DeMott, Susan 1822-1916

DEMOTT, YOUNG

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 4/18/2016 at 14:23:36

January 14, 1916 - Storm Lake Buena Vista Vidette - Mrs. Susan Young was born in Cork, Ireland, in December 1822. She remained there until she was about twenty years of age when she came to America.

She was married in 1846 to William Peter Young, a ship carpenter. In 1848 one son was born to this union, W.G. Young, of Storm Lake. In 1854 the husband met with an accident while at sea and lost his life.

In 1861 she was married to Elijah Pearsalt DeMott in Queens county, Long Island and lived with him about twenty years. In September 1881, he met with an accident while crossing a railroad track and died November 28, 1881.

June 9, 1882 Mrs. DeMott came to Storm Lake and for many years followed the profession of nursing being employed at Newell, Storm Lake and Alta, until she became too old, then her son and only child, built her a small house in the corner of his garden on his farm in Hayes township and here she lived until she became blind.

She insisted on remaining in the house and was humored in this tiny house until one cold morning her son went to the house and found the carpets afire and her life in danger. He decided then that it was best for her to be in his own home. She did not want to give up her little home and to the last would ask to be allowed to return to the same. She was blind for ten years. She was the last one of a family of four boys and three girls.

She died January 5, 1916 at four o'clock in the morning and funeral services were held at the home at half past twelve on January 7. Miss Forrest Geisinger, Mrs. Morton Hughes, Miss Mildred Smith, and Mr. Elden Smith and Wilbur Kaufman furnished the music. Mrs. DeMott was a member of the Lakeside Presbyterian church although by illness she had been prevented from attending for many years.

The following letter was given to the deceased when as a young girl she left her home in Ireland to seek her fortune alone in the new land: "This is to certify that Miss Young is a member of the church of Ireland. For the last twenty years she has been a pupil in my Parochial Sunday School and was admitted last year to the full membership of the church by confirmation. I have great pleasure in being able to certify to her steady and respectable conduct and consistent character and affectionately commend her to the charge of whatever Episcopalian minister she may in God's Providence be placed under. Dated March 5, 1847 and signed by the Chancellor of Cork, Rector of St Nicholas and John N. Woodroffe, Clerk.