STEWART, Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" 1859–1941

STEWART, VINTON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/19/2013 at 08:50:06

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Stewart Dies at Beaman Last Friday Afternoon

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Stewart died at the home of her son at Beaman Friday afternoon, Jan. 31 at 4:15 o’clock and funeral services were held at the Conrad Presbyterian church Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock with Rev. James Wray, pastor of the church, officiating. Interment was in the Conrad cemetery.

Pall bearers were Alva Cooper, W. G. Lounsberry, Elmer Thorman, Ralph Bowers, Frank Crouse and J. F. Wheeler. Mrs. Elmer Thorman and Mrs. Grace Nicholson were in charge of the flowers. Mrs. George Gould and Mrs. Ben Frederick sang with Miss Ruth McClain at the piano.

Relatives from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. William Merrifield and Jack Stewart of Waterloo, Alva Vinton and Mr. and Mrs. Glen Vinton of Whitten and Mrs. Hattie McCormick of St. Cloud, Minn.

Mary Elizabeth Vinton was born on a farm in Felix township east of Whitten Oct. 29, 1859, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Vinton, who had left Boston in the early ‘40’s and come westward, making the trip with covered wagon and oxen. They settled in this vicinity and became one of the early pioneer families which developed this part of the state of Iowa. Some continued on west, including one of Mrs. Stewart’s who went to Oregon.

She grew up in the neighborhood where she was born and all her life was spent in Felix and Clay townships. At the time of her death she was the oldest resident born in Grundy county.

On Dec. 25, 1878 she was united in marriage to Melvin Stewart of Conrad who died in Oct. 1937. To this union two sons were born, Harry of Beaman who survives, and another who died in infancy. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Mrs. Virginia Merrifield and Jack and Jimmie Stewart of Waterloo and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers, Henry, Calvin and Fred Vinton all of Whitten.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart lived in Conrad for many years and she continued to make her home here after her husband’s death, until March, 1940 when she went to Beaman to live with her son. She had been in failing health for some time.

Mrs. Stewart was a member of the Christian church at Whitten, but had worked with the women’s organizations of the local Presbyterian church during the years she made her home in Conrad. She was a kind and helpful neighbor and devoted to her home and family.

Source: Unknown newspaper clipping found in scrapbook belonging to my great grandmother.