No words can express the terrible bereavement of his family.  He had been to them a tower of strength.  From childhood his sons and daughters had carried to him every grief and perplexity and there never had been a matter concerning them too trivial to receive his careful attention.  In manhood and womanhood they still had turned to him above all others for advice and comfort, even the grandchildren receiving always the same loving care.  Between husband and wife there ever had been the deepest, truest affection.  He was far ahead of his time in his recognition of the rights of women.  Years before he had written to a brother:  “Take your family into your confidence and give your wife the purse.”  He was never willing to enter into any pleasure which his wife did not share.  They tell of him that once the daughters persuaded him to remain in town on a stormy evening and go to the Hutchinson concert.  As they were driving home he said:  “Never again ask me to do such a thing; I suffered more in thinking of your mother at home alone than any enjoyment could possibly compensate.”  A short time before his death he and his wife went to Ontario Beach one afternoon and did not return till 10 o’clock.  When asked by the daughters what detained them, the mother answered that they had a fish supper and then strolled on the beach by moonlight; and on their laughing at her and saying she was worse than the girls, she replied:  “Your father is more of a lover today than he was the first year of our marriage.”

He was a broad, humane, great-hearted man, always mindful of the rights of others, always standing for liberty to every human being.  Public-spirited, benevolent and genial in disposition, his loss was widely mourned.  The family’s devoted friend, Rev. Samuel J. May, conducted the funeral services, at which Frederick Douglass and several prominent Abolitionists paid affectionate tribute, expressing “profound reverence for Mr. Anthony’s character as a man, a friend and a citizen.”  Many letters of sympathy were received by Miss Anthony, but nothing brought consolation to her heart; her best and strongest friend was gone.  Parker Pillsbury expressed her sorrow when he wrote:  “You must be stricken sore indeed in the loss of your constant helper in the great mission to which you are devoted, your counselor, your consoler, your all that man could be, besides the endearing relation of father.  What or who can supply the loss?”

There had not been a day in her life which had not felt his presence.  She went forth to every duty sustained by his cheery and brave encouragement.  With her father’s support she could face the opposition and calumny of the world, and when these became too great she had but to turn again to him for the fullest sympathy and appreciation.  He had inspired all she had done and with his wise advice and financial aid had assisted in the doing.  When he passed away she felt the foundations taken from beneath her feet.  For a little while she was stunned and helpless, and then the old strength came slowly back.  The same spiritual force that had upheld her so many years still spoke to her soul and bade her once more take up life’s duties.