Mary Gov Chase Brownell, 1831-1918

CHASE, BROWNELL, ARMS, MCCARGER

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/28/2012 at 06:46:55

PIONEER MOTHER LAID TO REST

Funeral Services For Mrs. Mary Brownell Held At Home Of a Daughter in Lincoln Twp. Sun.

Mary Gov Chase Brownell, widow of the late Joseph Brownell and highly respected resident of Clay county, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Arms, in Lincoln township at seven o'clock on Friday evening November 29, 1918. Her death was due to erysipalas and a general gradual breaking down of the system. She had been in failing health for some time past, being able to be up a part of the time but about two months ago was taken to her bed for the last time. Prior to her final illness she was remarkably spry and active for a lady of her age, 87 years, her mentality, vitality and physical ability being especially commended upon by all who knew her.

Mary Gov Chase was born in Ware, New Hampshire, August 3, 1831, a daughter of Nathan and Anna Chase, which family included eight children, five sons and three daughters. As a young lady she came to Iowa in 1853 living first at Muscatine and later at Springwater where in the year 1856 she was united in marriage to Joseph Brownell. They came to Clay county in the spring of 1869 and homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 12 in Lincoln township which has ever since been her home. Here Mr. Brownell died about twenty-six years ago. They were the parents of seven children—Mrs. Elizabeth Arms, of Lincoln township, Mrs. Carrie McCarger, of Oskaloosa, Edward, of Perry, N. E. and Ralph of Spencer, and two sons, deceased. Mrs. Brownell also leaves one brother, L. M. Chase, of this city and a sister who is a resident of Sherwood, Oregon.

Mrs. Brownell was a birthright member of the Friends church. In her younger days she took an active part in church and other good works. She lived a good Christian life to an age which comparatively few attain, and in her final days was tenderly cared for by the members of her family whom she lived to see grown up to man and womanhood.

Since the death of her husband she continued to reside on the old homestead until her final sickness when she was taken to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Arms, section 14 Lincoln township, which Mr. Arms homesteaded in the same year that Mr. and Mrs. Brownell located on section 12.

Funeral services were held from the Arms home Sunday afternoon, December 1st, at 1 o'clock. Rev. Harry Bantz, pastor of the Friends church of Greenville officiating. Burial was made in Riverside cemetery. The pall bearers were Messrs. August Grote, Bruce Noll, Wm. Killmar, E.C. Wade, H. Scott and Peter Swanson.

The family have the universal sympathy of Clay county people in the death of their mother who during her many years residence here, won a wide and lasting acquaintance.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; December 4, 1918.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

Clay Obituaries maintained by Kris Meyer.
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