ALICE L. ERION, daughter of Jacob B. Erion and Mary Leonard Erion

The third child of Jacob Benjamin Erion and Mary Frances Leonard Erion was Alice L. Erion, born 31 Mar 1871. (Source: Linn County, Iowa, History to 1878 [Ancestry.com]) Alice lived until her 30^th year, passing away on 21 Mar 1901 (Source: [Omaha] Morning World-Herald, 22 Mar 1901) 

Apparently Alice had been ill for some time for an article headlined “Miss Erion Has Recovered” appeared in the June 13, 1894 edition of the (Omaha) Morning World-Herald, which stated,

“The many friends of Miss Alice Erion will be gratified to learn that she has so far recovered from her long illness as to go to Fairmont on a visit to her sister, Mrs. W. A. Terry. Miss Erion, who is a daughter of J. B. Erion, deputy labor commissioner, took sick last December, and had to resign her position as teacher. She has been confined to her room ever since, and many times her life was despaired of.”

According to Fern Terry, her aunt Alice L. Erion suffered from Bright’s Disease. Bright's disease is what was once used to classify a kidney disease that would now be called acute or chronic nephritis. The presence of albumen or blood plasma in the urine and the swelling of tissue are symptoms of the disease. It was called Bright’s Disease because these symptoms were first noted and described by Dr. Richard Bright, of England, in 1827.

Alice was in great pain for several years. She suffered from severe chronic back pain, along with vomiting and fever. Despite suffering from this disease, which apparently came and went, she continued to teach when she could, to-wit:

South Omaha World-Herald, August 31, 1896 

“Miss Alice Erion was elected as a teacher. A year ago Miss Erion was compelled, on account of bad health, to take a rest. She is considered one of the best teachers in the city for the department in which she is engaged.”

During the attacks, Alice’s body became distended due to the retention of fluid and it was difficult for her to breath.  Her daily activities were limited.  Bright’s disease was treated with warm baths which explains the following article published under the heading “South Omaha Brevities,” in the [Omaha] Morning World Herald, May 11, 1897:

“Miss Alice Erion is at home from an extended visit to Hot Springs, Ark.”

One can assume that Alice visited Hot Springs, Arkansas to seek relief from the pain caused by her disease, and one feels badly for Alice when that one line shown above is nestled between the following two news items from the same newspaper edition:

“New style waist sets at Godfrey’s.”

and

“Twin babies, a boy and a girl, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Abbott.”

Alice never got a chance to live the “normal” life which most people would assume would include marriage and children.  Alice died 21 Mar 1901, ten days before her thirtieth birthday, in Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  Alice had moved there with her mother and father when Jacob B. Erion was made Superintendent for the Cemeteries of the Union Army located in the Southern states.  

(Omaha) Morning World-Herald, March 22, 1901

  “FORMER OMAHA TEACHER

Miss Alice Erion Dies at Pineville, La.—Was Well Known Hero

Special Dispatch to the World-Herald.

Pineville, La., March 21. -- Miss Alice Erion, daughter of J. B. Erion, superintendent of the National cemetery at this place, died this morning.  Miss Erion was well known and very popular in Omaha, where she was formerly a teacher in the public schools."

Alice is buried in Plot (Section) A 1340 in the Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville, Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  (Source: http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1)