Eliza Kent

KENT, SOWERINE, EVERETT, RUCH, DEWEY, CROSSMAN, VANDERVELDEN, CHIVALLA, AND DECKER

Posted By: Mary Giles (email)
Date: 3/18/2005 at 10:07:05

Eliza Kent was born at Green Castle; Putnam County;Ind., May 5,1842. She came to this state early in life. She was married to Jacob Sowerine in 1859, who joined the U.S.Army in the days of the rebellion, Aug.14,1862 and was killed at the Battle of Ft.Gibson May 1st,1863 and was buried on the battle field. To this union was born 1 daughter, Mrs. Alice Miller of Montezuma, Iowa.
In Montezuma, Iowa on May 29,1865, Mrs. Sowerine was again united in marriage to Mr. Jacob Decker. To this union were born 6 daughters and 2 sons. Mrs. Martha Everett and Mrs.Anna Ruch both of Decatur, Ill., Mrs. Dora Dewey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mrs. Mary Crossman of Toledo, Iowa, Maggie Vandervelden of Odebolt and Mrs. Eva Chivalla of Montezuma. The sons- Messrs Silvester and Benjamin Decker of Mason City, Iowa. She also leaves 14 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
All of her children were privileged to be at the bed side of their dying mother to cheer and comfort andminister to her in her last trying illness. What a pleasure and comfort it must have been for her to have looked into the faces of all her dear ones before she took her final farewell. She has been a great sufferer for many years which she bore without complaint in Christian patience and heroism.
In May of 1906 she went to the home of her daughter Mrs. John Miller to be cared for by her, but she so improved in health that in Sept. of that same year, she went to Mason City to visit her 2 sons. There she was taken worse, but lingered until Aug.9th,1907, when she passed away fromthe home of her eldest son Silvester to that Eternal Home beyond the skies.
She joined the United Brethern Church in 1863, Which at that time had an organization in the Kent School House.
Mrs. Decker was a woman of religious sentiment and regarded religion as the 1st duty in life. As a neighbor, she was kind, attenive in time of need and ministering wherever there was necessity. As a wife and mother she was thoughtful, kind, and loving and endeared herself to her children in all motherly ways. Though living humbly, she endeavored to live a consecreated and devoted life so that the Master might say of her "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joys of thy Lord".
The remains were brought from Mason City Saturday evening and conveyed to the home of hergranddaughter, Mrs. Gertie Roberts from which place the funeral services were held Sunday afternoon conducted by Dr.E.Benson. The remains were laid to rest in the Kent Cemetery.
Those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. S.M Decker and daughter and Mrs.Cansfield of Mason City; Mrs.J.S.Everitt and daughter andC.J.Reeck and daughter of Decatur, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. J.N.Dewey and 2 sons of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. A.S.Vandervelden and 2 daughters of Odebolt, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Crossman and daughter and Mrs. W.H.Crossman of Toledo, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Hutzel of Victoty and Mrs. Lizzie Beals and daughter of Belle Plaine.