Maria J. Crowther

(FJW) Married Joshua Crowther sometime after the 1859 death of Joshua's first wife, Sarah (Fieldhouse) Crowther.

New Castle News March 2, 1910

The sudden death of Mrs. Maria J. Crowther. widow of Joshua Crowther, which occurred Tuesday evening, has brought the deepest regret into hundreds of homes in the city in which she was revered and loved. The suddenness with which the death angel came proved a great shock. She had not been in ill health, and was even able to be out yesterday, and for this reason few knew of her passing until Wednesday morning, when the news spread among her many friends.

On Tuesday she had been in her usual health and spirits, and in the evening, ate her dinner as usual. About 8 o’clock she had been standing at a window and when her daughter, Mrs. Clara Crowther, entered the room, she remarked that she did not feel well.

Soon after, she became quite ill, and was assisted to her bed and the family physician was summoned. Despite all that could be done for her, her condition grew worse, and about 9 o’clock the spirit took its flight. Her demise was due to heart trouble, from which she had suffered at intervals during her life.

The close of Mrs. Crowther’s life marks the passing of a member of one of New Castle’s pioneer families, both her maiden and her married name being indissolubly connected with the development of the city. Although a woman of retiring disposition, she had played an active part in many philanthropic works, and was widely interested in many charitable movements in the history of the city.

Mrs. Crowther was 85 years of age February 6, 1910. She was one of the oldest native New Castle women, having been born in this city. Her sister, Mrs. Rachel Morehead, who is 87 years, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest woman in the city who was born here. The deceased was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Wilson) Falls, and was born in the old Falls homestead. With the exception of a few years spent in West Middlesex, and a few years in Pueblo, Col., she had resided in this city during all her long and useful life. Her education was received in the schools of this city in the days before college education had become general, but during all her subsequent life she had been a close student on many subjects, retaining a bright and intelligent interest in the great questions of the day.

She was married in 1860, to Joshua Crowther. one of the pioneer furnace men of the city. It was he who built the old Crowther-Allen furnace, later known as the Reis-Brown-Berger furnace. Shortly after their marriage, they built the Crowther home at 101 North Jefferson street, where she had lived since, and where dissolution occurred. Their marriage was blessed by one child, Mrs. Clara Crowther, who resides at home. In addition to the one daughter, she leaves two sisters, Mrs. Rachel Morehead of East street, and Mrs. S. W. Dana of North Jefferson street. One grandson, Frank Ranney, of this city, survives. Mrs. Thomas H. Falls of North Mill street, is a sister-in-law.

Mrs. Crowther had been a member of the First Presbyterian church since early girlhood, and was one of the oldest members of that congregation, both in years, and in duration of membership. She was a member of a number of church societies, and while still able to engage in active duties of this kind, was one of the most faithful members. Mrs. Crowther had a sunny and charitable nature, possessed of a sweet disposition which endeared her to old and young alike. While she had of late years not engaged in activities outside the home to any extent, she had a wide circle of admiring and loving friends among both older and younger people, who loved to visit her in her home.

Her demise removes from the active circles of the city a woman of most estimable, and one whose beautiful and kindly influence will be missed by many.

The funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the family residence, and interment will be made in Greenwood cemetery.