Laura Rosina "Rosa" Ryan Babcock 1843-1948

BABCOCK, RYAN, SPRAGUE, CHEEVER, MCELHANEY, HOGARTHY, BRANDT, CARNES, ROEBERG, WEEPIE, PINGREE

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/14/2014 at 22:19:08

Oldest Resident of County Dies
Mrs. Rosa Babcock of Armstrong, 104
Emmet county’s oldest resident, Mrs. Rosa Babcock, who would have been 105 years old on Oct. 10, died yesterday at the home of her daughter in Armstrong. Mrs. Babcock had been bedfast since last October but her final illness lasted only a week.

Until nine months ago, Mrs. Babcock was able to read and sew, and in 1946 when she celebrated her 103rd birthday, a Daily News story stated that she enjoyed good health and climbed stairs easily. Much of her time was spent in reading, piecing quilts or visiting with friends.

The aged woman, who had lived with her daughter, Mrs. Ellen Cheever and granddaughter, Laura Cheever, for the last 14 years, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on Oct. 10, 1843 [Laura Rosina Ryan, daughter of Anthony Ryan and Catherine Ann Sprague Ryan]. At the age of three months she moved with her family to Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1846 she came by ox team to Clarksville, Ia. With the exception of two years in South Dakota, she had been a resident of Iowa since that time.

She lived at Allison for many years before moving to Armstrong.

Survivors include four sons, Ed of Van Nuys, G.M. of Seattle, Charles of Pony, Mont., and Clyde of Allison and her daughter, Mrs. Cheever. One son died in 1905.

Funeral services will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Armstrong Presbyterian church, Rev. Russell Nelson officiating, assisted by Rev. R.R. Irwin of Winnebago. Burial will be in Armstrong cemetery. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, August 6, 1948)

Emmet County Oldest Woman Passes Away
Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Presbyterian church in Armstrong for Laura Rosina Babcock, who passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ellen Cheever, Thursday, Aug. 5, at the age of 104 years and 10 months.

The Rev. Russell P. Nelson was in charge of services, assisted by the Rev. R.R. Irwin, of Winnebago, Minn. Mrs. C.I. Smith was pianist for the service and Mrs. Clifford Henricksen sang “In the Garden” and “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Pall bearers were Frank Van Dorston, Ralph Rovn, N.E. Looft, M. Vandenburgh, John Kuntz and W.W. Goodge. Interment was in Armstrong Grove cemetery.

Grandmother Babcock was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on Oct. 10, 1843, and at the age of eight months moved to Dane county, Wisc. In 1846 she came by ox team to Clarksville, Ia., and with the exception of two years spent in South Dakota, she has been a resident of Iowa since that time. Her home was at Allison for many years before coming to Armstrong. The past 14 years, she has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Ellen Cheever and granddaughter, Laura.

One daughter, Mrs. H.T. McElhaney, and one son, Mert Babcock, preceded her in death. Surviving children are Edgar Babcock of Van Nuys, Calif., G.M. Babcock of Seattle, Wash., Charles Babcock of Allison, Ia., and Mrs. Ellen Cheever of Armstrong. Other survivors are 5 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

Relatives from out-of-town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Babcock and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller of Allison; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Hogarthy of Greene, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Brandt of Delevan, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Carnes of Waterloo, Ia.; Mrs. Carrie Roeberg of Jesup, Ia.; Mrs. Hattie Weepie of Fairbank, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Pingree of Oelwein, Ia., and Eber Pingree of Lake Crystal, Minn. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, August 12, 1948)

Husband: George Perry Babcock (per WA death certificate for George Maitland Babcock)