Phillips, Mary Josephine (Bodley) 1846-1900

PHILLIPS, BODLEY, CLARK, THOMPSON, GARDNER, HOLMES, SLAVENS, WILCE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/11/2005 at 10:52:50

The Newton (IA) Record Thursday, March 15, 1900
Mrs. Harry Phillips Dead

Phillips, Mary Josephine (Bodley)

Died, at her home in this city, on Sunday morning, March 18th, Mrs. Harry Phillips, aged fifty-three years, four months and twenty-two days. Of the many deaths, which have occurred this city during the past year, none have caused more profound sorrow in the hearts of a wider circle of friends that that of Mrs. Phillips. From childhood she had lived in this vicinity, loved, honored and respected. The cheery, happy-hearted disposition, which made her a favorite among the associates of her youth, when the writer first knew her, was characteristic of her entire life, and in mature years endeared her to everybody with whom she came in contact.

Mary Josephine Bodley, daughter of Levi and Rebecca Bodley, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, on October 26th, 1846. When Mary was about 12 years old the family moved to Jasper County, Iowa, settling on what is known as the Bodley farm, about five miles west of Newton. Here Mary grew to womanhood, learning the lessons of active farm life in the home, and an education as a scholar and teacher in our schools.

On the 14th day of September 1865, she was united in marriage with Harry H. Phillips, spending four years on their farm near the old home, from whence they moved to the Allen Drake farm in Palo Alto Township, six miles southeast of Newton, where they lived for thirty years.

Three children came to bless this union, Cora, wife of Thomas Clark, Maud, wife of Robert Thompson, and Paul, the youngest, now fitting himself to enter Ames College. Of her own family three brothers and one sister have preceded her. There are living, Mrs. Amanda Gardner and Joseph Bodley of California, Mrs. Sarah Holmes of Iowa City, Mrs. Ann Slavens of Colfax, Evert L. Bodley on the old home, and Mrs. Eva Wilce of Chicago, now in Switzerland.

A few months ago Mr. and Mrs. Phillips retired from the farm, intending to take life easier for the balance of the time here. To this end they bought property in Newton and were fixing themselves for an easy life. Mrs. Phillips had felt the need of quitting active work for more than a year, but never thought herself seriously ailing; yet this active, buoyant, robust life was the binds under which the disease had entered and fortified itself in every vital organ of the system so medical aid could not bring relief.

As daughter, sister, companion, mother, neighbor and friend, Mrs. Phillips was all that a patient, loving, kindly nature could produce, and her removal will be keenly felt and bring sadness of heart to a wide circle of neighbors and friends. To the connecting families her departure is more than a loss; while, to that companion of so many years of sweet counsel, those daughters, moulded by her wise loving intelligent counsel into noble womanhood, and that youthful son who can no more counsel with mother, what is their bereavement. Grievous beyond expression; yet not without comfort and even joy, in the full assurance of a life well spent; the bright pathway of which dispels the darkness of their homes and assures companionship and mothers love through never ending eternity.

Mrs. Phillips has been an active working member of the Methodist Church for many years, and while engaging in making preparations for this life was fully prepared and every ready for that better life when the toils and cares of this life were over.

Funeral services were held at the First M. E. Church at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Revs. J. C. Willits and A. S. Loveall. The Woman’s Relief Corpse, of which Mrs. Phillips was a member, attended in a body and assisted in the service with the beautiful ritual of their order. The music was by the church choir. The large audience room was filled with sorrowing and sympathizing friends, many coming from the old neighborhood where so many happy years of her life had been passed.

Mr. Phillips and his children feel very grateful to those who showed them so much sympathy and kindness during the long illness of their loved one.

Originally submitted on Fri Nov 15 19:24:53 2002