Mariam Tomlinson 1840-1893

TOMLINSON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/19/2018 at 09:10:58

13 July 1893 - West Branch Times

DIED Saturday July 8t, 1893, at her home in Downey, after a lingering illness, MARIAM, wife of E. C. Tomlinson, aged 53 years 2 months and 20 days.

Again has that grim and remorseless reaper, death, visited our little hamlet and chosen for his victim one of the most estimable members of our society. The death of Mrs. E. C. Tomlinson will be announced in this, and other papers, yet, it seems to the writer of this tribute to her memory, that the death of one so widely and favorably known in this community, worthy of more than a brief notice. The character of Mariam Tomlinson was a marked and decided one; her friendship was as firm as the foundation on which she rested her faith.

She was born in Belmot Co., Ohio, in April, 1840, and reared to the society of Friends', of which her parents were members. She imbibed all the frankness and honesty of purpose and characteristics of that sect; and at the age of 20 she united with the Presbyterian church, and after moving to Iowa in 1868, with the M.P. church at Downey. She always retained in loving rememberance the plain teachings of her former faith. In her mind there was no swerving from what she thought was right and just, though others might differ from her opinions, she commended and held their respect through life, as was made manifest by the large gathering of friends and neighbors who followed her remains to their last resting place, in the Friends grave yard, in Scott township, Johnson county. Her mature years were devoted to her church and her God, she was what is termed an active christian, ever foremost in efforts directed to the prosperity of one, and acknolwedging of the other. In social life she was a congenial companion among the young and old, alike the soul of hospitality and good cheer; she was never more pleased than when entertaining her many friends in her own home; as a housekeeper she was a model of neatness and order, but her character shone brightest when she ministered to the wants of her once unbroken family a loved husband and a devoted son and daughter; but eleven years ago death claimed the most beautiful flower in her family garland and carried it to God; a loss from which she never recoverd and could not be reconciled. Her husband and son still held her to life by their devoted affection, but her heart strings had been loosened by her loss, and life was no longer the reflection of former happiness. That home now wrecked and desolate will long remain a sad memory in our broken social circle. J.F.S.