Corlett, Catherine Amanda (Crawford) 1833 - 1906

CORLETT, CRAWFORD, HALLETT, HAMILTON, LANGE

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 4/29/2017 at 12:21:12

Elkader Register, Thur., 23 Aug. 1906.

Catherine Amanda Crawford, eldest daughter of James and Eleanor Crawford, was born in Pike County, Pennsylvania, Sept. 17, 1833. Her girlhood days were spent in attending the public schools of her native state, and later finished her education in Mount Retirement Seminary, Libertyville, N.J., after which she taught school in New York until her marriage to John E. Corlett, which occurred May 3, 1851.

After five years residence in New York this young couple came as pioneers to Iowa, arriving January, 1856, and settling in Farmersburg township, where for forty-two years this brave woman gave her life, her strength, her very self to the work of her home and the rearing of her children of whom twelve called her mother. Nine boys and three girls blessed this old home and all lived to manhood and womanhood, but three manly sons, Lucas A., Charles A. and Samuel D., went in early life to the glorious beyond and were waiting to welcome their mother.

The children remaining are Horace B., of Ames, Iowa; Mrs. Ella Hallett, of Sterling, Ill.; Frank J., of Farmersburg; James E., of Elkader; Willard B., of Henrietta, Texas; Mrs. Amy Hamilton, of Nora Springs, Iowa; Mrs. Jeannette Lange, of Rolf, Iowa; Cyrus C., of Summers, Ark.; and Leroy E., of Oskaloosa, Iowa. All these children were privileged to see and wait upon their mother during her last illness and of her it can be truly said "her children rise up and call her blessed."

Mrs. Corlett united with the Presbyterian church in her youth in Pennsylvania and upon coming to Iowa placed her membership with the M.E. church near Farmersburg, and from thence brought her letter to the M.E. church at Elkader, where it was one of her greatest pleasures to listen to the preaching of His word. In her church life she was an untiring worker, doing with her might anything that would advance the spiritual and material interests of her church. Her life was a beautiful exemplification of her faith in Christ and the embodiment of His teachings. Many deeds of helpfulness and charity where most needed were performed quietly and unostentatiously by this sainted woman. Her deeds, her lovely Christian character, her very life was a pean of praise to her Redeemer.

In 1898, with her husband, she came to Elkader, where they have since resided and from which she went to her Father's mansion Aug. 19, 1906.

On May 4, 1906, she was attacked with a stroke of apoplexy since which time she has been very frail, gradually growing more so each day, fading like a flower before the eyes of her husband, children and friends. Through all these weary days and nights of suffering no word of complaint came from her lips, but with a patience passing understanding everything was "very good," she was always "quite comfortable" and everything was all right in every way. When the end came she passed from this world into eternity with a smile. Her last words were "bye oh, bye oh" a refrain so often heard these last few months.

Rich in years, in good deeds, in the affection of her friends, in the love of husband and children, this sainted woman has gone to her reward amidst the tears, heart aches and lamentations of all who know her.

"She had charity for all,
But ill will for none.
She has answered the call,
Her life work well done.
Tho the three score and ten is passed
And she has gone home,
Her good deeds will last
Through long years to come."

The funeral was held Tuesday morning at the Congregational church, Rev. A. S. Hock officiating. After the service the remains were taken to Farmersburg twp., where interment was made. Messrs. D. D. Murphy, G. H. Schulte, M. Dittmer, H. D. Brown, W. F. Reinecke and W. W. Davidson served as pall bearers.