ELIZABETH (RICE) BROTHERS

RICE, BROTHERS, DALE, TICKNOR, BRIGGS

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 9/12/2002 at 20:27:29

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, June 5, l924

ELIZABETH BELNAP, daughter of PETER F. and RHODA ALLEN RICE, was born in Ruthland, Massachusetts, October 23, l882, where she grew to womanhood. In early life she went to Clinton, Mass., and was employed in the Lancaster gingham mills, but later on learned the tailor's trade in Worcester, Mass. On May l, l855, she was united in marriage to H.P. BROTHERS, who preceded her in death January 2l, l9l9. On June lst at 9 o'clock a.m., she passed away at the advanced age of 9l years, 7 months and 8 days, at the home of her eldest daughter, MRS. JOHN DALE, of Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, where she had made her home for the past four years. The deceased leaves 5 children to mourn the loss of a kind and loving mother: EUGENE G. BROTHERS and HATTIE P. DALE, of Leon, Iowa; HENRY E. BROTHERS, of Weldon, Iowa; JAMES C. BROTHERS, of Grand River, Iowa; and ALICE E. TICKNOR, of Taylor's Falls, Minnesota. She also leaves l7 grandchildren, l6 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. Also one sister, MRS. SUSAN BRIGGS, of Worcester, Mass., who is 94 years old, and a host of other relatives and friends, all of whom "knew her but to love her."

She and her husband came to Decatur County, Iowa, 57 years ago. She was one of those noble pioneer women, whose life was a blessing to all who knew her, Grandma, as we all called her, was quite feeble for several years, but no one ever heard a bitter word or a murmur of complaint from her dear lips, calm and dignified in manner, yet sweet and cheerful in disposition. It was a pleasure to be in her company. She retained her mental faculties in a remarkable degree but had almost lost sight and hearing before the end came. Of a sweet and gracious disopsition, she appreciated greatly all the kind and tender care which her devoted daughter bestowed upon her, and also that of the other childrren. When she was yet able to get about, she spent some months with others of the family where she was always an honored guest, but seemed to feel more at home with her oldest daughter.

She attended church services until she grew too feeble to go. She had accepted Christ as her Savior, having years ago signed a confession of her faith in Christ, which was on a card in the old family Bible. One night while the writer of this was lingering by her bedside to kiss her good night, she said, "I never close my eyes in sleep without saying my prayer," and so, we believe she has said her prayer, closed her eyes and is at rest.

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CARD OF THANKS.

We desire to express our appreciation of the many kindnesses and for the sympathy and help of our neighbors and other friends during the illness and death of our loved one.

THE FAMILY.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
September l2, 2002