Sarah Catherine (Fry) Sumpter (1927)

SUMPTER, FRY, HUTCHINS, KIPPING

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/8/2014 at 15:54:12

Earlham Echo – Earlham, Iowa
May 19, 1927

Sarah Catherine Fry, daughter of James W. and Elizabeth Jane Fry, was born near Morgantown, West Virginia, November 22, 1852, and died at her home near Earlham, Iowa, May 15, 1927, at the age of 74 years, 5 months and 23 days.

James Fry, with his family moved from West Virginia, living first at Wheeling and then near Vincennes, Ind., and when Sarah was seventeen years of age, to the Fry home two miles west of Earlham. She was the fourth of eight children—five boys and three girls—five of whom survive her, one sister and four brothers.

On January 29, 1874, she was married to George W. Sumpter and came to live at the Sumpter farm in Bear Creek neighborhood near Earlham. Five children were born to this union, Will of Van Meter, Charley of DeSmet, S. D., Mary Hutchins and Grace Kipping of Redfield and Eddie living on the adjoining farm.

Sarah Sumpter has lived an active life. Her interests have been largely centered about her own home and family, but in times of sickness, life and death she was often found in the homes of others as a friend and helper. She was a good woman, quiet, cheerful, loved by everyone, and was “Aunt” Sarah to the entire neighborhood.

Her health has not been good for a number of years, but she was able to go about her usual home duties and occasionally visit her children and friends who were near, until Wednesday, May 11th, soon after returning from Redfield, she was stricken with paralysis from which stroke she never regained consciousness. Medical aid was quickly summoned and the loving care of the family given but on the evening of May 15th she quietly fell asleep.

She is mourned today by her husband and companion of over fifty years, her children, brothers, sisters, seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren and the entire neighborhood, as she was a friend to all.