Census: 1880 Jackson Center, Shelby Co., Ohio: age 54
Residence: APR 1890 Wisconsin


Amy (Van Horn) Babcock 1826-1897
"The Milton Journal", Milton, Wisconsin, Wednesday, May 5, 1897, p 1.
Died at Milton Junction, Wis., May 1, 1897, Mrs. Amy Babcock, from general debility resulting in partial heart failure and hemorrhage of the stomach and bowels. She suffered greatly in the last hours of her illness and was tenderly cared for by her son, Joseph C. Babcock, and his family, with whom she lived. Her funeral was held Monday forenoon, May 3, in the Seventh-day Baptist church at the Junction and the sermon was preached by Pres. W. C. Whitford, who was assisted in the services by Geo. W. Burdick and E. B. Saunders, the evangelist. A daughter of Mrs. Babcock and her husband from Fort Atkinson were in attendance, and among other relatives of the deceased were present Rev. L. A. Platts, and Rev. D. K. Davis. Burial took place in the village cemetery.
Aunt Amy, as she was familiarly called, was born Oct. 10, 1826, and was, therefore, at her death 70 years, 6 months and 21 days old. Her birthplace was in Doddridge Co., W, Va.; and her parents were William and Mary Van Horn. The mother was a sister to Eld. James B. Davis of Salem, W. Va. and to Jacob Davis, who died some years since in the town of Lima, Wis.; and she was half sister to Eld. Samuel D. Davis of Jane Lew, W. Va. While an infant her people moved to New Hampton, Clarke Co., Ohio, where they resided until she was fourteen years of age, when they settled in the town of Stokes, Logan Co., Ohio. Here soon afterwards she experienced religion and united with the Seventh-day Baptist church of the place. She was married January 1, 1845, to Simeon Babcock, a son of William and Asenath Babcock. Her husband's mother was the daughter of William Davis of Greenbrier, W. Va., an uncle of Elder Lewis A. Davis, deceased, and was well known to many people in Ohio and Iowa.
Soon after their marriage, the couple took up their residence on a farm near Jackson Center, Shelby Co., Ohio, where Mrs. Babcock joined the Seventh-day Baptist church of that village. In about eight years, subsequently, Mr. Babcock, her husband, had repeated attacks of malaria, so common at that time in that country, and became a confirmed invalid. For upwards of twenty years, she had the care of her companion, and labored to raise her children, eight in number, five sons and three daughters. To all intents and purposes, she was a most devoted and efficient wife and mother. Mr. Babcock died Sept. 26, 1876, and she remained near Jackson Center with her children, bringing them all but one to manhood and womanhood, until April, 1800, when she removed to Wisconsin and has since made her home with her son Joseph in the towns of Albion and Milton. During a revival season at Rock River in the latter town, she transferred her membership of that year to the Seventh-day Baptist church of this place with which she retained fellowship to her death.
Of the children born to her, the eldest named David, died when three years of age, and the youngest, Teressa V., married Jarius Clement, and departed this life some time since at North Loup, Neb. Her surviving sons are Joseph C., already mentioned; John Albert of Jackson Center, Ohio; Jesse, residing at Stokes, Ohio; and Wilbur J. now of Farnam, Neb. Two daughters are still living, Mrs. Salvina Jones of Kansas, and Mrs. Isadore N. Babcock of Jackson Center.
Living in a new country in her youth and in charge of a large family during most of her married life, she enjoyed but few opportunities to improve her mind and engage actively in church work; yet she maintained in these years a strong and abiding interest in the cause of Christ. But in her more advanced life she found time to inform herself more fully on several religious subjects and to possess, in a greater measure, the spiritual riches of an unfailing trust in her Lord and Redeemer. The little church of which she was a beloved member at her death, will sensibly feel their loss.