Pike County Missouri Obituaries

Obituary from the Vandalia Mail,
Vandalia, MO
February 16, 1905:

Died at the home of John Wilson near New London, Feb. 13, 1905 at 4 a.m. Mrs. Ann Waters, aged 99 years, two months and 16 days.

She was the oldest native born citizen in Missouri. She was the daughter of Isaac Hostetter and wife. Her mother's maiden name was Keithley and the numerous families of that name in Ralls county are relatives of hers. Mr. Hostetter came from Kentucky to this state in 1798 and settled at St. Charles, where the subject of this sketch was born Nov. 28, 1805 and where she resided until 1819. Her early education was obtained under John Mallory, a wandering school teacher. In 1819 her father moved to Pike county and setteled [sic] five miles east of Frankford. Here he died at the age of 74, and his wife died at the age of 75. The farm was then bought by his youngest son. Gabriel Hostetter, and five years ago was purchased by Gabriel Hostetter's son, Roe. This farm has belonged to the same family 84 years. The Hostetter house was for many years a meeting place for the pioneers of early years and there many eminent ministers preached the gospel, among them the great Alexander Campbell and Sandy Jones, who will be remembered by many early settlers.

Mrs. Waters was married Sept. 21, 1821, to Jacob Roland, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Jackson, a prominent Baptist minister. To them were born five children. At her home in 1824 the second church in Pike county was organized and she was one of the charter members, so she was a member of one church for more than 80 years. Two years prior to this time she united with the C.P. church, making 82 years of church membership. She was a member of the Christian church longer than anyone in the state. She and her husband resided in that neighborhood until 1828 when they moved to Ralls county and settled eight miles east of the present site of New London. In 1853 they moved to a farm 5 miles south of Madisonville. Here Mr. Roland wsa killed by a stroke of lightening in 1854. In 1859 she was married to Eld. Geo. W. Waters, a pioneer minister of the Christian church. In 1869 Eld. Waters died. He had been a soldier in the war of 1812, and since his death Mrs. Waters has drawn a pension. Mrs. Waters was the mother of nine children, all of them born of her first marriage. They were Enoc, now dead, Jan, now dead, Isaac, of this city, Enos, now dead; Wm., of Center; Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, of near New London; Miss Mary, of Ralls county, and Mrs. D Ely, of Monroe City. Mrs. Waters lived with her son, Isaac, in this city for several years, but in 1889 went to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wilson, where she resided until her death. One brother, Gabriel Hostetter, is now living in Frankford. For more than 50 years he has been either elder or deacon in the Christian church.

Mrs. Waters had 55 grand children, of whom 40 are now living; 70 great-grand chilfren, 60 of whom are living, and 12 great-great grand children, in all 146 lineal decendents [sic]. Of that number, all except one who have reached the years of accountability are now members of the Christian church, in all about 120. In 1836 Mrs. Waters assisted in organizing the Salt River Christian church, one of the most popular churches in Ralls county.

Mrs. Waters was a beautiful singer and until she was 90 years of age her voice could be heard at religious services singing the praises of her redeemer.

Mrs. Waters was the embodiment of all that was good. I can truthfully say that I never met one who led a more consistent and consecrated christian [sic] life.

Her funeral was preached at the Salt River Christian church, of which she was the last charter member, by Rev. J.B. Corwine, and the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery near by.