REDHEAD, Sarah (Howard) (Robinson) 1835-1928

HOWARD, ROBINSON, REDHEAD, DE ENOS, BOOTH, SPURLING

Posted By: Mary Durr
Date: 10/25/2002 at 19:51:45

POSTVILLE PIONEER IS CALLED TO REST FROM HER LABORS

Mrs. Sarah Redhead, daughter of Hopkins and Almira Howard, was born near Mayville, New York, June 1, 1835. At the age of seventeen she was united in marriage with David Robinson of New York, on July 1852. The following year they came to Iowa and settled near Elkader. Eight years later, at the beginning of the Civil War, the husband enlisted in the Union Army and a few months later was killed in battle*, leaving the wife and mother with three small children to face the world alone. With Christian fortitude and the courage of the pioneer mother, she met the situation and with labor and love kept the family circle intact.

In September 1863 she was united in marriage with George Redhead of Garnavillo, Iowa, and shortly there after the family settled on a farm they had purchased two miles south-west of Postville, Iowa. In 1864, Mr. Redhead was called to serve his country in the Civil War. Thus again was this noble woman put to the task of managing the farm and caring for the home while awaiting the return of her husband. Their union was blessed with four children and this farm remained their home until 1889, when they retired and came to Postville to reside. Mr. Redhead passed away Jan. 3, 1914. Mrs. Redhead remained in Postville until about three years ago when the death of her daughter, Mrs. Viola DeEnos, left her alone. Since that time she has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Anna Spurling, in Minneapolis, where all that the tender and thoughtful care of a devoted daughter and son-in-law could suggest was done to smooth the mother's pathway to the journey's end, which came December 12, 1928, when a loved mother, wearied with the weight of more than 93 years, fell into that dreamless sleep which fringes eternal rest, at the age of 93 years, 6 months and 11 days.

Mrs. Redhead was a devout Christian woman, not only by profession, but in practice as well. For more than 60 years she was a member of the Congregational Church of Postville, an earnest worker in all it's branches and a faithful attendant at it's services as long as health would permit. At the union of the Methodist Episcopal and Congregational churches to form the Community Presbyterian Church, she joined as a charter member of the new organization and was a member of this church at the time of her death. In the various activities of life -- as a wife, mother, friend and citizen -- she did her part well.

Of her seven children, but three survive her: they are, Mrs. Lillian Booth, and Lincoln Redhead of Los Angeles, and Mrs. Anna Spurling of Minneapolis.

The funeral was held from the Community church in this city at one o'clock last Saturday afternoon, Rev. R. F. Galloway conducting the service. Interment in the family plot in Postville cemetery.

The following poem, which was read on the birthday anniversary of Mrs. Redhead some years ago, so pleased her that she requested it read at her funeral and it was so done, as follows:

Kneeling At The Threshold

I'm kneeling at the threshold, weary, faint, and sore;
Waiting for the dawning, for the opening of the door;
Waiting till the Master shall bid me rise and come,
To the glory of his presence, to the gladness of his home!

A weary path I've traveled 'mid darkness, storm, and strife;
Bearing many a burden, struggling for my life;
But now the morn is breaking, my toil will soon be o'ver,
I'm kneeling at the threshold, my hand is on the door.

Methinks I hear the voices of the blessed as they stand,
Singing in the sunshine in the far-off sinless land;
Oh, would that I were with them, amid their shining throng,
Mingling in their worship, joining in their song.

The friends that started with me have entered long ago;
One by one they left me struggling with the foe;
Their pilgrimage was shorter, their triumph surer won,
How lovingly they'll hail me, when all my toil is done!

With them the blessed angels that know no grief or sin,
I see them by the portals, prepared to let me in.
O Lord I wait they pleasure; thy name and way are best;
But I'm wasted, worn and weary; O Father, bid me rest!

In this connection the children wish to thank the Minneapolis and Postville friends for their kindly acts and comforting words during the illness and burial of their beloved mother.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping from my mother's obituary collection. (Postville Herald, Thur., Dec. 20, 1928)

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*per Carl Ingwaldson: "Sarah's obituary notes that David was 'killed' in the war which usually implies that he was shot or suffered a similar fate. In fact, he died from chronic diarrhoea."