Burgess, Emily Jane (Copper) 1852-1917

COPPER, BURGESS, POTTS, NICHOLAS

Posted By: Jill McCarville (email)
Date: 5/8/2014 at 16:59:01

Emily Jane Copper was born in New Castle, Penn., April 29, 1852, the eldest child of J.L. and Ellen Copper. The family lived for a time in Ohio and in Wisconsin, later moving to Ossian, Iowa. While living in Ossian she attended boarding school in Mt. Sterling, Wis., and for a brief time served as teacher. This work she gave up to become the wife of Henry C. Burgess, Oct. 2nd, 1868, a bride of sixteen years.

The following year their first child was born and after a few weeks of illness died. The other sons, Charles, Ray and Joseph, with their families,live in Cresco. She had two brothers and two sisters, Mrs. J.R. Potts now living in Des Moines, Jas. W. Copper in Lake City, Mrs. C.E. Nicholas in Rock Island, and Chas. Copper in Elkhart.

For twelve years at the sacrifice of her own health she cared faithfully for her husband's invalid mother. She united with the Congregational church in Cresco and served for many years as deaconess, an honor which she held with a deep feeling of responsibility. After patient suffering she died in her home in Cresco, May 6th, 1917, two months after the death of her husband.

To the great circle of friends in all walks of life, whose love and confidence she kept through all the years, the death of Mrs. Burgess brings a personal loss. She was never too busy to give willing ear to the great number who found help and comfort in confiding in her.

If she conceived anything to be a duty, great or small, she let nothing interfere with the fulfilling of it, never sparing herself. Her joy was found as her life was spent, in ministering to the needs and pleasures of her family. She was a noble wife and mother, a true woman.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the home conducted by Rev. W.A. Bockoven and burial was in Oaklawn.

The Howard County Times May 15, 1917 Page 3
Transcribed by Jill McCarville from the files of Janice Sowers

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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