Edith Graves Espeset 1860-1929

ESPESET, GRAVES

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 10/19/2011 at 23:18:44

Edith Graves Espeset was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 16th day of February, 1860 and died at Estherville, Iowa on the 31st day of December, 1928, at the age of 68 years, 10 months and 15 days.

While but a little child a few months old, her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Graves moved to Emmet county in the summer of 1860. The Graves family took an active and leading part in the early history of Estherville. Of the four Graves children, Mrs. Espeset was the only one to survive the hard pioneer days. Her three brothers died in early childhood.

In 1881 she was married at Estherville to James Espeset, with whom she spent thirty-six years. Then some eleven years ago in 1917, Mr. Espeset was taken from her by death. Since that time she and her only son Howard have made their home together.

Mrs. Espeset was a woman of great natural, intellectual, elocutionary and musical ability, one who graced every occasion she attended and one whose presence was an inspiration to all with whom she came in contact. She was a constant reader of the best in current literature, the higher class of magazines as well as worth while books. Always eager to see the daily paper for the latest national and world news, and the interest persisted to the last.

Art was another of her varied interests and many of the beautiful paintings adorning the walls of her home are the products of her brush. Kindly, generous, loving and patient, she was a true Christian in the highest sense of the word. Ever devoted to her family and her friends she will be greatly missed.

Mrs. Espeset was always very prominent and well loved in the social and church affairs of Emmet county. She was an active member of the P.E.O. and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She joined the Presbyterian church in young womanhood and as a member was ever faithful. She loved the church and its work. For several years she presided at the church organ. One of the organizations in which she was most interested was the Missionary Society.

The funeral service in charge of Rev. Davies, assisted by Rev. Chipperfield will be ehld from the family residence Thursday afternoon at 2 P.M. and the body will be laid to rest n the Oak Hill [East Side] cemetery. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, January 2, 1929)

County Pioneer, Mrs. Espeset, is Interred Today
Mrs. James Espeset, a pioneer of Emmet county and a member of the Graves family, which took a leading part in early Estherville events, died here Monday at the age of 68 years, 10 months and 15 days. The funeral service will be held at the family residence at 2 o’clock this afternoon in charge of the Rev. P.A. Davies assisted by the Rev. R.T. Chipperfield. Burial will be in Oak Hill [East Side] cemetery.

Pallbearers will be N.J. Lee, A.O. Peterson, Dr. W.E. Bradley, L.L. Bingham, M.K. Whelan, and Charles Dillman. . . . [remainder the same as the Vindicator]. [Estherville News, Estherville, IA, January 3, 1929]