Ella Wagner: “Dead from Heart Disease and Exhaustion” (#14 of 52 Ancestors)

Today I came across this sad death notice for the half-sister of my great, great grandfather, Alexander Stewart. Before today, I only knew her maiden name, Ella Maud Stewart,  and approximate birth year of 1870. But, then I found her Pennsylvania death record and, through it, found both her married name, Wagner, and date of death in 1910. It was signed by “J. P. Wagner” who I thought was likely her husband.

I wasn’t able to find any marriage or any census records after she married, but then I came across this sad death notice…

Mrs. J. P. Wagner, of Sharon, aged 35 years, is dead from heart disease and exhaustion due to her labors in nursing her husband and three children through attacks of typhoid fever. She was talking to a neighbor when she suddenly fell dead on a couch. [Note: She was actually 40 years old]

Isn’t that sad? And, at the same time, I think she died taking care of her family and died quickly and peacefully.

I found a second article about her death on MyHeritage. Unfortunately, this doesn’t give me any additional information about either her husband or her three children, though it does verify I have the right person because of the list of her surviving siblings and mother.

Mrs. J. E Clark of 1408 Elmira street received a telegram yesterday morning of the death of her sister, Mrs. J. P. Wagner, which occurred at her home in Sharon, Pa. Mrs. Wagner is the daughter of Mrs. Jane Stewart of Pine Creek, Clinton county and was well known in this city. She is survived by her husband, three children and the following sisters and brothers: W. R. Stewart, of Flemington; Robert Stewart, of Lock Haven; Mrs. J. E. Clark, of this city, and Mrs. William Bubb, of Pine Creek; Alexander Stewart, of Charlton; and her mother, Mrs. Jane Stewart, of Pine Creek. 

[Source: Wagner, Gazette and Bulletin, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 15 Dec 1910, page 4, column 5; digital image myheritage.com (http://www.myheritage.com: accessed 23 May 2015]

I’m still looking to find the full name of her husband and her three children. It’s frustrating that they aren’t listed in either article!