BABCOCK, Kate A. (Emerson) 1834-1908

BABCOCK, EMERSON, MCFARLAND, EVANS, HURD

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 6/13/2014 at 16:21:30

[New Hampton Gazette, March 5, 1908]

Kate A. Emerson was born in the city of Rochester, New York, Dec. 20, 1834, and died in New Hampton, Iowa, Feb. 26, 1908. She was the daughter of Reuben Emerson, who was a cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Her age was 73 years, 2 months and 6 days.

Embraced within the parenthesis of these dates was a life of earnest endeavor; of duties faithfully and cheerfully done; of kindness and charity and love.

She was united in marriage to C. E. Babcock in Janesville, Wis., Feb 28, 1853, with whom she lived in loving companionship for more than fifty years. His death occurred in New Hampton Nov. 3, 1903.

To them twelve children were born, all of whom are living except Mary, the first born, who died in infancy, and Arthur, who died in Fredericksburg Oct. 16, 1896. The surviving children in the order of their ages are: X. A. Babcock of Sanborn, Iowa; Will E. of Riceville; Fred J. of Waucoma; Mrs. Bertha McFarland of New Hampton; Harry of Heber, Ark.; Herbert Z. of New Hampton; Mrs. Gertrude Evans of Elma; Reuben E. of Heber, Ark.; Mrs. Maude Hurd of Waucoma; and Claude Babcock of New Hampton.

She leaves twenty-five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Soon after their marriage they removed to Kirtland, Ohio, but after a short residence there they removed to Green county, Wis., and in a few years removed to Leavenworth, Kan., to live. From Kansas they came to Iowa in the early sixties and located in Fayette county. This part of Iowa has been their home since then.

Two years ago the deceased suffered a stroke of paralysis and had been a great sufferer much of the time since then. This affliction she bore with her accustomed patience and fortitude, as she ever bore the trials and burdens of life. An attack of pneumonia a few weeks since, from which she recovered, no doubt weakened her frail hold upon life and hastened the end, which came about 11 p. m. of last Wednesday.

Measured by the standard of good deeds, her life was a success. In all the relationships of life, as wife, mother, and friend, she proved true and steadfast. She was a true woman.

By nature she was patient, cheerful, kind, charitable and unselfish; and these qualities won her friends where-ever she was known. Her splendid virtues were an inspiration to her family and her friends. She was the light of a home in which kindness was duty and love was law. How unselfishly she worked for others! How sympathetic her words, how light her touch, how soothing her influence to the sick and the afflicted!

The love she gave her husband and children, and the love they gave her in return, was boundless, measureless. In all the world there is nothing else so admirable; nothing else so worthy of our reverence, as a fond and faithful wife and mother.

With saddened hearts we consign her body to the tomb. Yet mingled with our sadness there is joy--joy in the thought that this dear woman lived so nobly as to leave the impress of her deeds upon our lives, to help and strengthen us in hours of sore temptation.

"Is not influence immortal? Shall not a worthy example, a true thought, a noble act, no matter how humbly born, wear its life and do its work through all the years to come?"

"And we are sure that those who saw her last,
In that dim vista, which we call the past,
Who never knew her old and laid aside,
Remembering best the maiden and the bride,
Had sprung to greet her with the olden speech,
The dear sweet names no later lore can teach,
And 'Welcome home!' they cried and grasped her hands;
So dwells the mother in the best of lands."

The funeral services at the M. E. church in New Hampton Sunday afternoon were conducted by Dr. Parker and Rev. Robinson, Dr. Parker preaching a beautiful funeral sermon, after which she was laid to rest in Graceland Cemetery.