Elizabeth "Lizzie" Gray KOCH, 1847-1892

KOCH, GRAY, GREEN

Posted By: Marsha B. Crawford (email)
Date: 5/30/2003 at 03:04:35

Gone Home.

Although it was generally known throughout the community that Mrs. Will Koch’s health was failing, still the announcement made in Miles last week Friday afternoon that she was dying brought a shock of sadness, and deep anguish was depicted on the countenances of many who knew her well and loved her tenderly; and the whisper “It cannot be” came from white lips. Intense anxiety was felt until the still sadder news came, when sorrow and regret took the place of anxious fears. Mrs. Koch had suffered from a complication of diseases for several years and during the past year she was treated by an eminent physician in Davenport and everything that human skill could devise was done to restore the useful woman, fond mother and devoted wife to health. About ten days previous to her death she visited friends in Miles and many thought that with the opening of spring she would be better. On her last day with the family she walked about the house, ate and relished her dinner. Soon after dinner her eyes involuntarily closed and she commenced sinking. Husband and friends were summoned but she could not talk to them nor see them, still she evinced consciousness by her desire to hold the hand of her husband and realize that he was near her. When her dear children left her in the morning to go to school they little thought that when they returned mother could no more greet them with her sweet smile and happy words of encouragement. If tears and lamentations could have kept her spirit from soaring through the azure blue Heaven’s rejoicing over another purified spirit would have been deferred, and mother’s face would have again beamed with delight in the happy home circle; but God’s will is supreme and he had ordered the spirit to come and at ten o’clock of the evening of Friday his angel bore it away to the realms of bliss eternal.

The following is Mrs. Koch’s history in brief, written by Hon. Geo. F. Green, a gentleman well acquainted with the family and greatly interested in their welfare:

“Mrs. Lizzie Koch was born Feb. 10, 1847, at Lyons, Iowa. She was the daughter of William and Lizzie Gray, who died at Teeds Grove, the first on Feb. 2nd and the latter on Feb. 9th, 1855, leaving six children ranging in ages from three years to 17. After the death of the parents I was appointed administrator of the estate and guardian of the children. The deceased resided the first 4 ½ years with a family in Lyons. At that time it seemed best to give her a home where better advantages could be afforded her. I brought her to my home to wait the choosing of a new home. In a short time Mrs. Green became so attached to her that she must stay with us, which she did until she married. We gave her a thorough education. She graduated at the Lyons Female Seminary while it was a protestant school.

“She was a member of the Congregational church and a true christian woman. It was her intention to unite with the M. E. church to be with her children who had recently joined that church. She leaves five children, one girl and four boys, George G., Rettie, Frank, Albert and Marshal. She died at her home near Miles, March 25, 1892.”

GEO. F. GREEN

Mr. and Mrs. Green like other relatives, were deeply affected by this sudden death. They knew their Lizzie’s good qualities. They had seen her beautiful natural traits develop into a grand character. The child they took at seven years and so much loved became a noble woman, deserving their highest esteem and holding their affections to the last. Mrs. Koch was respected by a large circle of friends and tenderly loved by those who knew her well. Carefully reared and well educated she was fitted for the duties of life which she has so faithfully performed. In her home her excellent traits shone with the most brilliancy. For 22 years she has brightened the life of her husband and cared for his aged mother as only a true christian woman could. Her children have cause to bless her memory. When such a priceless jewel is removed from the home there is cause for sorrow which only time can heal. Aching hearts will sigh for her. In the long, lonely hours the wifeless husband and motherless children will involuntarily listen for her sweet voice and home will seem so desolate because they hear it not. But while they mourn their loss in a home made so sadly dreary their loved one is

“Gracing the courts above

As essence divine supernal

With eagerness, aye, eternal

An answering charm above.”

The funeral was attended on Monday. The remains were followed to the M. E. Church by a long line of teams, some 30 in number. An unusually large number of neighbors and friends gathered to pay their tribute of respect to the departed and the large circle of mourning friends. The services were reverently conducted. The sweet, solemn singing by the choir and the appropriate words of scripture and impressive prayer by Rev. Burnard, the discourse by Rev. Bacon and the tender remarks by Rev. Kimball were in harmony with the sad event. Many eyes were filled with tears shed in sympathy with the sobs of the afflicted family. The sacred remains were encased in an elegant gray plush embossed casket, upon which rested the lovely floral offerings, consisting of wreaths and circles of natural flowers, and a large, loose bouquet of calla lilies and easter lilies with their long stems and pretty leaves and buds, filling the church with their fragrance as the sweet influence of the life gone out has filled the home and the community. At a few minutes past one the casket was lowered into the resting place in Miles cemetery, which loving hands had made beautiful with a white lining bordered with small bouquets of flowers and green leaves. The covering for the casket was handsomely decorated with flowers, green foliage and clusters of ribbon. Everything that skillful hands could do, was done to rob the last scene of its terrible gloom and sadness. The afflicted family and relatives have the sympathy of the entire community in which they have one and all been held in highest esteem.

As published in a Jackson Co., Iowa, newspaper about the first of April 1892.

__________

A Card.

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and sincere regards to the kind and willing neighbors and friends for their assistance and sympathy in the time of our deepest sorrow and saddest bereavement. We also desire to thank the M. E. choir and the ladies who attended to the floral tributes and to the beautifying of the grave.

WM. KOCH AND FAMILY

As published in a Jackson Co., Iowa, newspaper about the first of April 1892.

Mrs. Lehman and daughter, of Lyons, Mrs. Coe of Manning, R. W. Chambers and wife of Marion, and John Koch and wife of Marion, were in Miles the first of the week to attend the funeral of Mrs. Lizzie Koch. Mesdames Lehman and Coe are sisters of the deceased.

As published in a Jackson Co., Iowa, newspaper about the end of March or the beginning of April 1892.