Mary E. (Shawver) Crosswait (1923)

CROSSWAIT, SHAWVER, LONG

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/19/2014 at 15:42:43

Earlham Echo – Earlham, Iowa
March 8, 1923

Mrs. E. M. Crosswait, the little mother of the Crosswaits is dead. Her release from this life of pain and pleasure, travail, toil and triumphs came on February 26 after a brief illness with influenza that turned into pneumonia. Many people in this community knew her well and will miss the life has been called to a higher and broader sphere. The stalwart sons and the daughter whom she reared mourn her, too, but will carry on with her memory as their inspiration, ever thinking fondly of mother and the privilege which was theirs of associating with her in the years gone by. Her life was given to service. In addition brought her by her large family, she was often called upon by her neighbors in time of sickness, and as often responded to the call. There are many who have to remember her ministering care.

Mrary E. Shawver was born Sept. 25, 1848 at Plainfield, Indiana. She was married to Eli Mark Crosswait April 4, 1861 at Indianola, Iowa. To this union twelve children were born, seven of whom survive, six sons and one daughter. Oscar, the eldest died at Casper, Wyoming in 1921; Frank E. residing at New Rockford, Iowa, died in 1917; Will passed away in 1902, Stella died in infancy at Glenwood in 1873 and Charles Clarence died in Cass County in 1882 at the age of six years. The surviving children are: E. R. Crosswait of Lake City, Iowa; Joe, station at Camp Logan near Denver, Colo.; E. M. of Earlham, R. L., of Highmore, S. D.; Mrs. L. G. Long, of Fonda; Glen D. of Valley Junction and Don, of Denver, Colo. All these children with the exception of Don, were present at the time of mother’s death.

In 1871 the family moved to Glenwood, Iowa, and in 1881 to a farm in Cass County, engaging in farming. The move to Dexter was made in 1887, and residence there continued until the death of Mr. Crosswait in 1899, when Mrs. Crosswait moved to Earlham to be near her sons. The remainder of her life was spent with her children at their various homes, and it was through her visits with her sons at Earlham that she made a wide local acquaintance.

She was a faithful member of the Methodist Church, having her membership transferred from Dexter to Earlham, where it remained until her death. She was always active in church work and her Bible was her daily companion. Death came to her in her 79th year at the home of her son Glen in Valley Junction.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Dexter Wednesday, Feb. 28, and interment was made in the Dexter Cemetery. Rev. Louis Watson, former pastor of the deceased, preached the farewell sermon, taking his text from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and bringing a message of hope and cheer to the bereaved children.