REX, Mary Jane (Ackley) 1842-1921

REX, ACKLEY, BRIGHTMAN, WALSTER, LOSEE, RITTER, HAYNES

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 3/12/2013 at 11:31:59

Mary Jane (Ackley) Rex – May 4, 1842 – December 7, 1921

#1

MRS. JANE REX

Mary Jane Ackley, the youngest of eleven children, daughter of James and Nancy Brightman Ackley, was born in Oswego County, New York, May 4, 1842, where her childhood days were spent, coming west with her parents in 1854. Stopping in Illinois for a year, in the fall of 1855 they came to Iowa, reaching the old Ackley homestead November 24th, where she remained until October 16, 1859, at which time she was united in marriage to Samuel Rex.

To this union were born fourteen children, eleven of whom grew up, five boys and six girls.
Six children preceded her in death, leaving five boys and three girls, all of whom were present to administer to her wants the last week of her sickness except Belva B, who is in the hospital at Yankton, South Dakota

Mrs. Rex was active in the neighborhood and church up to Sunday, November 27, when she was stricken with her last sickness which terminated in the end of a perfect life, at 3:45 Wednesday afternoon December 7th, that day being the anniversary of the birth of her granddaughter Jane (Walster) Losee) whom she care for from her birth, as her mother. Ina V. Walster, her daughter, gave up her life when Jane was about ten days old.

Mother Rex’s life was a full one, having made a home and cared for two orphans A. O. and Allie Aspel, cousins of Mr. Rex. Children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and neighbor children always found a friend and companion in Mother Rex.

Mrs. Rex’s life companion ws called in death July 2, 1908. Since that time she has maintained her home which was always open to all.
January 31, 1914, she married a brother of Mr. Rex, Jacob A., who passed away February 16, 1921, in her home.

She leaves to cherish her memory three girls; Ruth (Mrs. George Ritter); Mettie (Mrs. J. H. Haynes) and Belva B; five boys; Charles T; Ransom R; and Samuel J of Marble Rock; Clyde J, of Webster City, Iowa; and Clifford P. of Allamosa Colorado; fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren, an only brother; Russell J. Ackley, the only living member of the pioneer Ackley family; nieces and nephews and a host of friends will miss her smile.

Services at the home were in charge of G. A. Hess of Charles City and C. Baber of the Christian Church of Marble Rock. Interment was at Hillside Cemetery.

Marble Rock Journal, Thursday December 15, 1921

#2

1860 US Census: Union, Floyd, Iowa
Samuel Rex 26 born Ohio
Jane 19 born New York
Jefferson W 5/12 born Iowa
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1870 US Census: Union, Floyd, Iowa
Samuel Rex 34 born Ohio
Mary J 27 born New York
Ina V 8 born Iowa
Charles C 5 born Iowa
Ransom R 3 born Iowa
Nancy 1 born Iowa
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1880 US Census: Union, Floyd, Iowa
Samuel Rex 46 born Ohio
Mary Jane 40 born New York
Charles T 15 born Iowa
Ranson R 13 born Iowa
Nancy M 1 born Iowa
Samuel J 10 born Iowa
Ruth 7 born Iowa
Mattie 4 born Iowa
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1900 US Census: Union, Floyd, Iowa
Samuel Rex 64 born October 1835 Ohio
Mary 58 born May 1842 New York
Sam J 29 born February 1871 Iowa
Ruth 24 born March 1876 Iowa
Clyde 17 born October 1882 Iowa
Belva 14 born October 1885 Iowa
Clifford 12 born September 1887 Iowa
Jane R Walster, granddaughter 4 born December 1895 Iowa

*according to birth records for Jane Walster she was the daughter of Elisha P Walster and Ina Rex.