St. John, Esther C. (Adney) 1841-1925

ST JOHN, ADNEY, MINNEY, CUNNINGHAM, SMITH, PRESCOTT, EASTMAN, KLOTZBACH

Posted By: Doreen McMillen (email)
Date: 5/27/2004 at 12:42:04

Source - NORTHEAST IOWA TIMES, McGregor, Iowa. Issue dated May 28, 1925:

Esther C. Adney was born Oct. 17th 1841 at Vinton, Gallia Co., Ohio and died at the home of her daughter in Prairie du Chien Sunday, May 24th. On April 8th, 1855, her parents started for the west, taking steamboat passage at Galliopolis, Ohio, down the Ohio River to Cairo, from there up the Mississippi river to Missouri, then up the Missouri to Brunswick where they made a stop of several weeks, preparing for a journey by land through to Wisconsin. They left Missouri the 10th day of June. Mrs. St. John often said the fondest recollection of all that long journey was her trip through the natural flower gardens of Iowa. She also had the pleasure of viewing the four mile house as it was being built. It was then owned by George Eastman, brother of the late Mrs. Louisa Klotzbach. They reached the Mississippi river on the 11th day of July where they crossed on an old Government Flat boat run by tread power drawn by a span of mules. They went to the north end of Crawford County, Wis., where her father bought a quarter section of land and erected homes for three married children and his own family. Mrs. St. John taught the first two schools in Clayton township, Crawford County in 1858 and 1859.

Esther C. Adney was united in marriage to James R. St. John on Feb. 14th, 1860. In 1864 they moved to Clayton County, Iowa where they lived until recently at the old homestead on the foundation of the four mile house in Mendon township near McGregor. Her husband and three children, Isabel, Ida and Elva preceded her to the great beyond. Mrs. St. John, though of feeble strength, came from good old pioneer stock and continued to live on at the old home until Nov. 1919, feeling the state of her health would not permit her to remain longer there, sold the place and purchased a small house at McGregor near her daughter, Mrs. Florence Minney. Mrs. St. John had many friends, and as she sat in her quiet little home, she enjoyed many a chat with them as they would drop in each day, bringing a ray of brightness. But, when asked if she never got lonesome she would say, "I have this beautiful scenery to admire and so many blessings to enjoy, there is one who is always near me. I am never alone--I fear not." During her last illness, Mrs. St. John fully lived up to her words, enduring all suffering with the greatest of patience, trusting in her heavenly father, only waiting for the time when she could put all suffering aside and meet him face to face. Besides many friends she leaves to mourn her loss: Willard F. St. John of St. Paul, Minn., Florence M. Minney of Prairie du Chien, Mrs. Harry Cunningham and Mrs. B. L. Smith of Mason City, Iowa. The remains were brought here from Prairie du Chien and the funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon in the M. E. church, Rev. R. Prescott officiating.

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Thanks go to Charlene Barnhardt who researched the Adney's and sent me the copies!
Doreen McMillen
(Great-Great Granddaughter of John T. Adney and Sarah Oxberger)