Margaret Gongwer 1852-1906

GONGWER, TAYLOR

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/8/2019 at 09:19:46

12 April 1906 - West Branch Times

Margaret Ann Taylor was born near Alliance, Ohio, Aug. 22, 1852, and died at her home, near West Branch, Iowa, April 7, 1906.

She was married to H. C. Gongwer at Alliance, Ohio, in 1875. In 1876 they came to Benton county, Iowa. In 1883 they removed to Lyon county and in 1889 they came to West Branch, where they have continued to make their home. Three children were born in this home, but the daughter, when only about two years of age, was taken home to dwell with the angels, where the mother has now gone. There remain the husband and two sons, Elgie and Loren, to cherish the precious memory of the dear wife and mother, who now beckons them toward the heavenly world. Five brothers and two sisters of the departed are still living, one brother having passed on before.

Mrs. Gongwer united with the Presbyterian church when about eighteen years of age. When they came to West Branch, she, with her husband, united with the Methodist Episcopal church. She was a sincere and devout Christian, quiet and modest in manner and thoughtful of others interests. She was a lover of God's house, and was a faithful attendant in its services when health permitted. She delighted in her home and sought to fill it with the social atmosphere of love and good will. She was a home maker, and in hers, dwelt happiness and peace. There she will be missed most of all. Death was no strange subject to her. She had thought of it often, during the last two or three years of declining health. She knew well the possibilities of the near future. Death had no terrors for her. The other world was glorious and attractive. The interest that held her most strongly to this present life was the welfare of her two sons, that they might continue in the Christian life and become useful men. How natural that a mother's heart, under such conditions, should go out for her children. She rejoiced that she lived to see her sons in the church and engaged in Christian work. I am sure, if this mother is permitted to look down upon this earth from the heavenly world, nothing would rejoice her heart more, than to see those of her dear ones who remain here faithfully and lovingly engaged in Christian service, and doing all they can to bring the kingdom of heaven upon this earth. It was a great comfort to the family that she was conscious until the last. She knew them all and spoke to them from time to time. As her life was fast ebbing away, when the friends were gathered near her bed, her eyes searched through the company until they rested upon the faces of husband and sons, seeming to realize that their faces would soon vanish from her sight, until she should see them again in glory. She was thoughtful until the last. Only a little time before she passed away, she requested that prayer be made, and we kneeled by the bed of the dying wife and mother and committed her to the care of our Heavenly Father, who doeth all things well. She was a great sufferer, but bore her sufferings patiently. She is now free from all this. In that heavenly world whither she has gone, "No pain or sickness enter there." We could not wish her back to this world of suffering. Hers is the gain, while those who remain have suffered the loss.

The funeral service was held in the Methodist Episcopal church, Tuesday morning, April 10th, at eleven o'clock and was conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. B. Davis. A large number of friends attended this service, to express their sympathy with the bereaved husband and sons and relatives. Among the beautiful floral tributes were two from two of the Sunday school classes, represented by the two sons, one as teacher and the other as scholar.