Lafayette Daily Journal, March 13, 1907

PIONEER WOMAN DEAD
Mrs. Christena Sumwalt Dies at Age
of Seventy-Three

Mrs. Christena Sumwalt, wife of John A. Sumwalt, died at 4:15 o'clock this morning at the family residence near Shadeland. She had been sick for some time and her death was caused by a complication of diseases. She was born in Hamilton, O., January 28, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Sumwalt came to Lafayette on a canal packet owned by the late William Taylor over fifty years ago. Two years ago last fall, Mr. and Mrs. Sumwalt celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Sumwalt was a member of the Methodist church and during her life was the author of many kind deeds. She was a charter member of the Woman's Foreign Missionary society and also a member of the Wednesday club. Her daughter, Mrs. Joseph Hawkins, died fifteen years ago and Mrs. Sumwalt raised the two children--Mrs. Hunter Leaming and Walter Hawkins. Besides the husband three children survive--Mrs. Luella Hawkins, of Logansport; Mrs. Thomas Irwin, of Wayne township; and Charles Sumwalt, of Shadeland. The funeral will be held from the house at 10:30 o'clock Friday morning and the burial will be in Greenbush cemetery.