PHELPS, Mary A. 1838-1909

PHELPS, MOULTHROP, MITCHELL, DEWEY

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 7/6/2010 at 18:06:01

Died - PHELPS - At Postville, Iowa, Feb. 13, Mary A. Phelps, formerly of Malone, aged 69 years.

Mrs. Phelps went West to reside 27 years ago. She was a daughter of the late Edson Phelps, of Malone, and her remains will be brought here for burial. Mrs. Guy C. Dewey is a niece of the deceased.

~The Malone Farmer, Malone, N.Y., February 17, 1909

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Mary A. Phelps was born in Malone, New York, September 29, 1888*, and died Feb. 18, 1909, in Postville, Iowa, aged 70 years, 4 months and 15 days.

Miss Phelps came to Iowa in 1877 or 1878, residing with her uncle, the late Jonathan Moulthrop, at his farm near Postville for a year or more, when she came to our village, setting up a millinery business for about five years, which she sold, going into the postoffice as assistant to the late N.J. Beedy for four years. Since then a variety of pursuits has occupied her attention, as her precarious health would permit, to very near her demise.

She was of an earnest, lovable nature, a faithful christian worker, and zealous for her church, attended church and Sunday School on the 7th inst. in her usual health, was able to help herself except for a few hours of her closing, and no apprehension of dissolution was entertained by herself or her companion, Miss Margaret Mitchell, who was constantly with her, and in whose pleasant hme her life so suddenly went out on Saturday night at 10:20 o'clock.

Many friends attended the last rites at the Congregational church on Thursday morning, when services were held by her beloved pastor, Rev. F.W. Pease, and her remains sent to relatives in Malone, N.Y., by their request.

~Postville Review, February 19, 1909

*Added 4/08/2014: An alert reader suggests that the year of birth should be 1838, given her age and the dates she removed to Iowa. He is likely correct but interested researchers should confirm her year of birth.

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News article of interest:

In renewing her subscription to the PALLADIUM, Mary A. Phelps, of Postville, Iowa says: "It will be 20 years in June since I left Malone, and I have taken the paper continuously since that time. I could not get along without it now, although there are many names that I am unacquainted with. Malone is a fine town - none like it. But if you should visit Iowa you would see many new things in the way of farming.

~The Malone Palladium, Malone, N.Y., January 16, 1902