Mary (Brooks) Downing 1830-1909

BROOKS, DOWNING, SMITH, TONKINSON

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 3/26/2011 at 21:01:41

Macy Irene Brooks was born near
Kingston, Canada, October 30, 1830
and died at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. James Smith in Oelwein August
23 at 11:45 a. m., aged seventy-eight
years, nine months, and twenty-four
days.
She was of English descent, and
grew to young womanhood on the old
family farm of her parents. In February
1848 at the old home she was
united in marriage to Richard Downing,
and a year later accompanied
him west to Cook county, Illinois,
where they resided for fifty-seven
years. They were located about twenty
miles from Chicago, and saw that
place grow from a village to the second
largest city on the American continent.
Her husband died in 1905, and
she then came to Oelwein where she
has since resided with her children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Richard Downing
were born eight children of whom
three survive her—Mrs. Jennie Smith,
wife of James Smith, Ashley Downing
and John Downing. Two children
died in infancy, a son, Henry, died in
1896, a daughter, Mrs. Emma Tonkinson,
died in 1898, and another daughter,
Mabel L. Downing, in 1896. She
is therefore survived by three children
and a number of grandchildren.
For many years she was a faithful
member of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and in her old and declining
years her faith, in the Son of Man
was very dear to her. Coming, west
sixty years ago when the country was
new she endured all the privations of
a pioneer woman. She was a true
wife and a loving mother. It was
her persistent elort to assist her
husband in their mutual efforts and
to raise her children in the fear and
the admonition of the Lord. That
she succeeded her children and those
who knew her bear willing witness.
Until within the past two weeks she
was in her usual health, and was
well considering, her advanced
age. She was at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. James Smith, and her
every want was anticipated. Gradually
earth's scenes faded from her eyes,
and Monday just before the sun reached
its meridian height she fell asleep to
reap the rewards in store for a well
spent life. The last services were
held from the Smith home, 202 Third
Ave. N.. conducted by Rev. G. H. Kennedy,
of the Methodist church. Flowers
bestowed by her loved ones attested
that her work had been appreciated
She was laid at rest in the old
city cemetery. And so another old
pioneer woman has been called, and
was also ready.

Oelwein Register - 25 Aug 1909
Note: burial in Oakdale Cemetery