Allfree, Sophia (McGovern) 1831-1924

ALLFREE, MC GOVERN, PHELPS

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 1/31/2005 at 19:24:07

Early Settler Dies Here Today.
Mrs. Sophia Allfree Lacked But Seven Years of Reaching.
Century Mark -- Old Age Cause of Death

Mrs. Sophia Allfree, one of the early pioneer settlers of Jasper county, died this morning at 9:30 o'clock after an illness of three weeks resulting from complications caused by her advanced age.

She was not considered seriously ill until a week ago and since that time friends had been concerned about her condition.

Sophia McGovern was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, near Uniontown, in 1831. She came to Rock Island with her parents when but a young girl. There she met and married A. K. Allfree, February 25, 1837, and to this union were born two children.

In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Allfree moved to Jasper county, Iowa, to what is known as the A. K. homestead, which was purchased of Mr. Allfree's father for a few dollars an acre. Here the Allfree family has continued to live. Mr. Allfree died in July 1916 and Mrs. Allfree lived with her son, H. I. Allfree where she has been tenderly cared for. Tommy Rodgers, who was editor of the Record, once paid Mrs. Allfree the following tribute:

"In her active years, she was a source of help and comfort to everyone. In sickness she was ever ready to lend a willing and welcome service to all who needed help. In health, her happy disposition had greatly helped to lighten the burden of discouragement in those pioneer days of the 60's when she was loved by her neighbors far and near for her splendid sterling worth.

" Mrs. Allfree's only daughter, Mrs. Clara Allfree Phelps, died last October in Des Moines.

She leaves her son H. I. Allfree, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren besides a host of friends and more distant relatives.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock at Sugar Grove Grange hall.

Burial will be made in the Sugar Grove cemetery. ~ Newton Daily News, Newton, IA, March 31, 1924