Rebecca Belle Harrison Irvine
"Aunt Becky"
Born: June 1837 - Died: 1924
Married: Charles Fowler Baldwin
Born: Unknown - Died: 23 October 1869

REBECCA BELLE HARRISON IRVINE, born in Mr. Vernon, Ohio, was the 5^th child and 4^th daughter of James Callender Irvine and Martha Nevin Bartlett, and appeared in June 1837. As known to relatives and friends alike Aunt Becky was named after the wife of President Benjamin Harrison. She married Charles Fowler Baldwin, her next order sister’s widower, in 1877. Since his death on 23^rd Oct., 1896 Aunt Beck has been the constant companion of her older sister Martha E. With her she visited her brother James Clarke in Oregon, Mo. and her Uncle Robert in Pleasant Hill, Mo. Yet two sisters could not be more unalike. In contrast to the plainness of dress, austerity, and sharpness of tongue of Aunt Matt; Aunt Becky was all fluffs and furbelows followed the latest fashions and beauty hints and was kindness and sweetness itself right to the end. She officiated as housekeeper in the old E. Gambier home, remained physically active and socially receptive until a few months prior to her demise – which followed many weeks of suffering from a broken hip. No chick of her own yet she mothered her sister Mary B.’s daughter Maimee with all the affection imaginable.

The tone and implication of her obituary aptly depicts her character and life: -

"LIFE RESIDENT OF CITY DIES

MRS. REBECCA IRVINE BALDWIN PASSES AWAY AT HOME SUNDAY

Mrs. Rebecca Irvine Baldwin aged 87, died at 1 o’clock Sunday morning at her home, 110 E. Gambier St., as a result of complications. Mrs. Baldwin fell last fall and fractured her hip and had been in failing health since that time. In mourning the passing of Mrs. Baldwin Mt. Vernon honors one of the children leaving their generation of rich memories with the life of today. Few indeed are the occasions when a community can boast of a daughter whose life has so intimately touched the development of its social and civic spirit in such a period of time.

As a child, youth, wife, and widow, Mrs. Baldwin’s life was an ideal worthy of emulation, and an inspiration of countless aspiration beyond the field of her home city. Born in 1837, living all her days here, it may well be said that her home and influence were a Mt. Vernon Institution, the family seat at 110 Gambier Street having been established by her father nearly a century ago.

Widely known for her charitable and womanly qualities Mrs. Baldwin’s passing is mourned by a host of dear friends.

In 1877 she was united in marriage to the late Mon. Charles F. Baldwin, one-time publisher of the Republican News and long a leader in the civic life of the city. Bereft of this ideal companionship in 1896 Mrs. Baldwin has ever since maintained the family home with her venerable and loved sister, Martha Irvine, devoting herself to the domestic and social responsibilities of her position and making of her hospitable home a veritable Mecca for the large circle of relatives and friends who regarded her as more than mother, guardian, and friend, and who now, with all who now, with all who knew her, mourn her loss and honor her with loving memories.

The funeral service was read at 2:30 o’clock by Rev. Donald Wonders, Rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Baldwin had been a life long member. Interment was in Mound View Cemetery.

She is survived by her sister, Miss Martha Irvine, two nephews, Robert B. Armstrong, and L. C. Irvine, of Mobile, Ala., a grand niece, Mrs. Thomas Bogardus, of Mt. Vernon, and these grand nephews – Bishop Dickenson, of Newark, Ohio, Dr. Adrian Irvine and A. C. Dickenson, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Pallbearers were Dr. C. B. Dickenson Bishop Dickenson, A. G. Dickenson, Thomas Bogardus, RE Armstrong, and Dr. Adrian Irvine.

Others from out of the city attending the funeral included Mr. and Mrs. AC Dickenson, Sharon, Pa., Mrs. L. C. Irvine, Mobile, Ala., Mrs. Bishop Dickenson, Newark, Ohio.