NORTHRUP, Malissa Florence (BROWN)

BROWN, NORTHURP, SHAW, GILL, BARTLETT, FARQUHAR

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/27/2015 at 19:00:30

Obituary ~ Malissa Florence (Brown) Northurp
May 14, 1842 ~ June 15, 1924

Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Malissa Florence, daughter of Hugh and Harriet Brown, was born in Huron County, Ohio, May 14, 1842, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J.F. Gill, June 15, 1924, aged 82 years, 1 month and 1 day.

With her parents she left Norwalk, Huron County, Ohio, Sept. 20, 1854, in a covered wagon, crossing the Mississippi River on a ferry boat and arrived at Garden Grove, Iowa, the last day of December, 1854, and settled on a farm one mile south of town where she grew to womanhood. She received her education in the Garden Grove School and was a student of Prof. R.A. Harkness. She was one of Decatur County's pioneer educators having taught a number of years in the public schools. When the Civil War called to arms her brothers, she was no less active to sustain them in battle and acompanied by other ladies of Garden Grove, went to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis to encourage and assure the soldiers of their loyal support.

December 22, 1865, she was married to A.C. [Albert Coe] Northup, and to this union were born six children: Mrs. G.L. Shaw, of Wiggins, Colo.; Mrs. J.F. Gill; Mrs. Downing Shaw; Albert E.; Harvey L; and Clyde A.; all of Garden Grove, who were all constantly endeavoring to relieve her suffering. Besides her six children she leaves to mourn her loss, two brothers; Capt. J.D. Brown, of Leon; Walter P. Brown, of Garden Grove; two sisters, Mrs. Susan Bartlett, of Garden Grove; Mrs. Fanny Farquhar, of Winterset, Iowa; and twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church and a loyal worker in the Woman's Relief Corps. A loving and tender mother has gone from our midst. She had reached four score years, three score and ten having been spent in our midst, her death occurring within one-half mile from where she grew to womanhood.

Though four score years had passed, she was not old, for the power of mind and soul did not share the decline of physical strength and the intense interest she felt in her loved ones kept her spirit young and strong.

While she endured great suffering, yet when the summons came, it came suddenly, but found her house in order and she sank peacefully to rest. She rests from her labor and her works follow her, even though we feel her loss most deeply may we find the bitterness of grief assuaged in the contemplation of this life spent in loving service.

A brave soul has passed on but we will not say goodby for we hope to greet her again in the morning.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Pastor, Rev. Huffman and interment was in the Garden Grove Cemetery.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2015