Eunice Elizabeth [Lizzie] Arrowsmith, 1830-1917

ARROWSMITH, GRABER, PATTERSON, POTTER, NEWSOME, TUTTLE, CRABEL

Posted By: Pat Ryan White (email)
Date: 3/30/2011 at 12:20:30

MISS EUNICE ELIZABETH ARROWSMITH died Thursday, April 11, 1917 at six o'clock in the evening at the home of her sister, Mrs. Charles T. Patterson, 1217 Summer St at the age of 86 years, 6 month and 13 days. She was born September 28, 1830 in Champaign Co., Ohio and came to Iowa in the year 1842 with her parents John and Lucy Rose Patter [sic: Potter] Arrowsmith.

They settled in Van Buren county, then moved to Jefferson then again to Lee and in 1859 they moved to Mt. Pleasant. She leaves one sister, Mrs. Charles T. Patterson of Burlington with whom she has been making her home for the past eight years.

Besides her sister she leaves four nieces, Mrs. Mary A. Tuttle of Oakland, Cal., Lucy Crabel of New Hampton, Iowa, Victoria Stuart Graber of near New London, Iowa and Laura A. Patterson of Burlington.
[Mt. Pleasant News, April 13, 1917.}
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MISS EUNICE ELIZABETH ARROWSMITH.
The Methodist church was well filled on Saturday afternoon when the funeral services of the late Miss Lizzie Arrowsmith were held. The members of the G.A.R. and W.R.C. attended in force and the services were very impressive. They were conducted by Rev. Thos. Osborn, pastor of the local church, Dr. T.J. Myers and J.E. Newsome of Fort Madison; the latter gentleman being an old friend of the family having resided at the Arrowsmith home in his student days. Short address were given by all three ministers and two well known hymns, "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Jesus Lover of My Soul" were sung by the congregation, while Mrs. Imo Dawson sang "No Night There" very sweetly and feelingly. The pallbearers were all old soldiers, members of the local G.A.R. post: Messrs. J.W. Smith, W.H. Willeford, J. Hingston, Chas. Wilkins, Watson Porter and J. Shumaker.

Miss Eunice Elizabeth Arrowsmith was born September 28, 1830 in Champaign Co., Ohio. Died at Burlington, Iowa, at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 1917, aged 86 years, 6 months and 13 days.

When she was twelve years of age her parents, John and Lucy Rose Potter Arrowsmith moved from Champaign County, Ohio to Iowa, in 1842, the father and mother and smaller children driving the distance in a wagon, while Miss Arrowsmith and her next younger sister accompanied them on horseback. The handmade saddles thus used are still prized keepsakes of the family. On reaching Van Buren county, then moved to Jefferson county, then to Lee county and in 1859 they moved to Mt. Pleasant, which for the last 58 years has been the family home -- the home occupying ground where the high school building now stands, and here both her parents passed away.

She was the eldest of five children. Her brothers and sisters were: Calista Potter Steward, deceased; Franetta A. Patterson, Burlington, Iowa; William, deceased; and Almeda, deceased. She leaves also four nieces: Mrs. Mary A. Tuttle, Oakland, Cal.; Mrs. Lucy Graber, New Hampton, Iowa; Mrs. Victoria Stewart Graber, New London, Iowa; and Miss Laura A. Patterson, Burlington, Iowa.

Growing to womanhood in a devout home with uplifting, Godly ideals, she became a devoted Christian in her youth, united with the M.E. church and so remained an exemplary, active and helpful member to the close of her life.

During her long resident in Mt. Pleasant she took deep interest and was actively helpful in all the city's interests.

Always at her place in the Sabbath services and at the mid week prayer meeting, trying to help others to take a vital part in each; was an ardent supporter in the erecting of the present new church, giving what she could herself and encouraging others to do the same.

She kept in close touch with the college, endeavoring to be helpful in any way possible to new students coming to the city and especially kind and upbuilding in her touch with students having rooms in their home, and students having roomed there speak tenderly of the helpful Christian influence that she and her mother had upon them, and of their many kindnesses.

She was open to calls for help among any people of the city, and persons from any rank or position were liable to call upon her at any hour, and so far as possible she would respond heartily with her assistance. She was a true daughter to her mother, in whose illness Miss Arrowsmith did not retire at night for three and a half years.

She was very active with the G.A.R. and Woman's Relief Corps. She was the first woman to decorate the G.A.R. graves of the city. She was made an adopted daughter of the 25th Iowa Regiment; was the organizer of the Mt. Pleasant Woman's Relief Corps, and its first president; and then was its color bearer continuously until the last six years while absent from the city. She was one of three women in the United States honored as an honorary member of the Grand Army of the Republic. The old flag of the 25th Iowa Regiment, had seen exceedingly hard service and was so worn and tattered that it seemed impossible to use it longer; Miss Arrowsmith took it and spread it out upon her floor and worked with it during one whole night on her knees, placing tarton on both sides of it, so repaired it that it continues in service.

At the last G.A.R. annual state encampment which was in Burlington, this flag from Mount Pleasant, had been forgotten. Miss Arrowsmith, unknown to others, took a train for Mt. Pleasant and in the few moments she had between trains here, secured the flag and returned to Burlington and proudly marched with it in the parade.

In her last illness, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Patterson, she had been failing for all winter. About six weeks ago she grew gradually worse until with strength gone, she passed away as in a sleep.

She received every care and attention from loved ones and friends.

Among the last things she said to her sister by her bedside was "If I die tonight, I am going to heaven." And then pointing her finger upward, she said, "I want to go up there. If I go tell all the loved ones good bye", and then she fell asleep. She never moved her membership from First church, Mt. Pleasant. During her stat in Burlington she attended the Grace church until the last six months health did not permit. It was her wish frequently repeated that she should be buried in Forest Home Cemetery and that her funeral services should be held in the church at Mt. Pleasant, which occurred April 14th at 3 p.m., conducted by Rev. J.E. Newsom of Ft. Madison, a long time friend of the family, who chose as a text, Rev. 14:13. Dr. Osborn, pastor of the church recited the 23rd Psalm and the first 11 verses of the 14th of John. Dr. Myers offered prayer and spoke a few minutes of the life and character of Sister Arrowsmith as he had known her for many years. E. John Richards presided at the organ. Mrs. Dawson sang a very appropriate solo. The Women's Relief Corps and the G.A.R. was out in a body and by their presence and in floral offering added much to the funeral service.

So ended the life of one of God's faithful servants, one held by all who knew her in honor and high esteem.
Servant of God well done
Thy glorious warfare is past.
The battle is fought, the victory is won,
And thou are crowned at last.
J.E.N.
[Mt. Pleasant News, April 16, 1917.]