Ashley, Maranda Ann (Helphrey) 1835-1917

ASHLEY, HELPHREY, CAIN, WILSON, POWERS, BISHOP, BROWN

Posted By: Dee Helphrey Stamper (email)
Date: 7/12/2003 at 22:09:34

The Newton Daily News, Newton, IA
Feb. 26, 1917

Many Friends Pay Respect to Old Friend at last Services Yesterday

Mrs. Ashley’s funeral was held from the United Presbyterian Church yesterday at 2 o’clock, the services being conducted by the pastor, Rev. W. O. Chisholm. A large number of people attended as Mrs. Ashley was one of the early pioneers of this part of the country.

A quartet consisting of Carrie Miles, Mrs. J.B. Burr, Don and Sayre Miles sang beautiful Psalm selections and Miss Miles and Mrs. Burr also sang. There were beautiful floral offerings.

Attendants from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cain of Colfax, daughter and son-in-law of the deceased, and Mr. and Mrs. George Robinson of Marshalltown. Mrs. Robinson is a niece of the departed.

The pall bearers were Messrs James Gardner, Ray McQuiston, Harry Hashnert and John Hashnert.

Maranda Ann Helphrey was born in Licking County, Ohio, Dec. 7th, 1835. She grew to young woman-hood in her native place coming overland with the family to Newton in the year 1853.

On April 15, 1862 the deceased was married to Riley Ashley of Newton who preceded her in death, Jan. 16, 1893.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ashley were born four children, Ellsworth of Newton, Mrs. Katie Cain of Colfax and Jacob Wilson and Josephine both of whom died in infancy.

Besides these two surviving children there remain to mourn their loss one granddaughter, Nadine Cain and fours sisters; Mrs. Mary Wilson of Los Angles, Calif.; Mrs. J.K. Powers of Mountain View, Calif.; Mrs. John Bishop of Kansas City, Mo., and Mrs. Kate Brown of Newton.

In early life Mrs. Ashley made profession of her faith in Christ and united with a church of the Congregational branch; later, with her husband she attended the Methodist church. The failing health of later years kept her much from the public worship of God, but it was her constant desire to go. It will be remembered that she was an attendant of the recent Tabernacle meetings and it was a great regret with her, that ill health forbade constant attendance.

Her life was that of the sturdy early pioneers among whom she shared the common burdens and privations. Her worldly ambitions were the worthy ones of which center about the home in a firm purpose to live right, rear her children well and to fulfill her part as a faithful member of her community.

Since the death of her husband the deceased has made her home, part of the time with her daughter, Mrs. Cain in Colfax and other times with her son Ellsworth on the farm near Newton. It was there that the summons came to her Friday, Feb. 23rd, at 10:30 a.m. after more that four score years attained by few of this race and generation. She was aged 81 years, 2 months, and 16 days