ARNOLD, Stella 1874-1892

ARNOLD

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/3/2011 at 17:18:30

An Amiable Young Life Ended

At the home of her parents in Beaman, Iowa, Stella, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Arnold, died of typhoid fever, at 2:30 o'clock p.m., Thursday, July 14, 1892.

Her sickness was of short duration, being about six days. Although she had been somewhat languid for a week or more, her parents little thought that a cruel disease was stealing upon her fair young life. About three days before her death her parents and others with herself, realized that she, also, was mortal and must pass the "way of all the earth." When the end cam she quietly "fell asleep."

Stella was born in Clay township, Grundy county, Iowa, July 29th, 1874, and was, therefore, 17 years, 11 months and 15 days old at the time of her death. Her parents left their farm near here and moved to Beaman where she was attended school for the last ten years. As a student she was moderately high in all her work. Being so full of life, she was at times misunderstood by a few yet she was very kindhearted, desirous continually that all her friends should be happy. She did a great deal to make them so. Who were her friends? They were as numerous as her acquaintances -- old folks, young folks and children -- in fact everybody. What a genial influence was hers! She was a constant attendant at church and Sunday school, and the Epworth League was especially attractive to her. While she did not profess to be a christian, yet she had many attributes of the "better life." We do not doubt but that "it is well" with her. Short was her career, yet no star ever rose and set without influence somewhere. No life like hers can be pure in its purpose and strong in its strife, and all life not be purer and stronger thereby.

Her schoolmates and one of her teachers met at the school house soon after her death, and after a word of prayer and consolation, it was ordered that the school flag be draped and hung at half-mast for one week in token of their deep grief and profound respect for their dear friend and loving schoolmate deceased.

The funeral took place Friday, July 15, at 3 o'clock p.m., in the M. E. church, the sermon being preached by Rev. E. Will, using for his text Isaiah 40:6 and 8: "The voice said cry. And he said what shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever." He spoke of the grass and the flowers as being the most frail objects in the vegetable kingdom, yet it was a picture of ourselves, drawn by Divine Wisdom. A vivid representation of being cut down at any time. Spoke of nothing being firm except "the word of our God," and that the apostle Peter tells us that it is the gospel of Christ, which represents us as fallen, ruined--lost; yet redeemed, soul and body. While in the frail body it is the privilege of all to serve the Divine Being and enjoy His favor, life being o'er to dwell with Him forever. The Word, then, should be one's guide at all times--in joy or sorrow. He assured the sorrowing ones that the entire community sympathized with them in this their sore bereavement.

The flowers were profuse and very beautifully arranged by tender, loving hands. A great many people attended the funeral and thereby testified their sympathy to the bereaved, and special respect they held for the departed one. A large concourse followed the remains to the Oakland Cemetery where the I. O. G. T. lodge, of which she was a faithful member, took charge and conducted a short but very impressive burial ceremony, after which the crowd slowly dispersed. Thus a dear young friend and an only daughter has "gone to rest."

"The circle is broken, One seat is forsaken, One bud from the tree of our friendship is shaken, One heart from among us no longer shall thrill, With joy in our gladness, or grief in our ill."
"He leaves our hearts all desolate, He plucks our fairest, sweetest flowers, Transplanted into bliss, they now, Adorn immortal flowers."
"Where'er He sees a smile too bright, Or heart to pure for taint and vice, He bears it to that world of light, To dwell in Paradise."

--The Grundy County Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 4 August 1892