Weston, Caroline (Tramel) 1840-1925

WESTON, TRAMEL, BYAL

Posted By: Carol Cummings (email)
Date: 5/15/2005 at 13:45:23

FUNERAL FOR IRA PIONEER Services Conducted For "Cookie Lady" Monday Afternoon

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in Ira for Mrs. Caroline Tramel Weston. Rev. V. Rodgers, of Colfax, had charge of the service. Burial was made in the Union Chapel cemetery in Ira.

Those who attended the funeral were: Alex Campbell of Manning, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. William Stoufer and son, Mrs. Harry Emmack of Colfax, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Baldwin of near Farrar, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Jones of Rhodes, Mrs. Jay Mason, Harry Crampey, Mr. Guy Hardesburg of Baxter, Mrs. Frank Montgomery, Mrs. Opal Welch, Mrs. Effie Livingston, Dorothy and Coral Rumbaugh of Des Moines.

Caroline Tramel, daughter of Wm. A.B. and Cynthia Tramel, was born in Kosciusko Co. Indiana, Oct 29th 1840 and passed away at her home in Ira, Iowa Jan. 24th 1925 at the age of 84 years, 2 months and 26 days. She moved with her parents to Iowa in October 1852, making the trip overland with oxen.

They settled on the old homestead north west of Ira where she lived until she was united in marriage to John W. Weston, September 6th, 1860 at which time they moved to the farm where they resided until after the death of her husband Feb. 22nd 1903. In December of that year she moved to Ira where she has resided ever since.

To this union were born eight children, four of whom still survive, Charles S., Sidney W., Roy R., and Carl, all of the vicinity and Ida, Cora, Elsworth and Emma who have passed to the great beyond. Besides the four sons she leaves to remember her seven grandchildren.

In November, 1886, her son Elsworth was taken by death. One month after, she was called to the death bed of her daughter Ida Byal, who lived in western Nebraska. The night of her death Mrs. Weston was left alone with two small children, her son Carl and grand daughter Rossie while the husband walked four miles to summon help.

Little Rossie was taken to her home where she was loved and cared for as an own child until her death at the age of two years and two months.

Mrs. Weston became a Christian in 1868 when she and her husband united with the Baptist church at Elm Grove school house, and in January 1903 placed their membership with the Christian church of Ira where she has been a faithful, helpful and beloved member ever since.

Mrs. Weston was one of the most useful citizens in the community, although she has been a constant sufferer for many years the fortitude with which she has borne it all has been beyond the comprehension of those nearest and dearest to her. She loved her family, her home, her neighbors and friends and the joy of her life has always been in doing and sacrificing for others. Even the children who were want to call her "the cookie lady" will never forget the kindly, generous spirit of "Grandma Weston."

Her beautiful flower gardens were admired by all and she was never too busy to stop and pluck a bouquet for the many friends who were ever passing to and from the hospitable home of Aunt Caroline. The world was made better for her having lived in it and she leaves as a monument to a long and useful life an inspiration of helpfulness, kindness and patience in this world of sorrow. ~ Newton Daily News, January 28, 1925, p. 2, col. 1

Originally submitted on Sun Jul 5 19:51:54 1998