Mary Holmes Fagan, 1853-1929

HOLMES, FAGAN

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/16/2011 at 15:31:30

Mary Ellen Holmes was born at Talleyand, Keokuk County, Iowa, on January 22, 1853 and died at her home in Sioux Rapids, November 30, 1929 after a lingering illness of many months. At the time of her death her age was seventy six years, ten months and eight days.

She received her education in the public schools of Talleyrand, where she also grew to womanhood. She was united in marriage with John Fagan on September 8, 1879. To them were born six sons and four daughters. Two sons died in early childhood and one son, Anton L., died in 1910. In 1886 they moved to Keota, Iowa, where they lived until 1905, when they moved to Clay county and settled on a farm northwest of Sioux Rapids, where they lived until moving to Sioux Rapids in 1913. Since that time they have resided, here with the exception of a brief stay in Florida, where they spent two winters.

She joined the Methodist church in girlhood and on moving to this community in 1906 she transferred her membership to the Sioux Rapids Methodist church, in which she remained a faithful and untiring worker, respected and loved by all who knew her. When health permitted she was always found at the prayer services and the other services of worship. She found a real joy to serve and associate with the women of the Ladies Aid society. In her aassing the church has lost a beloved and faithful member.

She was a kind and loving mother, good neighbor and a sincere friend, She leaves to mourn her departure, her husband, three sons and four daughters: Mrs. Ressa Cady of Des Moines; Walter L. Fagan of Keota; Frank L. Fagan of Maynard, Minn; K. Lila Dubois of Sioux Rapids; Mabel L. Chalstrom of Gaza, la.; Howard L, Fagan of Linn Grove, Iowa; and Blanche L. Buckingham of Humboldt, Iowa. She Is also survived by two brothers and two sisers: Geo. W. Holmes of Deep River, Iowa; Clark E. Holmes of Sigourney, Iowa; Mrs. Eliza Hanning of Richand, Iowa; and Mrs. T. J. Brink of Spencer, Iowa. She also leaves 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and a host of neighbors and friends.

The funeral was held at the M. E. Church on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 3, at 2:30, conducted by the pastor, assisted by Rev. J. J. Jeffrey an old time friend. She was laid to rest in the Lone Tree cemetery.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; December 11, 1929.

Interment in Lone Tree cemetery
 

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