LAURA (BOZARTH) WATSABAUGH

BOZARTH, WATSABAUGH, FLORA, GRAHAM

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 3/19/2002 at 20:28:46

Decatur County Journal
Thursday, May 24, l9l7

LAURA ALICE BOZARTH, daughter of WESLEY and LOTICIA BOZARTH, was born at Davis City, Iowa, April l7, l867, and died at the home of her brother, F.W. BOZARTH, May l3, l9l7, aged fifty years and twenty-seven days.

During her early girlhood the family lived in Smith County, Kansas. Here at the age of thirteen she was thrown from a horse, bringing her near to death's door, and from the effect of which she never knew what it was to be in good health, making her life one of suffering and many times she was very seriously sick. Notwithstanding this she was always fearless in spirit, never wavering from any course that seemed right, and her health permitting was always found taking an active part in the church and better social activities of the community where she lived.

The family later returned to Davis City, where she grew to womanhood, completed the course of study given here, then attended the college at Burlington, Iowa, after which she taught school near Bethany, Mo., and later in Nebraska, and later attended the college at Chillicothe, Mo., taking a course in vocal and instrumental music.

December 24, l89l, she was united in marriage to DANIEL W. WATSABAUGH, residing for a short time in Leon, Iowa, later residing in Tingley, Iowa, in Colorado and then to Montana, being residents of Billings, Montana for the past three years.

Living at Laurel, Montana, most of the time for the last eleven years an able assistant in publishing a weekly newspaper, MRS. WATSABAUGH probably did the best work of her life in aiding in the organization of a Methodist Church, giving all the assistance possible in personal work and means at her command. She was also an active member of a woman's club devoted to the improvements of its members and contributing to better social conditions in the community.

In October, l9l2, her health suffered a break down from which she never recovered, her affliction being valvular heart trouble which brought about other complications, causing almost continual suffering until her death, losing nearly all her sight, undergoing several surgical operations on this account, being a hospital patient a great deal, seeking relief through specialists and a change of climate and while there was no cure and only temporary relief she bore her afflictions with great patience, optimistic of final recovery.

About the first of March she came to Davis City, to visit her sister, brother and other relatives. About two weeks before her death, she had a slight attack of pneumonia. Other complications also setting in made her last days of very great suffering from which she was at last willingly relieved, declaring she was ready for the broader life promised those who faithfully follow in the footsteps of the Savior.

MRS. WATSABAUGH was the eldest of six children. Of these, three are living, MR. F.W. BOZARTH, MRS. R.L. FLORA, and MRS. N.G. GRAHAM. Her father, WESLEY BOZARTH, who was a veteran of the Civil War, whose ancestors included those of the earliest pioneers, died a few years ago. Her mother died at her home in Laurel, Mont., in l9ll in the same month of her own departure, and at her own request her body was laid to rest by the side of her beloved mother in the beautiful I.O.O.F. Cemetery at Davis City. The funeral was held from the Union Church, the sermon being by Rev. O.L. Watkins, of the Pentacostal Brethren, to which a number of relatives belong.

Besides her husband, brother and two sisters are many relatives and friends left to mourn the loss of a loving companion, sister, sincere and true friend.

The family and friends extend sincere thanks to the neighbors who so kindly contributed comforting service during the last sad illness of their beloved wife and sister.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
March l9, 2002