Fitzgibbons, Sarah Margaret (Jennings) 1852 - 1939

FITZGIBBONS, JENNINGS, MORRIS, DOWNER, CHURCH, HUMPHREY, CRANDALL

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/3/2023 at 11:32:50

Clayton County Register, 01 Feb. 1939.

Strawberry Point: Funeral services for Mrs. Fitzgibbons were held in the Methodist church at Arlington, Monday, Jan. 23, conducted by Rev. Starr. Burial was made in the cemetery at Volga.

Sarah Margaret Jennings, daughter of Zachariah and Mary Morris Jennings, was born in Delaware county, Iowa, on July 21, 1852, and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. U. Downer, near Aurora, Jan. 21, 1939, at the age of 86 years and six months. When Sarah was a small girl the Jennings family settled on a homestead in Illyria township, now what is familiarly known as Steamboat Mound, just east of Wadena. Here together with five brothers and two sisters, she grew to womanhood. The house was made of logs with its large open fireplace and oven made of brick. The spinning wheel, dyeing, weaving and making of garments were arts of hers. Here the sight of deer and screams of the wildcat were not uncommon.

She acquired an education and for a number of years taught in the public schools of Fayette county. While still young, she was baptized and became a member of the United Brethren church. Then the country school house was also the place of worship, and here the Jennings family met with their neighbors for church services. Later during the pastorate of the Rev. W. W. Carlton, she became a member of the Methodist church in Arlington and remained a member during the remainder of her life. On March 15, 1875, she was married to Alonzo Fitzgibbons at the home of her friend, County Superintendent Quivy, in West Union. To this union one daughter, Mrs. Ella Downer, with whom she made her home since the death of her husband in October, 1912. She also became the mother of two stepsons, Eugene, then 3 1/2 years, and Marion, 19 months of age. She was a devoted wife and mother and worked far beyond the usual lot of man and woman, and even when necessity did not require, was still ambitious and interested in concerns of those she loved. Four brothers, Aaron, Joe, Ed and Dave, and one sister, Jane, preceded her. She leaves her sons, Eugene of Strawberry Point, and Marion of New Rochelle, N.Y., and her daughter, Ella of Aurora; three grandchildren, Mrs. David Church of New Rochelle, N.Y., Harold Downer of Aurora, and Mrs. Carrie Humphrey of Lamont; one great-granddaughter, Ann Church, of New Rochelle, N.Y.; one brother, George Jennings of Wadena, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Crandall, of West Union; numerous nephews and nieces and many friends who will always remember her friendly greetings and kindly interest.