Anna Cole(1832-1882)

COLE, RHEA, MCNULTY, HUGHEY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/15/2008 at 08:12:05

Maquoketa Excelsior
September 8, 1882.

Death of Mrs. Eli Cole.

Mrs. Eli Cole of this city died at Batavia Medical College, near Chicago, last Friday morning, of cholera morbus, in the 50th year of her age. The announcement by telegraph of Mrs. Cole’s unexpected demise cast a cloud of sadness and regret over the faces and feelings of our citizens. The sad intelligence was heart-breaking to the husband, children, sisters and other relatives of the deceased. For nearly three months Mrs. Cole’s health has been poor, and it was with the greatest difficulty that she could be persuaded to go to Batavia Medical Institute to be treated for the nervous disease that was slowly making inroads upon her delicate constitution. She finally consented to go about six weeks since, and commenced to improve in health from the day she arrived there. About 10 days ago she wrote home that she had entirely recovered and would be home in a few days. Her family watched for her arrival at the depot every evening, but she did not come. Friday morning a dispatch came telling of her sudden and dangerous illness, and an hour later the wires informed her weeping family of the death as above stated. Her remains reached this city Saturday evening in a handsome casket, in a good state of preservation.

Dr. Patterson, her attending physician at the institute, writes that Mrs. Cole was informed of the near approach of the king of terrors a few hours before her death, and that she met her fate with Christian resignation and fortitude, expressing no other earthly wish or desire than that she might die surrounded by her loved ones at home. Her funeral was very largely attended. Mrs. Cole, whose maiden name was Anna Maria Rhea, was born at Georgetown District of Columbia, in 1832. She was married to Mr. Eli Cole in Pittsburg, in 1858, and ever since that time has resided in this city. She was the mother of four children, all of whom survive to mourn her loss. She was a sister to Mrs. G. W. McNulty and Mrs. R. M. Hughey. – Leader.