Egbert, Martha (France) died 1857

EGBERT, FRANCE

Posted By: S.Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 11/30/2005 at 13:40:28

Died at her residence near Monona, Iowa, on Saturday evening May 23rd, Martha, wife of Elmer Egbert, and daughter of Christian and Eliza France of Hudson, Indiana. The deceased was 27 years of age. We are too painfully affected with the loss which a cherished friend and brother has sustained in this bereavement to admit of a formal obituary notice. The recollection of the excellencies of the deceased, as a friend, a sister, a daughter, a wife and a mother, renders all effort at panegyric dull and pointless. Her illness was somewhat protracted but not until a few days preceding her death, was it deemed to be approaching fatality. Her Mother and the late family Physician, Dr. Reuben Pierce of St. Joseph Co., Indiana, were then sent for, and they came -- but alas! for the Maternal tenderness of the one, and the professional skill and friendly interest of the other, they arrived too late! Death had stilled forever the form that yearned to be pressed once more to the heart of a Mother, and the pale face of the unconscious sleeper returned no sign of recognition to the distracted gaze of an almost heart-broken Parent. In her death society has lost one of its brightest ornaments, three little children are motherless, and a husband whose affection knew no language capable of its expression is inconsolable in affliction! We would not attempt the mockery of consolation. Time, Religion and Philosophy, -- the consciousness that the loved one is an inhabitant of a more glorious world than this, and that an inseparable re-union will soon take place, can alone bind up the lacerated hearts. Life is but a dream at best and we must nerve our hearts to bear its trials.
"Sister! thou wert mild and lovely
Gentle as the summer breeze,
Pleasant as the air of evening
As it floats among the trees!"

source: North Iowa Times, May 29, 1857

[transcribers note: Martha Egbert is buried in the the Monona City cemetery]