STEELE, Margaret HILLIGOSS 1827 - 1896

STEELE, HILLIGOSS, FRESH, FRUSH, LITTLE, COWDEN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 6/1/2010 at 15:01:45

"The Fairfield Tribune"
August 12, 1896
Page 7, Col. 3

Death of a Mother in Israel.

Died, at the home of her son, Mr. Wm. STEELE, in Jefferson County, two miles south of Pekin, on Friday morning, August 7, 1896, Mrs. Margaret HILLIGOSS STEELE, aged sixty-nine years, three months and twelve days. The deceased was born near Rushville, Rush county, Indiana, April 25, 1827. September 7, 1844 she was united in marriage to Mr. Ira C. STEELE who died February 15, 1878. Nine children, five sons and four daughters, were given to bless this union, of which number, all of the sons and two of the daughters survive both their parents. The surviving children are Wm. H., of Pekin; Silas, of Sutherland, O'Brien county; Thomas J., of Sioux City; Mrs. Lizzie J. FRESH (sic - Elizabeth J. FRUSH), of Ottumwa; Mrs. Addie M. LITTLE (sic - Adda), of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; Marcellus P., of Tindall (sic - Tyndall), South Dakota and J. W. (sic - Ira W.), of Randolph, Nebraska, all of whom were present at the funeral excepting the last two named. In April, 1866, she was happily converted under the pastorate of the now venerable Rev. Robert Tracy, and united with the Baptist church, of which denomination she remained a faithful, consistent member until the close of life. She was one of the original members and founders of the church of her choice at Abingdon. Mrs. STEELE was a noble woman. Her highest aim and greatest joy in life was to be helpful to those about her, and her loss is not a loss to a single family, but an entire community mourns the departure of a loved and loving friend.

Her funeral took place from the family residence on Saturday, August 8th, services being conducted by Rev. C W. Wilson. The body was interred by the side of her husband in the Forrest cemetery near Abingdon. The great number of sorrowing friends that were present at the funeral and that followed the body to the tomb, spoke more positively than any words could do of the high esteem in which she was held by all.

[Ed. note: Margaret HILLIGOSS was the wife of Ira Curry STEELE, was widowed and remarried John W. COWDEN (14 Nov 1878, Jefferson County Marriages).]

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I am not related to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Per a descendant, the family arrived in Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1864.