Eliza Thomas 1846-1916

THOMAS, WORRALL, FAWCETT

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 8/10/2018 at 08:35:22

18 May 1916 - West Branch Times

Eliza Worrall, daughter of Isaac and Rachel E. Worrall, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, 8th month, 23d, 1846. Here her young girlhood was spent. The family removed to Cedar county, Iowa, in the fall of 1864, making the journey in covered wagons, as did so many of the early settlers.

She was united in marriage with William Thomas, 11th month, 27th 1867. For over 49 years a happy married life was sufficed them, their home being noted for its generous hospitality.

The young couple began house-keeping on a farm near West Branch, but in 1870 they moved to Tama county where they lived until 1881. Returning to Cedar county they lived on their farm one mile north of Centerdale until the winter of 1915, when they retired to West Branch.

The deceased was a birth-right member of the Society of Friends and was ever loyal to the highest ideals of this body. In the deliberations of the Society her wise counsel will be sadly missed.

She had not been well the past winter and for eight weeks prior to her death had been confined to her bed, where all that tender, loving care could do was done to brighten the sick room and alleviate her suffering.

On 5th month, 11, 1916, as the day was closing the life that had been lived so simply, so kindly, so unselfishly, passed peacefully away, the worn body was at rest and her spirit had returned to the God who gave it.

To have lived a life as Eliza Thomas lived it, was a triumph, and many there are whom she has cheered and helped over life's rugged way to rise up and call her blessed.

She is survived by her husband, three children, Emma and Bertha of West Branch, one son, Harley, of LaJord, Canada, and four grandchildren, sons of the latter. Two children, an infant son and a daughter Elizabeth Fawcett, preceded her to the Great Beyond. There are also left to mourn their loss, one sister, Sarah E. Worrall, of West Branch and two brothers, W. P. Worrall of Pasadena and J. G. Worrall of Centerdale.

Funeral services were held from the home First day afternoon with interment in the Hickory Grove cemetery.

Those attending the funeral from a distance were: W. D. Ady and wife of Toledo, Iowa; M. G. Shadle and Ida Emmons of Whittier, Iowa; Pearson Hall, Springville, Iowa; H. A. Thomas and son, Minard, of LaJord, Sask., Canada and Loie Randall of Iowa City.