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Show A year after losing Nellie Louise, Josephine had her eighth baby girl, Minnie Jeanette, and in 1894, Rachel Rebecca, and in 1899, Marguerita. In 1897 Joseph records the grand reunion, which was the only time he was able to have all his children and grandchildren together. They met at William and Josephine's home. Joseph had gone back to England as a missionary after his wife Harriet died. Then after his return in 1886 he married a dear lady by the name of Sarah Stone. Joseph told his family that he had kept a diary since the time he had joined the Church and had recorded the things of worth dear to his heart. He said he wanted them to read these things. It was a time of rejoicing. MORE SORROW—Shortly after the birth of her last child, Freeda Virginia, Josephine became very ill. The years of hard work and child bearing with the strain of mental fatigue had left their mark on her. Her pain and discomfort was so intense that her mind was affected to the extent that she hardly knew anyone at times. The doctor felt that her condition was so bad that a complete rest away from home was necessary. The Elders were called in for a blessing, but the Lord knows best for all his children, and the prayers of loved ones when the Lord calls his children home Morgan Pioneer History Binds Us Together can do little more than bring consolation to those left behind. In spite of all that could be done for her, Josephine passed away on August 26, 1901, in the hospital at Provo, after an illness of two months. She was forty-three years old. The loss of his beloved wife Josephine was a hard blow to William With a large family to care for, he missed her guiding hands that were always there the guide his family and to keep his home in order. William bore his grief as best he could. His daughter, Julia, now nineteen, and the other older girls took over the chores. William O., twenty-two years old, helped with the farm and William's father and stepmother lent their aid, and soon he was able to adjust himself to the thought that he must carry on and endure his sorrow. His daughter, Harriet, wrote that her (great) "Aunt Eliza Spendlove helped us with the funeral. She had always been a good neighbor, friend and confidante and helper to my mother before her death. I had to stay home and take care of the younger children that day." Harriet was fifteen years old at the time. Josephine's funeral was held in the Milton meeting house. She was buried in the Littleton Cemetery beside her three little girls. Her original stone had only the initials J.R.S. 191 |