Schoonover, Mrs. Joseph (Victoria) 1842-1907

SCHOONOVER, SMITH, SELLERS

Posted By: Janet Schuldt (email)
Date: 7/10/2019 at 11:51:52

The Vinton Eagle, Vinton, Benton, Iowa Friday, September 20, 1907 Page 1

A Good Mother Is Summoned

Mrs. J. 0. Schoonover Died at the Family Home in Vinton Wednesday Evening.

Wednesday evening at 7:30 as the bells of the churches were ringing, summoning the people to midweek worship, the spirit of Mrs. J. O. Schoonover heard the bells of heaven ringing their call to the temple of eternal praises.

Her maiden name was Victoria F. Smith and she was born Dec. 11, 1842, in Licking county, Ohio. She came with her family to Benton county, Iowa, in 1858, settling in Big Grove township. Here she was married to J. O. Schoonover August 3, 1862, who at the time was a soldier in the Union army during the civil war. He returned to the field, leaving his young wife to the suspense of long and anxious waiting for the close of the war and the return of her warrior. In 1875 they moved to Garrison, Iowa, and lived there and in that vicinity for about twenty years. Then they lived in Big Grove township again for about eight years, when, because of Mrs. Schoonover's tailing health, they came to Vinton. Here they have lived for about four years. Two of their children. Rose and Mary, grew to young womanhood and died.

The surviving children are Charles of South Dakota, Mrs. Edith Sellers, living near Garrison. And Ruth and Wesley of Vinton. These with the husband, mourn one of the most devoted of wives and mothers.

Mrs. Schoonover's sufferings were protracted through years and were intense, but borne with true Christian fortitude, brightening frequently into cheerfulness despite her pain. Her family life was ideal because of its affection, self-sacrificing devotion and harmony, and she had just completed 45 years of wedded life. She became a member of the Methodist church in the spring of 1863 and was connected with that church here in Vinton.

The funeral will be held at the residence Saturday morning at ten o'clock and burial will be at the cemetery near Garrison.