NELSON, Clara 1870-1936

NELSON, BROWN, WARD

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/9/2016 at 19:42:36

Clara Brown Nelson

Clara A. Brown, youngest daughter of William and Mary Ward Brown, was born May 20, 1870, near Vinton, Iowa. The death of the father only four months after her birth, resulted in leaving her, together with four sisters and five brothers, exposed to a pioneer environment that was calculated to develop and reveal hardy and stalwart traits of character. Her early training was received in the local rural school, after which she attended and was graduated from the Vinton high school. Shortly thereafter she removed with the family to near Grundy Center, and for several years served with unusual success as a teacher in the rural schools of Grundy county.

On April 12, 1897, she was united in marriage with Edward R. Nelson. Their home has always been in Grundy county, on the farm until 1920, and since that time in Grundy Center. To them was born one son, Richard Ward, and to him was given more than a full measure of mother love and devotion.

For many years past she has been afflicted with chronic arthritis, which served increasingly to limit her social contacts to her own home. Yet, in spite of failing health, she maintained a keen interest in a wide range of affairs and persons. Her own affliction served to make her the more understanding of and sympathetic with the burdens of others. To arrange for or to perform acts of friendship and kindness was to her an unfailing source of pleasure, provided it could be done quietly and without ostentation. She always took particular interest in children and their problems, and from her no child ever failed to receive cheer and encouragement.

The passage of the years brought to her a more crippled condition and increasing suffering. Nevertheless, she never complained or gave way to self-pity, and the extent of her suffering was clear only to those nearest and dearest to her. On the night of November 21, 1936, her tired heart finally gave up the fight, and her spirit quietly slipped away to peace.

Left to mourn her passing, other than the bereft husband and son, are two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Will and Mrs. Emma M. Koons, both of Grundy Center; two grandchildren, Merrill and Rosalie Nelson, of New Orleans, Louisiana; J. Ray King, of Grundy Center, a nephew who has been more like a son during her long illness; the families of the above-named; a considerable number of other nephews and nieces; and many devoted friends.

She was a true admirer of poetic expression of beautiful sentiments, and was always ready with an apt verse or appropriate poem, quoted from memory. During recent months she was observed to find particular and increasing satisfaction in:

"Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me,
And may there be no moaning of the bar
When I put out to sea.

"But such a tide, as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound or foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

"Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark,
And may there be no sadness of farewell
When I depart.

"For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar."

Funeral services at the home of Mrs. Margaret Will were held Tuesday afternoon, November 24th, Rev. J. B. Bird in charge. The favorite hymn of the deceased, "Lead Kindly Light," was rendered by Raymond Taft, accompanied by Mrs. Edna Hayes. Those in attendance from some distance included Mr. and Mrs. Victor D. Nelson of Mason City, Harry C. Nelson of Eldora, and Mr. and Mrs. Ira Whitwood of Whitten.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 26 November 1936, pg 12