Mabel Idella Poorbaugh – written by Betty L. (Davis) Sears, niece
Mabel was born April 29, 1887 in Burrton, Harvey Co., KS to James H. and Anna (Drinkwater) Poorbaugh.
She grew up on a homestead of 180 acres claimed by her father in Section 10 of Burrton Township and attended school at Maple Grove, District 58 in Section 8. The school Census shows that she attended from 1896 – 1901, ages 9-14.
Mabel and her sister Ida roomed together in Burrton when they attended High School.
She is on the index of graduates from Burrton High School in the year of 1905. Others in her graduating class: Myrtle Clark, May Shepherd, Nellie Swanson, Mabel Poorbaugh (listed as Mable), Fannie Eales, Mertie Short, and Ella Shive. All girls. (data provided by Darren J. McMannis) Harvey County Genealogical Society
When her family moved to Hutchinson, Reno Co., KS after the 1910 Census was taken, she moved with them. She lived with her brother Jesse and when their father was ill, they took care of him until his death in 1933.
Mabel attended the South Hutchinson Christian Church, was a Sunday School Teacher as well as being very active in all of the church activities.
She held several responsible positions working as a bookkeeper for an Oldsmobile agency.
After her sister Maude married Robert Grace, they moved to California, Mabel soon followed. She was living in Newark, CA when she met and married Walter “Doc” Wright on January 22, 1939. Both were 51 years of age. I was heartbroken that Aunt Mabel had moved and married, as a child of 7 years of age, I had thought that Aunt Mabel and Uncle Jesse were married. Only later did I find out they were brother and sister.
Here are excerpts from a tribute written about her by her pastor in 1967 when she turned 80 years of age:
In 1887, the year that Mabel Idella Poorbaugh was born, Grover Cleveland was President. There were 38 states in the Union. Yes, eighty years is a long time. When we become eighty, if we manage to live that long, we are usually in a rest home or a hospital. We feel that our life’s work is done, and that we deserve to retire from responsibilities. But not so with those who are motivated by faith, like Mabel.
I haven’t been a Pastor too long. I’m still pretty new at it. But I’ve learned some things here in the Fremont-Newark area. I am asked again and again “What is the name of the little white-haired lady who goes to your church?” I begin to tell the women in the house about Christian Women’s Fellowship, and I get the same response. “Oh yes, Mrs. Wright has already called and invited me and has made arrangements for transportation for me.” Several years ago we decided to have an evening service. Someone who was busy with other things laughingly said to me, “It will probably end up with just you and Mabel attending!” And sure enough, few others made an effort to attend, but Mabel did!
Not long ago Mabel Wright went to work. She said that as a result she could give more to the church. I’m not telling you anything new – we all know what she does. She is one of the few Sunday school teachers who consistently arrive on time. Christian faith is an attribute, revealed in the lives of those who have faith. It is contagious, it inspires us all – an eighty year old human life. The church lives because persons such as Mabel Wright live. --- Donald W. J. Anderson, Pastor.
She lived to be 90 years of age, died in 1977 in Fremont, CA and is buried in Irvington Memorial Cemetery, Fremont, Alameda Co., CA.