Betsey Hoyt Jarvis, 1826-1897

HOYT, JARVIS

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/9/2009 at 10:29:59

ANOTHER PIONEER WOMAN GONE

The death of Mrs. B.A. Jarvis of Emmet Township removes another of the old settlers whose familiarity with the prairies of Emmet dates back for nearly forty years. Betsey A. Hoyt was born in Westchester County, New York, April 3, 1826. At an early age she removed with her parents to Ridgefield, Connecticut. She was married January 26, 1845 to Charles Jarvis, who survives her after 52 years of wedded life.

In 1856 with her family she came west, locating near Decorah, Iowa. The country was new and malarious, the valley in which they lived being peculiarly unhealthy, and where unquestionably the seeds of future years of ill health were implanted in her system. The summer and fall of 1858 the family spent upon the claim in what is now Emmet Township, and a part of the home farm. Continued ill health seemed to demand a change of climate and the summer of 1860 found the family on the sea coast, where in a few months her condition was so much improved they again came west and located on the farm upon which she died April 1, 1861, where for nearly 36 years she so faithfully performed all the tasks that came to her, and died, Sunday, Feb. 28, 1897.

This ordinarily ends the sketch of her life. To those however, who have known her, it seems a paltry recital of bare facts, in which all the unselfishness of a devoted life is omitted.

Only those who have endured the privations and toils of a pioneer life can have any idea of their magnitude and responsibilities. Births, marriages, and deaths without the benefits of professional skill, came in those early days, and the subject of this sketch was the mainstay of her community, to welcome the babes, speed the newly married, and close the eyes of the dying. For she never sherked a duty or dodged a responsibility, no matter what sacrifice was demanded.

Her home life was so strong and holy that it was at once a benediction and an inspiration. Her home to her children and grandchildren was so much of a home that nothing else was demanded. Her highest ambition was service for others. Not "blessed are they that say" but "blessed are they that do," seemed to be the ideal of her life.

For fifty-eight years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, there was with her at no time any question as to the completeness of God's plans regarding the problem of life. One of the rewards of a holy life seems to be the complete absence of doubts and fears in the Christian experience.

Although during the last few years of her life she was a great sufferer, yet through it all involving a difficult surgical operation, no murmurs of complaint were heard. A severe attack of the grippe was the direct cause of her death, which was as peaceful as closing the eyes in sleep. Days before the end came, although not under the influence of medicine or delirious, she seemed to be in communion with those who had passed on before, frequently speaking "mother" and the name of a much loved sister who died many years ago.

And so went out a great, brave unselfish spirit. All of her three children, all but one of her grandchildren and several of the great grandchildren with two of her brothers from Decorah, Iowa were present. None knowing the life of devotion just given up, could for a moment wish her back. The light of the cross which she has carried so bravely so many years streamed out into the future for those weary watchers showing them the throng of the redeemed "which came out of great tribulation" they shall hunger no more neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat; for the lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them into living fountains.

Contributed by: Francine Smith.

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—Messrs. Thomas and David N. Hoyt were called to Esthervllle, Monday, by news of the death on Sunday of their sister, Mrs. Charles Jarvis.

Transcriber's Note: Find a Grave shows she is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Source: Decorah Republican Mar. 4, 1897 P 5 C 1