NITCHER, Cynthia Melissa 1830-1919

NITCHER, ASH, ELKINS, HENRY, BECKWITH, HARTMAN, PETERSON, VALLEAU, BUSSELL, KENNARD, DE PUY, BARGER, MOREY

Posted By: Mike Peterson (email)
Date: 2/10/2004 at 11:56:15

Source and Publication Is Unknown (because of wording, it is assumed a Charles City newspaper):

Mrs. E. K. Ash

Cynthia Melissa Netcher was born on March 7, 1830 in Greencreek township, Ohio. She attended the district school and later taught at least two terms of school when owing to the death of her mother was compelled to give up this line of work and look after the family. On July 4, 1853 she was united in marriage to Elijah K. Ash. To this union 10 children were born. The eldest Mrs. Sarah J. Elkins, having passed away on February 22, 1906. Those living are: Mrs. E. Melissa Henry, Charles City; Mrs. Emma T. Beckwith, Broken Bow, Nebraska; Mrs. Ernestine Hartman, Hubbard, Minnesota; Mrs. E. Virginia Peterson, Watertown, South Dakota; Mrs. Alida F. Valleau, Tacoma, Washington; Mr. Grant Ash, Spirit Lake, Iowa; Mrs. Grace V. Peterson, Streeter, North Dakota; Mr. Eri A. Ash, Tuttle, North Dakota. There were also four step children, two of whom are living, Mr. G. J. Ash, Floyd, Iowa; and Mrs. Margaret Bussell, Camby, Indiana. In a very early day Mr. and Mrs. Ash drove through from Indiana by prairie schooner to Floyd county, settling on a farm in Niles township. At that time there were but three houses in Charles City. They stayed here but a short time selling the farm and going to Minnesota near Owatonna, but returned to Floyd county in 1862 at the time of the Indian scare in Minnesota.

This time they bought a farm about three miles northeast of Charles City and during the years of their residence here they made many warm friends who have remained true through all of the years.

Her life was to be one of many changes and she took up her residence early in 1890 at Spirit Lake, Iowa, later going to Appleton, Minnesota where her husband preceded her in death on October 10, 1899. Soon after this she and her youngest son went to Watertown, South Dakota to live, but only stayed a short time, for hearing that land was opened up in Kiddu county, North Dakota they decided to locate there, and they each filed on claims, the mother at this time being about 75 years of age. Here she resided at the time of her death, which was on July 11, 1919 on Friday afternoon at 4:00 PM.

She had had all the care and attention that loving hands could administer through all of the years of her illness and during the last 10 weeks of her sickness her granddaughter Mrs. Lulu Kennard left her home and family here to do for the grandmother giving her loving care and constant attention for which all of the family are grateful.

Mrs. Ash early in life accepted Christ as her savior and was one of the great members of the First Methodist Church of Charles City; she and at least two of the daughters walking to the city to attend the laying of the corner stone of the church.

Through all the years to follow her faith has grown stronger and she was ready and willing to meet her maker. The remains were accompanied to this city of Charles City by the son, Eri Ash, with whom she made her home and her granddaughter, Mrs. Lulu Kennard of this city. Services were held in Riverside Chapel and were in charge of Rev. O. C. De Puy of Floyd, Iowa. Mrs. Earl Barger singing the hymns her grandmother so much loved.

Mrs. Ash was laid to rest beside her husband. Those present from out of town were: Mrs. J. H. Peterson, Watertown, South Dakota; Mrs. A. G. Ash, Spirit Lake, Iowa; Miss Mabel Ash, Floyd, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Ash, Floyd, Iowa; Mrs. Eri Ash, Tuttle, North Dakota and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Morey, Floyd, Iowa.