Carrie Messner Williams 1875-1955

WILLIAMS, MESSNER, RIDER, MORRIS, EISENHOWER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/10/2011 at 22:57:40

Mrs. Williams Was Native of Germany
Carrie M. [Messner] Williams, 80, passed away at Holy Family hospital Thursday afternoon, Aug. 18, 1955, after a prolonged illness.

A pioneer citizen she came with her parents from Germany at the age of three years. She was born in Stuttgart, Germany, Feb. 19, 1875. Her parents settled in McLean county, Ill., where she met her surviving husband, Bird. They then moved to Madison county, Iowa. She and Bird were married at Winterset, Feb. 19, 1896.

The new family then farmed three years in Illinois and then moved to Henry county, Mo., two years. They then came to Madison county, Iowa.

In 1912 they came to Emmet county, settling on a farm northeast of Estherville. A few years ago they moved to a small farm on the edge of Estherville, where the home still is.

To this union eight children were born, six of whom survive. Two daughters, Fern and Ruby, preceded Mrs. Williams in death during the flu epidemic of 1918. The surviving sons are Oscar P. of Council Bluffs, Walter C. of Spencer and Straud A. of Prole. Three daughters surviving are Mrs. Emma Rider of Omaha, Mrs. Allen Morris of Winterset and Mrs. Arnold Eisenhower of Estherville.

There are 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who also survive.

She was a member of the Christian church, joining in 1917 when the Rev. Harland C. Hurd was pastor.

The Williamses would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary next February. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, August 22, 1955)