Clemmer, Phebe (Thornburg) 1840 – 1897

CLEMMER, THORNBURG

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/22/2024 at 16:07:27

Iowa Plain Dealer December 31, 1897, LP, C4

Obituary of Mrs. Clemmer.
From the Times.
Mrs. Phoebe Clemmer was the daughter of Ephriam and Mary Thornburg and was born near Belaire, Ohio, March 17, 1840. The family removed to Beloit, Wis., about 1846. She was educated and graduated at Beloit College, Wis., and removed with her parents, in 1858, to the farm about one mile north of Cresco. She was married to Dr. J. J. Clemmer at New Oregon on April 11th 1858. In the same year she united with the Congregational Church in New Oregon, then under the pastoral care of Rev. John W. Windsor. During their residence at New Oregon, two children were born to them, who died in early life. Dr. and Mrs. Clemmer were among the earliest residents of Cresco. Six children were born to them here, one dying in infancy, the remaining five survive her.
The words that characterize Mrs. Clemmer best are these: “She was a noble woman—nobly planned, to warn, to comfort and command.” Her woman’s heart took in all. No one ever came to her for comfort in the hour of grief, or for help in the hour of suffering or temptation and was turned away empty handed. She gave of herself magnificently, even to the last. She was a home maker as all know, who in her parlor have met her smiling face often in the days gone by. To her aged parents she was a dutiful daughter, to her husband, an affectionate wife, and to her children a devoted and indulgent mother. The strong charm of her life was her thoughfulness{sic} of others.
The funeral services which were held at the family residence were attended by a large concourse of people. Her pastor Rev. O. H. Holmes delivered a tender and glowing tribute to her memory. He said, in substance:
“A funeral service like this is but a tryst with memory. There is no higher test of the worth of Mrs. Clemmer’s character then the use we make of her memory. As we think of her being in that life beyond a new feeling, a deeper meaning steals in our life, and we can easier say ’Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,’ because she is in heaven. It is for us to demonstrate what use we will make of her memory. Now that she is gone, is her memory that is so fragrant with many acts of kindness—so much sweet spirited godliness—such unstinted outpouring of self sacrifice—is this to be all lost? Nay, not so. We are here today but to recall to mind what she was, to seek the guiding star of her life, and here before her dust to pledge ourselves anew to duty. This is our task of life henceforth. To knit our brows to the daily task and prove by our lives that her death does exalt those who remain behind to weep. She was taken that we might be better ‘We are uplifted by the influence of her who has gained those heights of saintly character for which we pine.’ She has walked with God and is not, for God hath taken her. As the gates above open for her to pass through we are touched by the light of immortality.”

“T’is whispering now within the heart,
We hear it rise and fall,
A song of those who answer not,
How ever we may call.

They throng the silence of the breast,
We see them, as of yore,
The fair, the kind, the true, the brave,
Who walk with us no more.

More home like seems the vast unknown
Since they have entered there;
To follow them were not so hard,
Wherever they may fare.

They cannot be where God is not,
On any sea or shore,
Whate’er besides Thy love abides,
Our God for ever more.”

Dr. Clemmer and family desire to return sincere thanks to the many kind friends who so generously remembered them in the hour of sorrow and affliction.

Transcriber’s Note: The gravestone photo shows the spelling of her first name as Phebe

Source: Decorah Republican Dec. 30, 1897 P 5 C 1

Mrs. Dr. Clemmer, of Cresco, died
Sunday morning, aged about 57.

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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