Mary Jane Tomlinson (1835-1918)

TOMLINSON, CURRY, PARR, HENRY

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 1/19/2009 at 10:29:59

Jackson Sentinel
March 19, 1918

Obituary

Mary Jane Tomlinson, 70 years a resident of Jackson and Jones counties, was laid to rest at the Wyoming cemetery Friday afternoon, following a funeral service at the home in Onslow, where she passed away Tuesday, March 12, following an illness of one week with pneumonia and complications. The service was conducted by Rev. Mr. Disney of the Center Junction Methodist church. The pallbearers were A. A. Garnett, Robert Streeper, Robert Scroggie and John Young. Attending the funeral from out of the city were Mrs. Elizabeth Henry, Mrs. W. J. Quinn, Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Salzer, Miss Ethel Henry of Clinton; Mrs. Fred Stoddard of Monmouth; William Tomlinson of Center Junction; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Parr of Wyoming.

Mary Jane Curry was born May 5, 1835, at Columbus, Ohio. When a girl of 13 years of age, she came with her parents overland in a company of immigrants who crossed the Mississippi river on a ferry boat and went to Jackson county near Canton, where they established their homes on the prairie, cutting the timber and fashioning their own house, a log cabin.

May 11, 1850, Mary Curry was united in marriage with Joseph Tomlinson, and together they went to the Tomlinson farm homestead one mile north of Onslow, where they lived until 24 years ago when they retired from farm life and went to Onslow, where Joseph Tomlinson died January 11, 1911.

One son, Jesse, was the only child to bless their union. He survives his mother, together with one grandson, L. J. Tomlinson of Onslow; a brother, Joseph Parr of Wyoming, and a sister Mrs. Elizabeth Henry of Clinton.

Mary Tomlinson, a pioneer of Iowa 11 years before the state was admitted to the Union, was a soldier of the early days, braving hardship and toil with her companion of 61 years and laboring with him through storm and sunshine to save earthly substance enough to allow them to enjoy comfort and retirement together as they traveled on the journey of life westward toward the setting sun.

When her companion was called away, Mary Tomlinson braved life alone, keeping up the duties of her household winter and summer until three weeks ago, when she was taken sick. One week ago she was taken to her bed, and as a realization of her closing life came over her, she talked the future over with her loved ones, and Tuesday night, March 12, at 8 o’clock, she crossed the bar into her Father’s house to join her loved ones gone before.

That day the little house in Onslow was closed, but in the hearts of all who knew her as a neighbor and friend, the memory of Mary Tomlinson’s life will live as a blessing.