Guthrie, Martha (Thompson) 1829-1907

GUTHRIE, THOMPSON, SPENCER

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 2/23/2005 at 12:42:31

What a gracious beautiful friend death is to one who has longed and prayed for its coming. Such was death to dear grandma Guthrie, who passed away from life to the fair land beyond, last Saturday, Feb. 9, 1907, just after midnight. It was a delightful way for her, that journey feared by so many, no evil did she fear for her Pilot was with her and all was well.

She had been ill with bronchial pneumonia and for some weeks her life shadows were meeting eternity’s day, so that both to her and her friends the change was expected. It was a natural transition, a quiet slipping away.

Grandma Guthrie was born in Delaware County, Indiana, and had she lived ten days longer, she would have reached the age of 78 years.

Her maiden name was Martha Thompson. When she was only three years old her mother died, and at the age of eight years her father died leaving her to the care of distant relatives. She came to Iowa in the spring of 1856 to make a home for her brother, Wilson Thompson, now deceased, and his motherless boy, Samuel A. Thompson, of this city. To Samuel she gave a love and care of a mother.

With her brother she entered a section of prairie land in the southeast part of Jasper County.

Altho being left an orphan at an early age, she made a success of life.

June the 22, 1858, she married Isaac N. Guthrie. To them were born seven children, four sons and three daughters. Two sons and one daughter survive: Ami T., Charles G. and Lillie N. (Mrs. Bert Spencer). They all lived near to comfort and care for her in her declining years, and any one of them would have been glad to have had her make her home with them, but she preferred to live in her own cottage home and have her children visit her there.

She had six grandchildren, and they were her pride. She was never quite so happy as when all her children and grandchildren were with her.

Her husband died Nov. 23, 1897, on the old farm southwest of town, where they had made their home for 45 years. This is now the home of her son Chas. Guthrie.

She was a kind, hard working woman. Gentle in disposition and by her many acts of kindness to the poor and needy, had won the love of all.

Five years ago last June, while visiting at the home of her daughter, she fell and broke a hip. From this fall she had never fully recovered, but through all the pain and suffering she never complained, but was always cheerful and patient.

Monday afternoon at two o’clock the funeral was held from the Presbyterian Church. It was conducted by her pastor, Rev. W. W. Hess. His text was “Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.” The beautiful song, “Jesus Lover of My Soul,” was sung. Both the text for the sermon and this song were sung at her husband’s funeral, and they were used at her son, John Guthrie’s, funeral. The interment was in the Newton Cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, Wednesday, February 13, 1907, Page 1, Column 3