HOLDAN, Martha (ROBERTS)

HOLDAN, ROBERTS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/25/2015 at 11:58:46

Obituary ~ Martha Holdan
March 20, 1807 ~ August 09, 1895

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa

Mrs. MARTHA HOLDAN died at the residence of her son, JOHN HOLDAN, in this city, on Friday, August 9th, 1895.

Deceased was born in the town of Eccles, England, March 20th, 1807, and at the time of her death was 88 years, 4 months and 20 days of age. Her maiden name was ROBERTS and with her husband and children she emigrated to the United States in the year 1848.

She first settled in New England but came to Decatur county in 1859. She was the mother of thirteen children only one who survived her, JOHN HOLDAN, with whom she resided. She leaves behind her eight grand-children and five great-grand-children. Some of her children are buried in England. One son died in the army and lies in an unmarked grave on the sandy shores of the Mississippi. On son is buried in Cheshire county, New Hampshire, and another at Providence, Rhode Island. Two daughters are buried in southern Iowa. A nephew was killed in the charge on Port Hudson and was buried in the trenches.

Mrs. HOLDAN joined the Baptist church of New Salem under the preaching of Revs. ABRAHAM STANLEY and J. B. EDMONSO. Her life was consistent, evincing many noble traits of The Christian character. Her end was peace.

A short service was held at the house of her son on Sabbath morning conducted by Rev. THOMAS DYALL, after which the remains were taken to the Baptist church at New Salem. Quiet a number of friends accompanied the remains to the church where further services were held and a short sermon preached. Very appropriately the words “At Rest” were engraved upon the beautiful casket, indicative of the condition of the freed and liberated spirit of the dear departed one. That heart will never have a sigh again nor that poor head ache. All storms of sorrow, affliction, care, anxiety and death are past. “At Rest” forever.

The deep drawn sigh which heaved the troubled breast,
Is now exchanged for sweet unbroken rest;
Who then regrets to quit earth’s darksome shore,
For that blest land were sorrow is no more.

Transcription by Sara Rose Joan LeFleur