Margaret Ruby Soper Alexander 1870-1937

SOPER, ALEXANDER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/31/2013 at 22:11:18

Mrs. D.R. Alexander Life Long Resident Died at Her Home
Mrs. Margaret Ruby Alexander, daughter of Captain and Mrs. E.B. Soper, was born in Marion, Iowa, June 2, 1870, and came to Estherville with her parents in 1871. Captain Soper maintained a law office here, and was also interested in banking, having been president of the First National Bank of Estherville, as well as other banks in this county.

In 1878 the family moved to Emmetsburg. Here Mrs. Alexander received her early education from her mother, tutors, also extensive travel with her parents. Later she attended Cornell College, of which her father was a trustee and generous supporter. She graduated from the School of Music, and Liberal Arts course in 1892. In November of 1894 she was united in marriage to David R. Alexander. After having lived about five years in Emmetsburg , the young couple moved to their present home in Estherville.

Since her young girlhood she has been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, having taken an active part in all branches of its work. Her keen, active and analytical mind, together with her splendid personality and human interest, made her especially influential among the young women of her church, where for 15 years she gave her time and talents to the Young Married Women’s Class. This association was terminated only by ill health. This class, however, out of appreciation for all that they received from her, have pledged themselves to carry on the mission work pledged by Mrs. Alexander for this year.

All public activities for the development and improvement of the community attracted her, but her main interest was the public library. She was president of the Library Board from 1907 until 1933, and continued as a member of the Board until 1936, when she was no longer able to attend the meetings and carry on the work. In this work she gave generously of her time, through her wide knowledge of books she aided materially in bringing all departments of the library to the present uniform standard of efficiency. She was a charter member of Chapter BK of P.E.O. in Emmetsburg, and affiliated with Chapter AY upon becoming a resident of Estherville. Here she served as President, and here again, she contributed to the educational and literary programs of that organization. She was also an active member of Okomanpado Chapter of D.A.R. For many years she was a member of the Woman’s Club, always willing to share with the members of the Club her knowledge of books and of all the fine arts, and to aid in making their programs of interest and of value.

In the early morning of January 22, 1937, the community was grieved to learn of the passing of Mrs. Alexander. They will remember her as she was, in the brilliancy of her mind, as an example and inspiration to the young, and a wise counselor and faithful friend of all who know her. Intimate association with Mrs. Alexander would recall the lines of Emerson:

“Teach me thy mood, oh patient stars;
That climb each night the ancient sky;
And leave on space no trace, no scars,
No sign of age, no fear to die.”
(Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, January 28, 1937)
Long Time Resident Is Called
Funeral Rites Monday for Mrs. D.R. Alexander, was Member of Library Board for Over 30 Years
Mrs. D.R. Alexander, who for many years had been prominent in various civic organizations, died Friday morning at her home at 815 North Seventh street, after an illness of nearly a year and a half. Mrs. Alexander had been bedfast most of that time.

Funeral services were held yesterday morning at 10 o’clock at the Alexander home and at 10:30 in the Methodist Episcopal church with the Rev. F.W. Ortmeyer in charge. The body was then taken to the Harland Soper home in Emmetsburg for services at 2:30. Burial was in the cemetery in Emmetsburg.

Pall bearers were J.P. Kirby, Roy Ridley, William Bale, O.N. Refsell, Howard Espeset and W.C. Currell.

Mrs. Alexander, until her last illness, had been an active worker in her church and taught a Sunday school class for many years. She also took a helpful part in the activities of the Woman’s club, D.A.R, and P.E.O. Sisterhood. She has been a member of the Estherville Library board for thirty years. She ecame president of the board in 1907 and held that office until 1933. She remained a member until July 1936 when she resigned because of poor health.

Mrs. Alexander was born in Marion, June 2, 1870 and came to Estherville the following year with her parents, Captain and Mrs. E. B. Soper. Her father established a law office here and also had banking interests in this community. The family moved to Emmetsburg in 1878 and in Nov. 1894, she was united in marriage to D.R. Alexander. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander moved to Estherville in 1899 and have been residents of this city ever since. She was graduated from Cornell college at Mt. Vernon in 1892.

She is survived by her husband and two brothers, E.B. Soper of Decatur, Alabama and Harlan Soper of Emmetsburg. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, January 26, 1937)

Former E’Burg Resident Dies at Estherville
Mrs. D.R. Alexander, sister of Harland Soper of this city, taken by death Friday. Funeral services and burial here Monday. Impressive obituary prepared by Estherville friend. Came to Emmetsburg in 1878.

Mrs. D.R. Alexander, the former Miss Ruby Soper of Emmetsburg, died at Estherville Friday morning. After services at Estherville Sunday afternoon the remains were brought to the E.H. Soper home in Emmetsburg, where services were held Monday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. Edward Pruitt, of the Methodist church, officiating. The local pallbearers were H.E. Tunnicliff, A.J. Burt, J.W. Edge, W.H. Morling, A.W. Smith and W.S. Dick-Peddie. The Malum funeral establishment at Estherville was in charge, together with the Foy Funeral Home of Emmetsburg. Burial was made in the Soper family lot in Evergreen cemetery here.

The following impressive obituary was prepared by an Estherville friend of Mrs. Alexander, a friend well qualified to point out the accomplishments and characteristics of the deceased: [same as published in the Estherville Enterprise.]