Minnie Schofield 1872-1907

SCHOFIELD, FRENCH, SMITH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 1/22/2019 at 09:39:14

26 December 1907 - West Branch Times

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People of this community were shocked on Saturday evening when a telegram from B. F. Schofield at Des Moines informed them that his wife had been killed by the cars at 10 o'clock that day.

It was later learned that she with her niece, Miss Alice French, and Miss Emily Trafford were crossing the Great Western tracks in Southwest Des Moines and the buggy was struck by a rapidly moving passenger train, which resulted in the instant death of Mrs. Schofield. Miss French died the same day and Miss Trafford still lies in the hospital seriously if not fatally injured.

The Schofields had moved to Des Moines about two months ago from West Branch. The remains were brought here and the funeral was held on Christmas day from the Presbyterian church of which she was a member.

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Minnie Ann Smith was born in Johnson county, Iowa, Oct. 20, 1872. Died in Des Moines, Dec. 21, 1907, aged 35 years, 2 months and 1 day.

She was married to Benjamin Schofield, Mar. 29, 1893. To this union was born one daughter, Edith, also a son, who died in infancy.

Her whole life was spent in this community until about a month ago when the family moved to Des Moines to make their home there. The last few years of her life were devoted largely to caring for her aged parents, both of whom preceded her in death within the past year.

She, with her husband, united with the West Branch Presbyterian church Nov. 4, 1893. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, living a quiet, earnest Christian life in the home and community where her cheerful, self-sacrificing spirit has been ever manifest.

Her sudden taking away has been a great shock to all who knew her, and especially to the devoted husband and young daughter, who, with five sisters and two brothers, together with a host of friends, deeply mourn her early removal from the earthly to the heavenly home.