Snethen, Christiana

SNETHEN, JONES, JORDAN, BENEDICT, SMITH, BOSWELL

Posted By: Sheryl McClure (email)
Date: 12/28/2019 at 23:12:02

At the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Jones, on February 4, 1917, there passed from the mortal body the spirit of Mrs. Christiana Snethen. Her age was 84 years, 11 months and 12 days.  She was born in Ontario county, New York, on February 21, 1832. In 1849, at the time of the excitement over the discovery of gold in California, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan, left Missouri for the Pacific coast, they and others going with teams over plains and mountains. In the great rush at that time many perished by the way, and among these were the mother and one small sister of Mrs. Snethen. Then upon her, when past seventeen, fell the responsibilities of a mother's work and care. But she went through the ordeal. About 1851 she married James Benedict and they returned east, to Illinois where he husband died in 1854. A little son had also died but a daughter still lives and is in Oklahoma. In 1858 in Stark county, Illinois, she married Mr. John Snethen. To them were born nine children of whom three sons died. Four sons survive her. All were present at the funeral of their mother. Besides her own eleven children, Mrs. Snethen also cared for and reared two other children, Mrs. Mary A. Smith and W. H. Boswell. Mr. Snethen died in March, 1899, when the family lived near Pleasanton, Iowa. Before that they resided at Davis City. They came to Iowa in 1876. In her youth she joined the United Brethren Church, but forty years ago became convinced of the truth of the Latter Day work and was baptized at Davis City, July, 29, 1877, by O. B. Thomas, and continued in that faith to the end. After 1899 she made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Grant Jones. Her living posterity are four sons and three daughters, fifty-five grandchildren, forty-three great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the home of Mr. Jones on Monday. Sermon and prayer by Elder H. A. Stebbins. Then the mortal form was taken to Pleasanton and buried by the side of her husband. Prayer at the grave by Otis White.  
(The Leon Reporter, Feb. 15, 1917)