy beloved Nauvoo, and home,
And left on the plains, with the Saints to roam.
When by your enemies you were oppressed
In these mountain vales, you found a rest,
Where you have reared a family and labored hard
To have them learn the ways of the Lord.
Take courage, still firm remain
Until the wanted goal is attained.
Thou hast been true to the cause of right,
Look forward, the prize is now in sight.
Thank heaven thou art still alive
And thy years number seventy five.
May thy children now be loving and kind,
And take life's cares from thy heart and mind.
Provide thee food, and raiment too,
And do all the good we can for you.

Thou has been a father faithful and kind,
In training our young tender minds
In the ways of truth and righteousness.
We rise up now, and call thee blessed,
Thou hast worked from morn, until late at evening
Our many wants to relieve.
And if dark clouds hang over thee now,
We will endeavor to banish them from thy brow,
That a ray of heavenly light may shine upon thee,
From the presence of Him who is divine.
That thy future may be contentment and peace,
Until thou art from all trials released.

Then in heaven thou shalt be blessed
And enter in to eternal rest.
The Lord will say unto thee, my son
The battle of life thou hast won,
Enter ye into rest, with me sit down
And receive your well-earned Celestial crown.
Thou hast been faithful in serving me
And I have prepared for thee a jubilee.

--Lorena
Monroe, March 17, 1880