VALENTINE, Melinda (Smith) 1825-1894]

VALENTINE, SMITH, REINHART, WELLMAN

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/19/2013 at 23:02:55

[Waterloo Courier, Wednesday, May 2, 1894]

Mrs. Peter Valentine died at the home of her son, Orrin Valentine, in Clarksville, last Friday after a brief but severe illness of heart trouble. The maiden name of the deceased was Matilda Smith. On January 28, 1825 she was born in Herkimer County, New York and was married September 14, 1848, to Peter Valentine. They moved to Illinois from Herkimer County, residing there a short time, and then settled on a farm at the edge of Bremer County near the Black Hawk line, about 40 years ago.

At that time the country was new and sparsely settled. They began with scarcely anything and succeeded by industry and economy in amassing quite a fortune. The family resided on the old homestead up to the first of March, when it was their intention to move to Waterloo where they could enjoy their declining years. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine went to Clarksville to spend a few weeks visiting their son and it was there that the deceased was taken sick.

A husband and six children survive her. The children are Charles Valentine, living at Egan, S.D.; Mrs. Fred Reinhart, living on a farm about 10 miles north of Waterloo; Orrin Valentine, living at Clarksville; Mrs. C. H. Wellman, living at Sioux City; L. M. Valentine, living in Waterloo; and W. D. Valentine of Pender, Nebraska.

Funeral services were held at Clarksville yesterday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Mrs. Niece of Shell Rock. The body was shipped to this city, arriving here this forenoon, and interred in Fairview Cemetery, brief services being held at the grave.

Those who knew Mrs. Valentine speak very highly of her moral character and her private life. She was a model mother and dutiful wife. The husband is prostrated with grief. Mr. Valentine has extensive real estate interests here, being owner of the Corey Valentine block on East Fourth Street. All his daughters being married it is hard to tell where he will decide now to make his home.

----------------------------------
Buried at Fairview Cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa