Phillips, Losha Ann (Geer) 1813-1911

GEER, PHILLIPS, GOODWIN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 11/7/2005 at 04:32:45

Obituary.
F. N. Phillips recently handed us the following notice of his mother's death wich appeared in the Clayton County, Iowa, Register and Argus of February 23. The article should have appeared a couple of weeks ago but it came in on a paper day and the editor forgot it.

Losha Ann Geer was born in Rutland, Vermont, January 25th 1813, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lucy A. Goodwin, on the morning of February 18, 1911, aged 98 years and 25 days.

She was married to Welcome Horatio Phillips, March 20th, 1828. Their first home was in Pennsylvania from whence they went to Elgin, Ill., going by stage from Chicago. After residing at Elgin for ten years they moved to Iowa in 1854, and settled at Volga City, where they made their home for the remainder of their lives. Mr. Phillips passed to the life beyond April 9, 1891. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are living today, 27 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, who are bereft by the passing of "Grandma Phillips" as she was reverently called by all.

Grandma Phillips was a woman of fine presence, quiet habits and tastes, but of strong characteristics; and the early pioneer life of which she was a part, moulded and developed christian character in her, of which we who live in these later years know nothing. An honest, upright christian, she stood for all that was noblest in men and women, even after the activities of her life were practically over. Her bible was her guide and rule of conduct, and numerous marks testify to her frequent use of it. She was a great lover of nature, as all truly great souls are. The birds of the air and the dumb animals about her, all were her friends. She was in her youth a personal friend and neighbor of the great patriout John Brown, and could relate many reminiscences of his life to her children and grandchildren.

These are but a few incidents connected with her life and they but feebly portray the patient, heroic ministrations of nearly a century of right living and thinking. She was always found in her place on the Sabbath at public worship, until too feeble to attend longer. And thus has passed away from our midst another land mark of the early history of this community; and she will be missed not only by her immediate family, but by a large circle of friends and neighbors as well. Mary her influence for right living in the home and community be handed down to future generations.

There is no death! what seems so is transition;

This life of mortal breath
Is but a suburb of the life elysian

Whose portal we call death.

The funeral of Grandma Phillips was held at the M. E. church on Monday, February 20th, 1911, at 1:30 p.m. conducted by the Pastor, Rev. S. L. Bear. It was attended by a large circle of relatives and friends who thus sought to honor her.

source: Gridley Light, Coffee co. Kansas, March 24, 1911