Hester Jane Cutler

Former Local Lady Laid To Rest Here

Mrs. William c. Cutler, a resident of this community from 1912 to 1919, passed away at the home of her daughter at Wessington Springs, South Dakota on Thursday, January 2, 1941. Mrs. Cutler was quite well known among the older residents of the community. Her husband passed away here in 1919, after which time she had made her home with her children and for the past two and a half years had been living with Mrs. Minnie Barber at Wessington Springs.

Hester J. Filson was born March 20, 1854 at Nauvoo, Illinois, and passed away at Wessington Springs, South Dakota, January 2, 1941, aged 86 years, nine months and twelve days. Her father, Leander Filson, was a Methodist Circuit Rider and served many rural churches in and about Nauvoo and Carthage, Illinois, during the troubled times of the Mormon uprisings, and she had many recollections of those exciting and unhappy times.

She was united in marriage to William C. Cutler at Carthage, Illinois on April 25, 1875, and shortly thereafter the young couple moved to Centerville, Iowa where they lived for many years and reared a family of five children, all of whom survive. In 1909 the family moved to Jerauld county, South Dakota and lived on a farm in Media township until 1912, when they moved to a ranch south of Lusk where they continued to make their home until 1919 when Mr. Cutler passed away.

While living in Jerauld county, the Baptist Church in Wessington Springs was organized and they were charter members of said church. In fact, wherever they lived Mr. and Mrs. Cutler were active church workers, and Mother Cutler was always a faithful wife and a devoted mother.

After the death of her husband, Mrs. Cutler lived with her daughters, traveling from the home of one to another, and as they lived far apart much traveling was required, which she seemed to enjoy, until her health and advanced age made it impossible for her to travel alone. In May, 1938, she returned to Wessington Springs and had made her home with Mrs. Minnie Barber, who had made her last two and one-half years most happy and comfortable.

The children surviving are Alden Cutler of Wessington Springs, South Dakota; Mrs. Alethea Phillips, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Mrs. Elizabeth Scammel of Toms River, New Jersey; Mrs. Edith Howes of Denver and Mrs. Mary Gray of Portland, Oregon. There were also twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at the Peet Mortuary in Lusk, Wyoming at 10 o'clock Tuesday morning, January 7, with Rev. P. H. Evans of the Lusk Baptist Church in charge. A quartet composed of J.M. Hungate, O. P. Harnagel, Mrs. Edna DeCastro and Mrs. H. J. Templeton sang "Abide With Me" and "Rock of Ages." Mrs. J. P. Watson was accompanist. Pall bearers were Menno Kaan, Nick Kaan, Henry Kaan, L. A. Wood, Roy McLain and Charles Scace. Interment was made in the Lusk cemetery beside her husband who was laid to rest in 1919.

Her son, Alden Cutler accompanied the body to Lusk and a daughter, Mrs. Edith Howes and husband of Denver was here to attend the funeral ad burial. Other members of the family were unable to be present at this time.

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