Newberry, Hannah M. 'Marion' (Westfall) 1828-1905

NEWBERRY, WESTFALL, COYKENDALL, KINGSLEY, POLLARD

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:25

Elkader Register, Thur., 09 Feb. 1905. Strawberry Point column.

The death of Mrs. Jas. Newberry occurred last Friday after a few weeks of sickness. She at first was taken with the grippe which terminated into pneumonia. She bore her sickness patiently. Mrs. Newberry was married to Jas. Newberry in Brownhem twp., Lorain Co., Ohio, Nov. 25th, 1852. In 1855 they moved to Clayton county and for the first twenty-one years they engaged in farming and afterwards moved to this place where they have since resided. Five children blessed their home, namely: Mrs. Henry Kingsley, of Washington, D.C.; Frank, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Byron, Chas., and Kate all at home. Only one sister, Mrs. Pollard, of this place, besides the bereaved husband and children are left to mourn her death. She was a woman beloved by all and the sympathy of all is extended to the heartbroken family and sister. Funeral services occurred at the home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Dean, Rev. Hestwood and Rev. DePuy.

(Note: WPA records indicate Marion R. Newberry, 1828 - 03 Feb. 1905, buried in Strawberry Point cemetery.)

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Added by S. Ferrall 5/23/2021:

Friday morning, February 3d, 1905, at about 9:00, occurred the death of Mrs. James Newberry, after a short illness with the la grippe.

Hannah Maria Westfall, daughter of John M. and Sarah Coykendall Westfall, was born at Baldwinsville, Onondaga County, New York, on April 14, 1828.

At the age of eighteen years she moved with her father's family to the state of Ohio, where she taught school for a number of years.

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Westfall, in Brownhelm township, Lorain county, Ohio, on Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, 1852, James Newberry and Miss Hannah Maria Westfall were united in marriage. They resided there for over two years after their marriage, but in 1855 removed to Clayton county, Iowa, and in this county she has resided for half a century.

It is the pioneers who have made this country and the state of Iowa what it is. Not the pioneer men only, but the pioneer women. God bless them, who braved privation and toil, to lay the foundations of a mighty republic, and to whom the nation owes a debt of gratitude that it can never repay. They were not, as Mr. Newberry says, born with a gold spoon in their mouths. They realized the hard labor and sacrifice they would have to contend with on the farm western frontier, but strong of heart they set forth together, leaving the old home, with friends and kindred far behind.

In the fall of 1854 Mr. Newberry purchased a small farm three miles southeast of town. There was a small two room, one story house on the place. They moved into this residence, the first home they had ever owned, on the 23d of March, 1855. The family at that time consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Newberry and their son Byron, who was just beginning to talk. This was one of the happiest periods of their life, as they toiled to raise the mortgage, improve the farm, and later on build a larger and more commodious house and buildings.

For twenty-one years they lived on the farm, which Mr. Newberry still owns. At the end of that period they came to Strawberry Pint to reside, and this city has been their home for twenty-eight years.

Five children were born to them: Byron W., Frank J., Mary E., Charles W. and Kate G. Byron, Charles and Kate are at home, Mary E. Kingsley resides at Washington, D.C. and Frank resides at Los Angeles, California.

On the 25th day of November, 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Newberry celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, at which time a large number of relatives and friends were gathered at their home in commemoration of the event.

When death made his first break into the family circle the mother was the first to be taken. And she was a mother in the truest sense of the word. she had raised three sons and two daughters, and sent them forth to take up their duties in life, and to bear their share of the world's work, and what more could she do? There is no destiny greater than this.

She has performed life's duties nobly, faithfully and well. The world is the better for her having lived in it. The influence for good that she has exerted will never be lost. During her residence of fifty years in Iowa, she has made many friends. some have gone on before her, and others remain behind to mourn her departure. She has been blessed with a long life, but a life filled with noble and kindly deeds. Faithful in that which is least, she was faithful in much.

For more than twenty years she has been in poor health, but the pains and sufferings from physical ailments during these years had no effect on her kind, unselfish disposition. She was decidedly domestic in her tastes and her home and family were always uppermost in her thoughts. While she had the courage of her convictions, she was always tolerant of the opinions and considerate of the feelings of others, and never had a known enemy.

She was a noble, bright, unselfish woman. She possessed a cheerful, contented disposition and was one of those rare individuals who never grow old as the years advances, she was always young in mind and spirit. She was an extensive reader and a most excellent conversationalist.

For over fifty two years she lived a happy married life with her husband. Too few couples upon this earth is it given to live in wedded happiness together for over half a century. And the severing of these bonds of the greater part of a lifetime is one of the saddest experiences that come in life.

She is survived by her husband, five children, three grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Sarah E. Pollard of Strawberry Point, the only survivor of a family of eight.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of the deceased, and it was very largely attended. the services were conducted by Rev. J.F. Hestwood, assisted by Revs. F.A. Dean and O.C. DePuy.

"There is no death. The stars go down
To rise upon some other shore,
And bright in Heaven's jewelled crown
They shine forever more."

~The Mail-Press, Thursday, February 9, 1905 (included the photo)

Clayton Obituaries maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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