MERRIAM (DOWNS) CALDWELL

DOWNS, CALDWELL, VANDERBEEK, ALEXANDER, MCGUIRE, GUINN

Posted By: Nancee Seifert <iggy29@grm.net>
Date: 11/3/2009 at 16:41:03

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Iowa
Thursday, January 23, 1913

Mrs. MERRIAM CALDWELL, aged 79 years and for many years a resident of Clay
Township, Wayne County, died Friday evening at the home of her daughter, Mrs
E.H. ALEXANDER, in Leon, after a serious illness of several weeks. Six
weeks ago yesterday Mrs. CALDWELL fell and sustained severe injuries from
which she never recovered. She had enjoyed excellent health despite her
advanced age. The many Wayne and Decatur County friends will learn with
regret of this good woman's death.

MERRIAM DOWNS, daughter of WILLIAM and MARY DOWNS, was born in Stark County,
Ohio, December 12, 1833. On July 4, 1861, she was united in marriage to
JAMES CALDWELL at Lima, Ohio. Four years later Mr. And Mrs. CALDWELL moved
to Wayne County to make their home. A son, JAMES CALDWELL, lives on the
farm, a half mile north of Lewisburg, where his parents settled in an early
day. On January 19, 1887, Mr. CALDWELL died, and just twenty-six years
later to a day his wife was laid to rest.

Mrs. CALDWELL was raised a Quaker and remained a member of that church,
until she moved to Iowa in 1855. She then joined the Humeston Christian
Church of which Mr. CALDWELL was a member, and her membership has remained
in that church ever since. During all her suffering she exemplified all the
virtues of a follower of Christ.

Seven children survive her: G.C. CALDWELL, Denver, Colo.; Mrs. LILLIAN
VANDERBEEK, Akron, Iowa; W.W. CALDWELL, Belle Plaine, Kan.; Mrs. BARBARA
ALEXANDER, Leon, Iowa; Dr. EVA MCGUIRE, JAMES CALDWELL, Humeston, Iowa; Mrs
CORA GUINN, Three Hills, Canada. A daughter, BELLE, died in March, 1887,
only two months after her father's death, and a son, JOSEPH, died April 4,
1876.

For several years Mrs. CALDWELL made her home with her children. She was a
good, kind, lovable woman and held in high esteem by all who knew her. In
her younger days she was quite prominent in the community and county. Her
death has saddened the hearts of a host of friends.

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the
Lewisburg school house, conducted by Rev. Guy J. Fansher, pastor of the M.E.
Church of Leon.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
November 3, 2009
iggy29@grm.net

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