STEVER, Mrs. Elizabeth PARK 1803 - 1900

STEVER, PARK, DAVID, LONG, GLASGOW, AXLINE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/12/2006 at 12:46:29

"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, March 14, 1900
Page 6, Column 3

OBITUARY. Mrs. Elizabeth STEVER was the daughter of John and Margret PARK. She was born in Newark, N.J., Aug. 3, 1803. She moved with her parents to Huntingdon County, Pa., in 1811. Aug. 6, 1826, she was united in marriage with Mr. Adam STEVER at Cassville, said county.

About one year later Mr. and Mrs. STEVER joined the Lutheran Church at that place, Mr. STEVER's father being practically the builder of that house of worship. They came to Jefferson County, Iowa, 1844, purchasing the farm of Mr. Chas. DAVID, one mile west of this city, where they have now both finished Life's Journey, Father STEVER preceding her to the spirit world Aug. 30, 1858.

The Lutheran Church of Fairfield today feels also the tender touch of sorrow, laid upon her, by the hand of God, that has finally and gently called home to heaven, this dear old mother in Israel. For she and her husband of blessed memory, were charter members of this congregation.

When this house of worship was built, no one toiled more constantly, nor gave more liberally than did brother Adam STEVER. This and the fact that Bro. STEVER was the first one whose funeral service was held in this house, will never be forgotten by this people.

There were given twelve children to this union. Those surviving are Mrs. Cath. LONG, Solomon F., George, Mrs. Anna M. GLASGOW, John W., Mrs. Almira AXLINE, wife of Rev. A. AXLINE, Miss Elizabeth and Miss Louise Jane, and Dr. David H. STEVER. At her death she had eighty living descendants, viz: Nine children, twenty-nine grandchildren, and forty-two great-grandchildren.

The history of this deceased and noble christian life is of more than usual interest. She was born in the same year Thos. Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase. Her grandfather was with Gen. Geo. Washington at Valley Forge. Her great-grandfather served in the French and Indian War, and also in the Revolutionary War, being connected with Gen. Washington's command. Her father's people were English, and her mother's Scotch (sic).

She has been quite generally known in this city and county for her kindness to those in need, and epecially for tender sympathy for motherless children, of whom she raised not less than nine, besides her own twelve, to whom she was always a loving and devoted mother.

Thank God! That same love and care was again in turn bestowed upon her during the past number of years, when she constantly needed it; by her children, and especially by her patient, faithful daughters, the Misses Elizabeth and Jane STEVER. She lived to the ripe age of 96 years 7 months and 4 days. We believe we can appropriate to Mother STEVER the words of Revelations, 14:13 -- "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."

The funeral service was held at the Lutheran Church, conducted by Rev. Funkey. Dr. Magill offered prayer. The sermon was a practical one, from Psalms 35:14 -- "I bowed down heavily as one that mourneth for his mother."

----

"The Fairfield Ledger"
March 14, 1900
Page 3, Column 5

LIVED ALMOST A CENTURY. Elizabeth STEVER, who was probably the oldest person in point of years and one of the early settlers of Jefferson County, died at her home a mile west of this city Wednesday night... The family came to Jefferson County in 1844 and located on a tract of land a mile west of the city.... Two years later Mr. STEVER began the erection of a house which has been a home for his family for more than half a century, and is still very comfortable. The brick was burned under his direction perhaps a mile west of the site and the timber was taken from the adjoining woods. This building was not completed until 1848 and in the two preceding winters the kitchen was used as a school house....

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Lot Old.P.123 with husband Adam; he was originally interred in Old Fairfield City Cemetery Lot 30, but moved to Evergreen at some point. He has a gravestone, she does not.