Chapman, Mary Jellings 1833 - 1912

CHAPMAN, JELLINGS, SIMS, SOHNER, BENNINGTON, TENNY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 3/12/2023 at 09:41:55

Elkader Register, Thur., 21 Mar. 1912. Volga column.

Mary Jellings Chapman was born at Huntington, England, Dec. 05th, 1833, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Samuel Bennington, in Volga, Ia., March 18th, 1912, aged 78 years, 3 months and 13 days.

On April 7th, 1855, she was united in marriage to Mr. Ingle Chapman in the city of Lockport, N.Y., the officiating clergyman, who had charge of that ceremony, was the Rev. H. L. Dox, who was at that time pastor of the Eng. Lutheran church, of that place, and which was then the church home of the deceased. Immediately after their marriage they commenced housekeeping in the city of London, Canada.

In 1855 these western hills and valleys became attractive to them and one day they found themselves journeying toward the Golden Gate and, after many days of travel, they located on a farm in Highland township, which place continued to be their home until 1896, when they moved to Volga City, where they remained for only a few months, due to the fact that death stole into their home on the 23rd of October of that same year and took from this dear wife and mother the man who had been her constant companion. From that time forward Mrs. Chapman made her home with her children.

Soon after coming into Iowa the deceased became united with the Baptist church and for some time was actively identified with that organization, when by force of circumstances the local church was obliged to discontinue, she identified herself with the Christian church and was constant adherent to that organization up to the time of her death.

Besides a host of friends, many of whom have known her for these many years, she leaves to mourn her loss five sons and three daughters: John I., of Waterloo; Emma Sims, of Waterloo; Susan Sohner, of Waterloo; Fred W., of Waterloo; and Clara E. Bennington and Libby M. Tenny, both of Volga City. She was also the mother of Nellie E., who was the sixth child that was born to this union who passed out of this life May 27th, 1874. All of these children were at the bed-side of their mother when the final summons came.

Her death occasions deep sorrow for the loss of a devoted mother, a useful neighbor, a faithful friend and a loving kinswoman. Rev. Bear of the M.E. church officiated. Funeral services were held in the Presbyterian church Wednesday morning.

(Note: It appears the number of sons and daughters were exchanged as three sons and five daughters are named as survivors.)