Jones, Margaret Johnson Rawstern – 1829-1918

CROCKER, JOHNSON, JONES, RAWSTERN, SADLER, WRIGHT

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 12/30/2022 at 17:40:06

Mrs. Margaret Jones slept away from her suffering into her new life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. D. S. Wright, in Cedar Falls, at noon on Saturday, January 19, 1918.
Mrs. Jones was born September 22, 1829, in Yorkshire, England. She came to this country with her family in her thirteenth year. The voyage of nine weeks in a sailing vessel was the first of her pioneer experiences. The Johnson family made their home in Medina county, Ohio.
At the age of nineteen Margaret Johnson was united in marriage to Samuel Rawstern, and to this marriage was born six children. The young couple started west the year following their marriage, stopped for two years in Illinois, then lived for five years in Clayton county, Iowa, a border county in those days. After seven years spent in Ohio the permanent home was made in Jasper county, Iowa. After her husband’s early death the young widow, with five small children, successfully managed the farm business.
In 1877 she was married to E. C. Jones. This union was broken by his death in 1886. Since that time she has made her home with her oldest daughter, Mrs. Sadler, at her home near Ira, Iowa, and with Mrs. Wright.
Mrs. Jones has endeared herself to many friends in her eighty-eighth year of usefulness. A life is its own test and she never failed to meet the joys and sorrows which came to her with perfect confidence, sweetness and an open heart. She had an exceptional capacity for the enjoyment of people and things. Of her last years, spent in Cedar Falls, she said, “I have enjoyed every minute I have been here.” Her love of nature was very great and she spent much time in her garden and with her flowers. The lawn at the old home became known for its beauty far beyond the immediate neighborhood. Mrs. Jones’ industrious habits were acquired early; before she was twelve years old she had made by hand twelve shirts for her father and she always did the family sewing. Members of her family treasure many pieces of fine needlework. Since spring she has been knitting sox for the Red Cross, finishing her last pair only a few days ago.
Mrs. Jones’ quiet trust in her Lord already so close – made her perfectly ready for the new life of fuller understanding to which she has gone. We who are left accept with thankfulness the benediction of her life upon us.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Clipper; January 24, 1918, page 1

Mrs. Margret Rawstern Jones, a pioneer resident died at the home of her daughter Mrs. Eliza Wright at Cedar Falls, Saturday, at an advanced age. The funeral will be held at Ashton chapel Tuesday. Interment was beside her husband, child and loved ones. She leaves two children, Elias Rawstern of Hitchcock, S.D. and Mrs. Wright, also a sister, Mrs. Sarah Crocker, who is at the sanitorium at Cedar Falls. One daughter, Mrs. Sarah Sadler died a few years ago.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Clipper; January 24, 1918, page 8 (extracted from Clear Creek news)