Frank, Eva Pray (1854-1932)

FRANK, PRAY, KNOUSE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 2/2/2017 at 14:39:49

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Thursday, November 10, 1932

MRS. FRANK, AGE 78, DIES

Funeral Services to Be Held Tomorrow Afternoon at the Home

WAS OLD SETTLER
(contributed)

Mrs. J. W. Frank, 78, died at her home, 614 Ohio street, last evening at 9:30 o'clock, death following a stroke of paralysis. She had been in poor health for several years, however, and since Labor day had suffered several paralytic strokes.

Funeral services will be conducted at the family home tomorrow at 2:30 o'clock with the Rev. W. H. Hoge, of the Baptist church, and Dr. Ira J. Houston, of the Congregational church, officiating. Burial will be made in Graceland cemetery. Foster's in charge.

The name of Mrs. Frank must be added to that honorable and rapidly increasing roll of the sturdy pioneers of the community, who have finished their work here and pressed on to a new and better land. Born into the W. S. [and Eleanor Baldwin] Pray home at Michigan City, Ind., May 12, 1854, she [Eva] came with her parents as a very young child to this community, 75 years ago.

Here she had lived since that time and many were the interesting things she could tell of the pioneer life of that time, of the beginnings of this town which she had seen develop from a cluster of houses on the river bank, surrounded by sloughs and swamps to the beautiful city it is today, with its schools and churches and homes replacing those sloughs and swamps. When she came, Iowa City was the nearest railroad point and all of the necessities and the few luxuries the family enjoyed had to be brought by team and wagon from there.

She took advantage of all the schooling that the community afforded and became a teacher, first in the country schools and then in the town schools. She taught for nine years after entering this profession. Sept. 23, 1884, she was married to J.W. Frank and they established their home on a farm a mile south of town where they lived until the family moved to the city in 1910 where she had resided until her death.

She loved her home and family and lived for them. Perhaps it was because of her pioneer experiences that the out of doors always had a great attraction for her but even this attraction she would always gladly forego in her response to the calls of duty in the home. She loved the river and the woods, to wander among the trees in search of wild flowers or in the autumn to hear the rustle of the leaves and during these later years during which she had been shut in more of the time her finest recreation and joy has been to ride with her family through the countryside.

Her own flower garden too, in which she never lost interest, helped to bring sweetness into her life. When her active days were over and she must spend her time in her chair which she had done for years, there was still a contribution which her patient sunny spirit made to the home. Always she was patient, cheerful, appreciative of everything that was done for her.

From a girl she had been a member and staunch supporter of the Baptist church. She was long active in the Superior Rebekah lodge and from her work with the drill team in which she took particular pride she carried a love of rhythm and order that made martial music the kind she delighted in most. She filled capably a number of officers in the lodge.

Of her own family Mrs. Frank was the last survivor. She leaves to mourn her departure her devoted husband, who has cared for her with an unflagging devotion during all the years of her decline. The daughter, Amy, and son, Milton, still live at home and have shared with their father in making pleasant the last days of their loved one. The other daughter, Mrs. Irene Knouse, resides at Sinking Springs, Pa.

Neighbors and friends who will sorrow with them are legion.