Laura V. Pendergrast

From a newspaper clipping:

Rossville, Ill., October 14.  The Ladies" Aid Society of the Methodist church met Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Will Cooper, with Mesdames John Byrne and Claude Kelly and Miss Grace Phillips assistant hostesses.  It was the ninety-fifth birthday anniversary of Mrs. Laura V. Pendergrast, who was an honored guest.  Mrs. Mary Wiseman and Mrs. Mary S. Thomas were special guests who range next in age.

Mrs. P.M. Warner paid a touching tribute to Mrs. Pendergrast in a talk and sang one of her mother's favorite songs, "I would not Live Always."  Mrs. Wayne Pruitt made a few remarks also and presented Mrs. Pendergrast with a lovely nose gay of fall flowers and read the song "In the Land Where We Never Grow Old."

Mrs. Pendergrast is one of the first members of the Ladies' Aid society in this parish.  At the close of the meeting she was presented with a card shower.  Forty-three persons were in attendance.

The hostesses served refreshments.  An out-of-town guest was Miss Lara Crays, of Armstrong.  Mrs. G. L. Merritt and Mrs. Dat__ Huffman presented the honored guest with lovely bouquets of flowers.

Her History

Mrs. Laura Virginia Pendergrast oldest resident of Rossville, and community, was born Oct. 11, 1838, near Louisville, KY., a daughter of Samuel and Mary Shilvley Albert.  She was married to Patrick Pendergrast, of Louisville on February 23, 1860, and came to Rossville in 1863 where she still resides.

She is the mother of two children, Austin, of Crestline, California, and Mrs. Susie Smith, of Rossville.  After the death of her husband in January, 1909, she spent one year with her son in California.  Since 1918 she has made her home with her daughter.

Mrs. Pendergrast has ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.  She joined the Methodist church when a small child and was always active in church work until a few years ago.  She was known for her fine needlework. then, a few yeas ago she fell downstairs and this affected her eyesight.  She is in fairly good health considering her age.  Mrs. Pendergrast is one of the pioneers of this county, having come here when Rossville was known as "Henpeck", having a general store, blacksmith ship and post office.