LYDIA A. (SAWYER) SHAW

SAWYER, SHAW, STANLEY, YOUNG

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 7/20/2002 at 17:23:19

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, February 22, l923

LYDIA A. SAWYER was born July l6th, l840, in Kennedyville, Chautauqua County, New York, and died at her home in Garden Grove, Iowa, Feb. 6th, l923.

She came with her parents to Burlington, Wis., where she resided until their death in l854, attending the academy, as it was then called, while there. Later she returned to New York and Ohio, and while in Ohio she attended school at Oberlin, returning to Wisconsin in l857. She came with friends to Garden Grove in the early summer of l858 and was united in marriage to GEO. W. SHAW, Jan. 6th, l859. To this union were born three daughters and six sons, all of whom have grown to womanhood here except one daughter, EVANGELINE, who died in childhood. The living are: MRS. CORALIE L. STANLEY, of Vinita, Okla.; MRS. THYRZA S. YOUNG, of Garden Grove; NATHANIEL L. and SHERMAN, of Heppner, Ore.; WARDER, of Leroy, Iowa; DOWNING, of Garden Grove, Iowa; MARK M., of Omaha, Neb; and BUEL F., of Des Moines, Iowa. There are also twenty-one grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and a sister-in-law, MISS SARAH SHAW, of Garden Grove. Her husband died Jan. l9th, l892.

Through the years of early pioneer life with its privations and hardships, and the long years of widowhood, her beautiful Christian character grew in strength and beauty. She was an active worker in the W.C.T.U. and was made a life member in l9l5. She was also a faithful member of the W.R.C. for a good many years. Her tender sympathy always went out to the suffering and sorrowful.

She was a devoted and loving mother. While we so sorely miss her dear presence, we rejoice in the knowledge that she has gone to that beautiful land where there is no pain or dying.

MRS. SHAW sought and found her Divine Master early in life. As the longest rivers are usually the broadest, so well ripened age is most expansive, yet at the source, life, like a river is but a sparkling spring. The rippling waves and the steady flow of the little brook forces an outlet for itself and makes a river bed. There flows into its banks lesser streams whose waters broaden and deepen and increases the current which carries volumes to the sea. The source of great rivers are not large but inexhaustable, surviving the greatest drouths, and fruitless seasons, pressing on unchecked.

Grandma SHAW, as we all knew her, grew to be an expansive spiritual influence for Christ in our community. She was an example of goodness and Christ-likeness that bespoke a power within, and was a constant testimony of Christian faith and character. Her life of prayer and faith in God linked with untiring effort in service brought ample reward to her. She saw every child of her own and many of her grandchildren find her Savior. The desire of her heart had been for many years to see a revival meeting. And as an evidence of God's goodness and answer to her prayer, she was permitted to witness the conversion of many during the last series of three weeks' duration, and attended all three nights of these services.

She will be greatly missed in the various departments of the M.E. Church where she has been a most faithful (*can't read - paper torn) duty with faithful service came to a most fitting close. It seemed to one who has known her Master and learned something of His kind heart and gentle words, as if His voice is heard to say, "Come ye blessed of my Father and enter into the joy of thy reward."

The funeral services were conducted from the M.E. Church, Thursday afternoon, Feb. 8th by her Pastor, Rev. Andrew and Rev. George, of Humeston, and the W.R.C. attended in a body and paid a fitting tribute to their departed member. The body was laid to rest in the beautiful Garden Grove Cemetery.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
July l8, 2002