Pierce, Lucia 1845-1926

PIERCE, PHILLIPS, VARCO, MATTHEWS

Posted By: Jo (email)
Date: 5/17/2007 at 17:27:53

RANKS OF PIONEERS ARE WEAKENED IN THE PASSING OF MRS. LUCIA PIERCE
One by one the early day settlers of this city and community are leaving us and almost every week we are called upon to chronicle the passing of one of these splendid old people who have contributed the greater part of their lives and labors for the upbuild of the community which they loved as "home." Shortly after noon Sunday, April 25, death touched the the hand of Mrs. Lucia Pierce, who after an illness of about three weeks passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Rayburn Phillips on West Platt street, at the advanced age of nearly eighty-one years. For the past several years she had made her home with her children here and elsewhere, but her time-tried friends and familiar surroundings of this community always suggested to her that this was the spot and home ideal.
Lucia Amelia Matthews, eldest daughter of William and Adeline Matthews was born July 29, 1845 in Poland, Ohio, and with her parents came to Iowa in the spring of 1856, locating in Farmers Creek township which had been her home for many years. On December 25, 1866 she was united in marriage to Michael H. Pierce, to which union eight children were born, two of whom, William and Bertha, died in infancy, Claude, age 26, passing away May 2, 1913. The husband and father preceded the deceased in death July 22, 1906. Left to mourn the loss of a kind, loving mother are three sons, Edward of Clinton, Arthur of St. Charles, Ill, and Clifford of this city; also two daughters, Mrs. R. B. Phillips of this city and Mrs. Marguerite Varco of Minneapolis. Two brothers, James Marrhews of Mason City and John Matthews of Maquokdeta, and twelve grandchildren also suvive.
Mrs. Pierce united with the Methodist Episcopal church several years ago under the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Kidder, in this city, and had since been an earnest and devout member. For twenty-five years she had been a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, always ready to help any worthy or patriotic cause. A good woman, a kind mother, and a loyal friend and neighbor has left us and we as a community can look upon her passsing as a loss to those whom she served so long and well.
Funeral Services were held from the R. B. Phillips home this Tuesday morning at 10:30 o'clock, Rev. F. C. Worcester officiating. Interment was made in the Sutton cemetery.
DEATH DATE: April 25, 1926
SOURCE: Private collection of newspaper clippings