DRESSER, Emily (Reed) (Topliff) 1837-1909

DRESSER, TOPLIFF, ORR, REED, ANDREWS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 11/29/2012 at 12:35:24

Postville Review, Fri., 3 Sept. 1909.

Emily Reed was born near Marysville, Ohio, February 27, 1837, and died at Postville, Iowa, August 29, 1909, aged 72 years, six months and 2 days.

In 1852 with her father's family she came to northeastern Iowa, in which vicinity she has since resided. When thirteen years of age her mother died, leaving three young children for her to mother. Of this family only a sister survives. In 1854 she was married to Charles L. Topliff. Together they toiled and loved for twelve years, when bereavement came, leaving a widowed wife to care for a son and daughter. Later she mourned the death of the son, consoled only by the presence of the daughter. A few years later Mrs. Topliff was married to W. F. Dresser and for nearly forty years they have kept company on life's journey. A son, Joy W., came to gladden their home, who with Mrs. F. M. Orr, of Monona, Iowa, are the only surviving children. Mr. Dresser died in February of last year.

In early womanhood Mrs. Dresser became a member of the Baptist church remaining a devoted diciple of the faith in her God until that organization disbanded, when she transferred her membership to the Methodist Episcopal church. Her life has been a life of service, inspired by faith in the scriptural teaching. For several years her health was impaired, and this year very poory, yet through all of her trials and tribulations, in pain and sorrow, she, in true womanhood, and armed in righteousness, withstood the ravages of disease, knowing full well that the time was near at hand when she should join the loved ones gone before, in the paradise, the Mecca of the Christians hope and reward. The end came on the quite closing Sabbath evening, and she passed to the great beyond, loved and respected by all who enjoyed her acquaintance.

The funeral was held from the M.E. church in this city on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 31. Rev. Bird, of Monona, officiating.

Submitter is not related.

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Added by Connie Ellis (Dresser family researcher)12/16/12:

Emily (Reed) Topliff Dresser was the daughter of Thomas W. Reed (1812-1861) and Samantha B. Andrews (1812-1850). The siblings that Emily helped raise were Vandever T. Reed, Azubah A. Reed, and Asenath Reed.

The Topliff children were:
1. Frank E. Topliff - born 1856 but not certain when he died.
2. Emma L. Topliff married Frank Orr who was a banker in Monona, Iowa.

Emily's 2nd marriage was to Wilbur Fisk Dresser b. 6 July 1835 and died 18 February 1908. They had one son: Joy W. Dresser - born October 1869 and he died December 1944 at Lovina, Idaho.

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Added by Reid R. Johnson 3/8/2015:

re: the Connie Ellis addendum - Lovina is not in Idaho; it is Lavina, Golden Valley Co., Montana.

~from Peter Benjamin Erickson, who lived next door to Joy W. Dresser at the time of Mr. Dresser's death.