Lewis, Agnes (Sloan) 1830-1903
LEWIS, SLOAN, JOHNSTON, KEENAN, NICHOLS
Posted By: S. Ferrall IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 1/2/2013 at 00:47:54
Death called Mrs. Agnes Lewis home Thursday evening, March 19, 1903.
For some time past she had made her home with her son, Thomas, and family in Elgin. Her illness was a lingering one and she gradually grew weaker until the end came.
At the time of her death Mrs. Lewis was over 72 years of age and she leaves a family of grown children to mourn their loss. Short services were held at her late home Saturday and the body of the loved one was then taken to Volga City where services were held in the church.
Interment was made in the Volga City cemetery. The sorrowing family has the sympathy of the entire community.
~Elgin Echo, March 26, 1903Note: The Volga City cemetery is aka Hillcrest cemetery
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Added by Reid R. Johnson 9/24/2016:
Elkader Register, Thur., 2 Apr. 1903. Highland column.
Mrs. Agnes Sloan Lewis died Thursday March 19th, 1903 at the home of her son Thomas Lewis, of Elgin, after an illness of several months. Deceased was born at Muirkirk, Ayrshire, Scotland, Aug. 30th, 1830. She was the only daughter of David and Ellen Johnston Sloan. Her early years were spent in her native town where she received her education. On Jan. 14th, 1848 she was united in marriage to Wm. Lewis and came with her husband to America in the year 1849. After landing in New York they settled in Kane county, Ill., where they made their home until 18__ (looks like 1857 or 1867), in which year they came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Highland township, Clayton county, making this their home until 1890 when they left the farm to spend their remaining years at Volga. To Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lewis were born twelve children, nine of whom are living: Thomas, of Elgin; Wm., attorney at Guttenberg; Dr. John M., of Canton, S.D.; James, of Canton, S.D.; Dr. David W., of Inwood, Iowa; Alfred, of Palmer, Iowa; Arthur, of Canton, S.D.; Mrs. Frances Keenan, of Monticello, Minn.; and Mrs. Charles Nichols, of Fredrick, Wis.
Mrs. Lewis' devotion to her family was in keeping with her whole life. She never desponded, but was ever seeking to serve. She lived for the good that she might do. The desire to be useful found expression in the performance of home duties and in religious work. She united with the Free church at the early age of sixteen and in the year 18__ (looks like 1894) became a member of the Presbyterian church at Volga. She won the love and respect of all who knew her by the power of her Christian character. All through her illness she was brave and patient, never murmuring. She was willing to go and said she had nothing to fear. After three days of unconsciousness she slipped quietly away to the land of peace where her husband had preceded her.
These are the outline facts of a life that had in it a depth of beauty, an influence and purpose that mere words can tell very little about. With the eye of faith she saw the divine hand of her Master leading her. Here was an intense spiritual nature, a nature that did not content itself alone with wisdom and private devotion, but one that found expression in helpful service. How to make another happy, to exert an influence that would make other lives higher and holier, to say some word that would comfort and cheer - these made up the ambition of her life. She has always been with God. Her life has passed on before to that world of light where there is no groping in darkness, no limited faculties. She will ever live on earth in the lives made noble by her influence. As refracted light makes the star visible after it has passed below the horizon, so memory will keep the sweetness and beauty of this life present with us; though she has gone before us for a little while.
The body was brought from Elgin to Volga for burial. The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at the Presbyterian church conducted by Rev. W. H. McCuskey, the pastor of the deceased. The choir rendered fitting music and many of Mrs. Lewis' old time friends were present to pay their last respects to her whom they loved and honored.
Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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