Yearous, Catherine (Peters) 1831 - 1916

YEAROUS, PETERS, KIMPSTON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/24/2019 at 23:20:30

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 31 Aug. 1916.

Catherine Peters was born in Ashland County, Ohio, May 29th, 1831, and died August 20th, 1916, at the age of 85 years, 2 months and 22 days. At the time of her death she was living with her daughter, Mrs. Martha Kimpston, near Fayette.

She was united in marriage to Charles Yearous, April 1st, 1851, in Ohio. As pioneers they located on a farm in Highland township, Clayton County, Iowa. Here they built a log house, which was their home for many years.

Mr. Yearous began teaming to McGregor to pay for the farm. This work kept him away from home a great deal and while he was gone his wife remained at home with the children. Mrs. Yearous often told of tying the dog in the doorway while her husband was away to keep the wolves from entering the house. Working patiently together, Mr. and Mrs. Yearous paid for the farm, which has ever since belonged to them. In the same old log house eight of their children were born. Later they built a new house, in which they lived until 1904, when they went to live with their children. Mr. Yearous died the year after leaving his old home.

Mrs. Yearous was a lover of music and would listen to it for hours without tiring. Up to a few months before her death she was able to sing when hymns were played for her. Mrs. Yearous was converted in Ohio at the age of 15 years and became a member of the Evangelical Church. Since that time she has been an active and faithful member of the church. Her patience through her many trials, in the rearing of a large family, in the sickness and the loss of her loved ones, and her confidence in death are proof of her true Christian character. Her sweet, amiable, and always cheerful disposition, united with her deep religious devotion and noble Christian character made her life a benediction to all who knew her. During her recent illness she frequently prayed that God would soon relieve her from her suffering. To the very last days of her life she was devotedly interested in her large family and in her grandchildren. When she was told that death would soon come to her she seemed to rejoice and repeated the words from an old hymn, which she had known from childhood.

Mrs. Yearous was the mother of ten children, nine sons and one daughter, nine of whom are still living, Ulysses S. having died in infancy. The surviving children are Aaron, of Eagle Grove, Iowa; Jacob S., William F. and Andrew, of Elgin, Iowa; Jerome, of Clarinda, Iowa; Martha J., of Fayette, Iowa; Christian A., of Potosi, Wis.; Charles M., of Midland, S.D.; and John M., of Arlington, Iowa.

All of her children were with her at the hour of her death except Aaron, Christian and William.

Funeral services were held at the Illyria Church on August 22nd, and Rev. J. Auracher, of Des Moines, a man who had known Mrs. Yearous for over thirty years, had charge of the services. Rev. Auracher was assisted by Rev. J. S. Moore, of Wadena.