Lynch, Mary E. 1852-1931

LYNCH, MCCRACKEN, COOMS

Posted By: Nora Borts (email)
Date: 6/12/2011 at 22:21:29

Pioneer Mother Passed Away Sat. Evening

Death Released Mrs. Mary Lynch After a lingering illness

Saturday evening, Dec. 5th, at her home at the south edge of Colfax. She had been in failing health for several years, but the past six months, while she was not always confined to her bed, her decline was more rapid and noticeable to family and friends, who did their utmost to make her last days as comfortable as possible. She was 79 years of age at her passing.
For the past seventy-six years she has been pratically a full time resident of Jasper County, living the majority of the time in Mound Prairie and Washington townships. Coming to Iowa from Licking county, Ohio, where she was born, with her parents, when but a child, she began sharing early in the hardships endured by the first pioneers. However, hers was a life of service and she complained not at the trials which beset her path.
For a number of years, since the sale of the farm in Mound Prairie township, where she and her husband had lived, the home has been at the south edge of Colfax, where Mr. Lynch died and Mrs. Lynch and daughter have lived since made their home.
She was a good wife and mother, her home and family being her chief occupation, a hearty welcome always awaiting relatives and friends.
She is survived by one daughter, Miss Mamie B. Lynch and three brothers, Franklin, Sherm and Wesley McCracken, all of Colfax.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock from the home, with Rev. L. C. McDonald, pastor of the Methodist Church, officiating.
Interment was had in the Colfax cemetery.
Obituary next week......

Obituary-- Mrs. J. C. Lynch
Mary Emiline, daughter of John and Rebecca Coomes McCracken, was born July 4, 1852, in Licking county, Ohio, and departed this life December 5, 1931, in her home at the age of 79 years, 5 months and 1 day. She was the eldest of a family of eleven children, seven of whom have preceded her in death.
In the spring of 1855, she accompanied her family to Iowa, settling on the McCracken homestead south of Colfax. She has been a continous resident of Jasper County since that date, nearly 77 years.
Sixty-two years ago she united with the Methodist Episcopal church in Prairie City, retaining her membership there until October 1922, when she transferred to Colfax. In her faith professed so long ago, she remained steadfast to the end.
On February 20, 1877 she was united in marriage to James C. Lynch in Prairie City. Two children were born to this union, one dying in infancy and Mamie B., at home. Her husband preceded her in death on March 27, 1919.
Surviving are the daughter, Mamie B., and three brothers, Franklin P., William S., Wesley, all of Colfax.
During her more than three quarter's century of residence here, the departed has witnessed the transformation of this section from virgin prairie to the present thickly settled country. In the true pioneer way, she came here in 1855 with her father, mother and a younger sister, in a covered wagon. Their first home was a log cabin, a short distance east of her present home. When a house was built on the homestead, they moved there. The troubles and problems were bravely met by the departed. Out of it she developed strength and character and optimism, never complaining of the burdens she was called upon to bear.
Throughout change she has remained steadfast. Her disposition was unruffled. She was calm, quiet, retiring, much devoted to her home and loved ones. Those left behind are grieved at her departure, but they can be comforted by the memory of her long life well spent and her goal attained. Her sentiments concerning her departure can be best expressed with a poem,
Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me
And may there be no moaning of the bar
When I put out so sea.
For tho' from out our bourne of time and place,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face,
When have crost the bar
Funeral services were conducted from the home, December 9th, with Rev. L. C. McDonald officiating. Rev. McDonald sang "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood" at the services at the home and another of Mrs. Lynch's favorites hymns at the cemetery.
Pall Bearers were Charles and Frank Evans, Charles Holdefer, Lou Clark, J. H. Hahn and Charles French of Prairie City.
Burial was had in the Colfax cemetery.
Those from a distance attending the funeral services were Dewey McCracken of Sioux City; Robert Moore of Cumberland, Iowa; Mrs. Marry Skow, Mrs. Irving Skow, Mrs. Bert Kennedy, Mrs. Robt Spearing and Mrs. John Reynolds of Newton; Mr. and Mrs. Charles French of Prairie City; Mr. and Mrs. Will Stauffer of Prairie City; Harry Paschal of Valley Junction; Mrs. Dot Silsby and daughter Mildred of Des Moines, and Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Hanel of Prairie City.

CARD OF THANKS

I desire to express my thanks for the many kindnesses and the assistance shown during the illness and death of my beloved mother, and also to express my appreciation for the beautiful floral offerings.
Mamie B. Lynch

Taken from the Colfax Tribune, Colfax, Iowa Jasper County, Iowa
Thursday, 10 Dec., 1931
(note- typed it as written)