Brownson, Asenath (Tyler) 1819 - 1897

BROWNSON, TYLER

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 9/20/2020 at 13:36:04

Elkader Register, Fri. morning, 19 Mar. 1897.

Death in his silent rounds has called another of the old settlers of Clayton county.

Mrs. Asenath Tyler Brownson died at her home in National, Monday, March 15th, at the advanced age of more than 77 years.

Asenath Tyler was born Aug. 13th, 1819, in North Lawrence, New York, here her early life was spent, until her twentieth year, when she met and married her deceased husband, Daniel Brownson, Dec. 19, 1839. The first few years of their married life were spent near her old home, when in 1846 they set their faces toward the untried west. After a long, hard journey by lake to Chicago, and with oxen from there they reached Iowa Nov. 6th, 1846. Without capital, but rather in debt, with nothing but strong hands, stout hearts, great hope and unbounded faith in the future of the new land to which they had come, they began life anew. Industrious, persevering, ambitious, they won their way to competence and prominence. Throughout all the hardships of their early life she did her part and did it cheerfully. Many and many a night the midnight candle burned that a pair of mittens or a grain sack suit might be ready for some neighbor on the morrow, thus adding a little toward the home they were building. In that home was a welcome to all, and many a lost or belated traveler found with joy the latch string out and greetings of good cheer, food and shelter with-in. Thus they went on, toiling, prospering. They rejoiced with their friends and neighbors in their prosperity, assisted them in adversity, ministered to them in their afflictions, and rendered to all every kind office which justice and humanity required.

As a reward they soon had a fine farm and a good home. In this home their family was reared and when their children went from it they were given a start in their independent life. Three of their children live to mourn her loss, while her grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered about her dying bed.

Her aged companion passed before her, his death occurring July 22d, 1891*. "Like full ripe schocks of corn they passed." They did their life's work well and faithfully. Those who look back over their lives of more than three score years and ten may read a lesson there. For they have have shown that by being honest, industrious, persevering and ambitious one may rise high in the love and esteem of his fellowmen and to prominence in his life work, whether the start in life be made with the influence of wealth or handicapped by poverty.

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Note: Daniel Brownson died in 1894, not 1891