Springer Family Tree

Obituary of Anna "Annie" Springer Dell of Ligonier, PA
     Note: This obituary (undated, from The Pittsburgh Gazette? The Harrisburg Patriot?) contains at least one glaring discrepancy, that of her age, giving it as both 81 and 83. So other clues should be viewed critically. The M.E. Church refers to Methodist Episcopal, which was eventually absorbed into United Methodist Ministries. The G.A.R. refers to the Grand Army of the Republic.
     The referenced Dell homestead, which stood at the corner of Third and Amity Streets in Homestead, was later demolished, and the streets removed, to build the famous Pittsburgh steelyards, now a large shopping mall.

PIONEER RESIDENT GONE
Mrs. Annie Dell Passed Away Early This
Morning at Ripe Age of 81 Years
     Mrs. Annie Dell, one of the pioneer residents of Homestead and the Monongahela Valley died at the home of her son, Grant Dell, on Third Avenue near Amity Street at 4:30 o'clock this morning of general debility, aged 83 years, 1 month and 23 days.
     Mrs. Dell is known by all of the earlier settlers of Homestead and has lived in this vicinity or within 50 miles of it ever since her birth. She had been very well for a period prior to her death in spite of her years, and the end came suddenly without warning to the other members of the family, who were called to bedside only about twenty minutes before she breathed her last.
     She was about the house all day yesterday, better than was her wont and talked and even joked about her chances for living another term of ten years. She went to bed in good spirits and was not heard from until near morning. About 4 o'clock, Mrs. Grant Dell by a dream and rising quickly, she night mare and rising quickly, [sic-- I think what's meant here is that Mrs. Grant Dell was awakened by a nightmare and she went to her room], where only a glance sufficed to show that the end was very near. Hastily arising, Mr. [Grant] Dell went in haste for Dr. Huff, who responded quickly but he was not needed. By the time the physician arrived it was plain that the aged lady was beyond the province of medical skill and within five minutes after he arrived, she breathed her last. Before she passed into the last sleep she recognized the voice of those about her and told her daughter-in-law that she was dying. The children also knew and her last words were a blessing for the little boy who stood near the pillow.
     Mrs. Dell was born near Ligonier, PA, May 30, 1810. [Incorrect] Her maiden name was Springer and she was married to Mr. Joseph Dell at that place when about twenty years of age. Soon afterward the couple came to the vicinity of the Monongahela Valley and for nearly twenty-five years they lived in and about Homestead. Twenty-seven years ago Mr. Dell died. The family was then living at Beck's Run and Grant, the youngest son, was only nine years of age. Mrs. Dell completed the task of raising the family and when the youngest son married she settled with him occupying the Dell homestead on Third Avenue, where she died.
     She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Margaret Altman, of Cheat Haven, Mrs. Annie Sharp of Green Springs and Mrs. Mary J. Hays of Munhall Terrace. Grant Dell of Third Avenue is the only surviving son. She had been a member of the M.E. Church since 16 years of age and was a consistent Christian woman. She was an active member of the G.A.R. Woman's Relief Corps who will have charge of the service at the grave. Funeral services will be held from the Fourth Avenue M.E. Church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, interment to follow in Homestead Cemetery, where the body will be laid beside that of her husband.