Grace A. Bemis Brown 1873-1925

BROWN, BEMIS, LINDQUIST, LINNQUIST, COON, BEVAN, WEIR

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/4/2011 at 15:46:17

Mrs. F.L. Brown Dies; Graduated With 1st Class
Is Third Member of Bemis Family to be Called Within Eight Months
Mrs. Fred L. Brown passed away at her home early Saturday morning after a long illness. Mrs. Brown was a member of the first class to graduate from our high school and was born and raised in Estherville. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simeon E. Bemis, pioneer residents of Estherville, both now deceased, and is the third member of the Bemis family to pass away in 8 months, her mother and sister, Miss Pearl having been called to their reward in that short time.

Grace A. Bemis was born in Estherville, Iowa, in the old Bemis home that stood on the corner where the post office now stands, on the 3rd day of September, 1873, and passed away at her home on East Lincoln street Saturday, Nov. 21.

She received her education in the local school, graduating in 1891 with the first class to leave the high school.

On April 14, 1892, she was united in marriage to Fred L. Brown. Five children were born to this union. Harry L. of Le Mars; Perl E. (Mrs. C.O. Linnquist) of Fort Dodge; Bessie A. (Mrs. Floyd Coon), Clyde S. and Agnes G., all of Estherville.

She leaves to mourn her death besides her husband and children, seven grandchildren, three sisters and a brother.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Bemis home and were in charge of Rev. J. Arthur Hurly of Storm Lake and Rev. W. F. Huxford of the local Baptist church and interment made in the East Side cemetery. The services were conducted just as were those of her mother and sister, who passed on so recently.

Mrs. Brown was essentially a home woman. She was a devoted wife, and a mother who was unsparing of herself in the welfare of her children. The influence of her life goes on in those of her children and grandchildren. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 25, 1925)

Mrs. F. L. Brown Passed Away
Death came last Saturday to another lifelong resident of this city, Grace Bemis Brown, at her home on East Lincoln street. She has been a sufferer for sometime past. Only recently she lost her sister, Miss Perl Bemis and not long before her mother, Mrs. S. E. Bemis.

Mrs. Brown was born in this city on the third of September, 1873, in the building which occupied the corner where the post office now stands. As a girl in this city she was extremely popular. She was a member of the first class which graduated from our High school along with Mrs. L. Lough, Edna Barker and Arlando Lough. Mrs. Brown’s parents were pioneers of this city and for years Mr. Bemis kept a store on the present Post Office site.

Grace Bemis was united in marriage to Fred L. Brown on April 14, 1892. Five children were born to this union. Harry L. of LeMars; Perl E., now Mrs. C. O. Lindquist, of Fort Dodge; Bessie A., now Mrs. Floyd coon; Clyde S. and Agnes G., of this city. There are also left to mourn her death besides her immediate family, three sisters and a brother and seven grandchildren. The funeral services were held from the Bemis home on Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock and interment made in the East Side Cemetery. The Rev. Hurley of Storm Lake, a close friend of the family and the Rev. Huxford, of this city, officiating.

Away
I can not say, and I will not say
That she is dead – she is just away!
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,
She has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
It needs must be, since she lingers there.

And you – O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old-time step and the glad return,
Think of her faring on, as dear
In the love of there as the love of here:
Think of her still as the same, I say;
She is not dead – she is just away!
(Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 25, 1925)

Passed Away Saturday After Long Sickness
Mrs. Fred L. Brown Called to ---- Home
Life-Long Resident Here
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Bemis, Deceased – Born in Estherville Sept. 3, 1873

Mrs. Grace A. Brown passed away at her home on east Lincoln street Saturday after an illness of five years. Funeral services were held yesterday at 1:30 at the Brown home and at 2:00 o’clock at the Bemis home, Rev. Hurley, of Storm Lake, and Rev. Huxford officiating. Interment was made in East Side Cemetery. Grace A. Bemis was born in Estherville in the old Bemis home that stood on the corner where the postoffice now stands, on September 3, 1873. Her education was received in the public schools and she was a member of the class of 1891, the first class to be graduated from the Estherville high school. On April 14, 1892, she was united in marriage with Fred L. Brown and they continued to make their home in this city. Five children were born to this happy union. They are: Harry L. Brown, of Lemars; Perl E. (Mrs. C.O. Lindquist), of Fort Dodge; Bessie A. (Mrs. Floyd Coon); Clyde S. Brown and Miss Agnes Brown, all of Estherville. Besides her husband and children she leaves to mourn her passing, seven grandchildren, three sisters, Miss Hazel Bemis and Mrs. Sargent Bevan, of Estherville; Mrs. Geo. A. Weir, of Dunnell, and one brother, Sidney Bemis, of Des Moines. Her mother, Mrs. S. E. Bemis, recently preceded her in death. Mrs. Brown was confined to her bed during her entire illness but all the time was patient and never complained of her suffering. A loving and devoted family gave her all the care and attention possible and helped make her sufferings as light as possible. Throughout her life long residence here Mrs. Brown has been active in the affairs of the community. Whenever called upon she was ready to offer her services and through her many kind acts and deeds made the friendship of hosts of people. Her home life was the most pleasant that any one could wish for and her family and home were always uppermost in her thoughts. She will be greatly missed in her home where her place can never be filled. The sympathy of many friends is extended to the bereaved family and relatives in their hours of darkness and sorrow. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, November 25, 1925)