Aurilla Catherine Gregg Macdonald 1853-1926

MACDONALD, GREGG

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/16/2015 at 20:48:07

Mrs. F.A. MacDonald Died Thursday
Prominent Estherville Lady Passed Away Last Wednesday
Was Ill For Many Weeks
Suffered a Paralytic Stroke About Three Months Ago – Funeral Services Held Friday
After an illness of many weeks Mrs. F.A. Macdonald passed away at her home on the west side last Wednesday afternoon at 5:25 p.m. About ten weeks ago she suffered a stroke and continued to gradually grow worse until she finally passed away. All the held and care that kind and loving hands and medical skill could produce, was given her during her illness but it was to no avail. She was at last called out of this vale of sorrow and grief to a greater and better land. Aurilla C. [Catherin] Gregg was born in West Liberty, Iowa, December 9, 1853. Her parents emigrated from Ohio and settled in Muscatine county in 1857 [1837]. Her early life was spent in West Liberty, Iowa, December 9, 1853. Her early life was spent in West Liberty, Iowa. In 1882 she was united in marriage with F.A. Macdonald. To this union two sons were born, Harold A., and Robert N. The former passed away at the age of six years. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Macdonald lived in Cedar Rapids until 1894. Since that time they have lived in Georgia, Alabama, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, West Liberty, Iowa, and Davenport, Iowa. They came to Armstrong in 1912 and resided there until 1921 when they moved to this city and have resided here since. Mrs. Macdonald was a woman who commanded the respect and admiration of every person she met. She possessed a sweet likeable personality that made her a friend of everyone. She was always the same wherever you met her and no circumstances could make her forget even her humblest friend. She worshiped her home and family with all the love and adoration that it was possible for a mother and wife to show. No sacrifice was too great and no task too small if it was being done for her family. Her fiends too could always depend on her assistance and while her health permitted she was always ready and willing to help anyone who needed her assistance. While yet a young girl she united with the Christian church and was active in all its branches. That kind, true Christian spirit predominated her life and was reflected in all her actions and words. Mrs. Macdonald was an active member of the King’s Daughters, Eastern Star Lodge and Service Star Legion. She loved the finer and higher things in this life and took a prominent place in all the clubs and organizations that promoted these things. She was indeed a true friend, a devoted mother and a kind and loving wife. Her place in the home can never be filled and the sorrowing father and son have met with a loss that they will never be able to regain in this world. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon, Rev. H.L. Olmstead in charge. A short service was held I the Macdonald home on the west side and the body was then taken to Armstrong where services were held in the church and the body was laid to rest. The floral offerings were exquisite and a large body of friends paid their last respects to their loved one. The sympathy of the entire community is extended the bereaved father and son and other relatives in their hour of grief and sorrow over the loss of their lived one. They may take great consolation in knowing that her life on this world has been such that it gives promise of greater and better things for her in the hereafter. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, June 23, 1926)

Wife of County Engineer Passes
Mrs. F.A. Macdonald Was a Devoted Family Woman
After an illness of nine weeks, Mrs. F.A. Macdonald passed away at her home on North Third Avenue Wednesday afternoon, June 16. Her death was caused by a cerebral hemorrhage and although she was past 72 years old she had enjoyed fairly good health until her last sickness. Mrs. Macdonald was a quiet woman devoted to her home but she had a host of dear friends who mourn with the husband and son in their loss.

Aurilla C. Gregg was born in West Liberty, Iowa, on December 9, 1853. Her parents had emigrated from Ohio to Muscatine county in 1837 and her early life was spent in the town of her birth. In 1882 she was married to F.A. Macdonald and two sons were born to this union, Harold A., who died in 1890 at the age of six years, and Robert N. With her husband and family she had lived first in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, until 1894, then in Georgia, Alabama, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, West Liberty, Iowa, and Davenport, Iowa. In 1912 they moved to Armstrong and in 1921 to Estherville.

Mrs. Macdonald was a member of the Christian church uniting with them in 1880. She belonged to the King’s Daughters, Order of Eastern Star and Service Star Legion.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at two o’clock from the home with Rev. H.L. Olmstead in charge and burial made at the Armstrong cemetery. Members of the Masonic lodge of Armstrong were the pall bearers. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, June 23, 1926)