Charles Irving Babcock 1850-1922  
Categories: Albion, Wisconsin, First Generation Milton, Rev. Charles S. Sayre Officiating, The Sabbath Recorder Obituary
"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 92, No 26, p 829, June 26, 1922.
  Charles Irving Babcock, youngest son of Ellery and Fannie Burdick Babcock, was born on Rock Prairie, Wis., May 11, 1850.
  When he was four years old he, together with his parents, moved to a farm two miles north of Albion and there he lived for sixty-four years.   His education was obtained in Albion Academy and Milton Academy.   When Charles was fourteen years old his father died.   From this time on his life was made harder as many cares were thrust upon him that are unusual to a boy of that age.
  On November 11, 1873, he was married to Clarissa J. Wilcox, of Angelo, Wis., and they lived together for forty-eight years until her death, January 1, 1922.   To them four children were born: Lillian, now Mrs. W. E. Babcock, of Waupun, Wis., in whose home he lived after the death of his wife; Henry, of Milton, Wis.; Grace, who died in 1915; and Fred, of Wauwatosa, Wis.   In 1918 he sold his farm and purchased a home in Albion Center where he lived until the death of his wife last winter broke up their home.
  While visiting his son Fred in Wauwatosa, on May 21, he was suddenly taken ill and was hurried to his daughter's home in Waupun where everything possible was done to bring about his recovery but it was of no avail and he passed quietly away at ten o'clock Sunday night, June 4.
  For many years he has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.   He enjoyed the fellowship which came from belonging to this fraternity and took great pleasure in attending its meetings.
  Early in life he was baptized and joined the Albion Seventh Day Baptist Church to which he remained a faithful member until the end.   Especially when he lived in Albion he took great interest in church work there and was a regular attendant upon both church and Sabbath school.
  Charles' life was full of hardships.   The health of his wife was never very good and she often required his care.   His mother, who made her home with him, was sick for many years before her death, and his daughter Grace was an invalid for seventeen years.   All of this, together with his hard work on the farm, gave him little time for pleasures but he still found time for deeds of kindness.   He was always willing to sit up with a sick friend, and many are the well filled Christmas baskets which have found their way from his home to cheer the needy families of the community.   His cheery smile and bright word of greeting were always an inspiration to his friends and will be greatly missed now that he has gone.
  He loved the beautiful things of nature and only a few days before his last illness walked a long distance to pick a bouquet of wild flowers.   He had great faith in God and said that he was ready to leave this world for the better world above.   And so while his friends and relatives will mourn his loss they will have the assurance that he has passed on to a larger life where he can be once more with his beloved wife for whom he has never ceased to mourn.
  Brief funeral services were held in the home at Waupun on Wednesday morning, conducted by Rev. R. E. E. Harkness, and more extended services at the Albion Seventh Day Baptist church Wednesday afternoon in charge of Rev. C. S. Sayre.   Interment was made by the side of his wife in Evergreen Cemetery.     C. S. S.

Census: 1880 Albion, Dane Co., Wisconsin

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 92, No 6, p 192, Feb. 6, 1922.
Clarissa Jane Babcock, daughter of Thomas N. and Fannie J. Wilcox, was born at Angelo, Monroe County, Wis., February 26, 1856, and died at her home in Albion, Wis., January 1, 1922.
Her girlhood was spent in Angelo and here on November 11, 1873, she was married to Charles I. Babcock, of Albion, Wis. The young couple made their home on a farm two miles north of Albion Center and there they lived for forty-five years. To them four children were born: Grace, who died in 1915; Lillian, who is Mrs. W. E. Babcock, of Waupun; Henry, of Milton; and Fred, of Wauwatosa.
In November, 1918, Mr. and Mrs. Babcock left the farm and moved to Albion Center where they lived until she became the victim of pneumonia.
Besides her husband and three children she has left behind two brothers, William and Wellington.
"Clara," as she was lovingly called by her many friends, was for the greater part of her life denied that greatest of all blessings, good health. When quite young she became afflicted with asthma, from which she suffered throughout her life. Ill health from this and other diseases did not, however, prevent her from leading a useful life. She was a good wife and a kind and loving mother. Always bright and hopeful even under the most trying circumstances she was a constant inspiration to those about her and her courage and good cheer will long be remembered by many.
She was a woman with a beautiful Christian faith. Early in life she became a member of the Albion Seventh Day Baptist Church, and to its covenant she remained faithful to the end.
On New Year's Day, surrounded by those she loved best, this strong loving soul, her work on earth ended, passed away into the great beyond where there is no more pain and suffering but where the weary are at rest.
Funeral services were held at the home January 4, in charge of Pastor Sayre. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery. C. S. S.

Census: 1880 Albion, Dane Co., Wisconsin