Mrs. JOHN S. (Elmira Dodge) MOTT 1830-1909

DODGE, MOTT, MCADAM

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 4/7/2005 at 18:57:03

Elmira DODGE was born in Rockland, Sullivan Co., N. Y., Sept 21, 1830 of English and Dutch ancestry. She was bereft of her mother when but a small child. Her father, Israel I. DODGE, for whom she ever retained a strong affection, was a farmer, a man of sterling qualities of character and a gentleman of the old school.

Elmira DODGE and John S. MOTT were married in Rockland, Sullivan Co. N. Y. Feb. 16, 1858. The family removed to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, in the fall of 1865, and two years later to Postville, Iowa, where the home has been ever since. Mrs. MOTT was from girlhood a member of the M.E. church. Her christian character was evidenced far more by the demonstration of a daily life of usefulness, unselfishness and love rather than by mere profession.

Mrs. MOTT was a lover of nature to a very marked degree, enjoying very much the cultivation of plant life. She was, furthermore, a tireless reader over a wide range of subject, being keenly interested in the affairs of the day up to the very last. The hold which she had upon the hearts of her children was one of most unusual strength, and of too sacred a nature to admit of further mention in this connection.

She survived her husband, to whom she was devoted, a little over four years, and passed from earthly view at her home in Postville, Iowa, May 24, 1909, in her 79th year after a very brief illness.

She is survived by her four children -- Mrs. James McADAM of Hartford, Conn.; Miss Clara MOTT, of Chicago; Mr. John R. MOTT of New York, General Secretary of the World's Student Christian Federation and Miss Harriet MOTT, of Postville.

- note: her son, Dr. John R. MOTT, was a Nobel Prize winner.
- source: Postville Review, June 4, 1909
- submitted by Sharyl Ferrall