McAlvin, Susan A. 1829 - 1910

MCALVIN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/2/2016 at 17:23:44

Waterloo Evening Courier, Mon., 7 Feb. 1910.

Susan A. McAlvin, spinster, eighty years of age and one of the pioneer school teachers of northeastern Iowa, died this morning at 6 o'clock, at the home of her nephew, Dr. J. G. McAlvin, 502 South street. Death was due to senility of old age, aggravated by recent illness. Some eight weeks ago the decedent fell from a chair, and while no bones were broken she was so badly bruised that she was unable to be up and about and an attack of pneumonia followed. There was recovery from pneumonia, but the wasted constitution was unable to withstand so many shocks and death came.

The decedent was born Dec. 28, 1829, at Springfield, N.H., and came to Iowa with her parents when about thirty years of age.

Before coming to Iowa Miss McAlvin had been engaged in teaching school in New Hampshire and she followed this occupation for a great many years after coming west. The family first located at McGregor, then thought to be destined to be one of the largest cities of the west doing a great volume of business at that time. Dubuque and Davenport had been established, but little business was done at either place.

She was a graduate of Colby Academy in her native state and for that time was well advanced in the school teaching methods. She became a factor in the educational advancement of northeastern Iowa at a time when public schools were only just established and they were far and few between.

Since 1898 she had made her home with her nephew, joining Dr. and Mrs. McAlvin in Cedar Falls that year. Two months ago the family came to Waterloo to make their home. They came here after a sojourn in California.

Of the family there are but two nephews surviving Miss McAlvin. They are Dr. McAlvin and his brother, Warren R. McAlvin, the latter of Salem, Oregon.

Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the home where death occurred - 502 South street. The decedent in her life time had been associated with the Congregational and Christian churches, and ministers of the Congregational faith will have charge of the services. The remains will be taken to Clayton county, Iowa, near McGregor for burial in a cemetery established by the McAlvin family when they first came to this state.