CROY, Zelina 1815 - 1891

CROY, NEWELL, RISTINE, KYLE, SMITH

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 11/8/2011 at 15:08:04

"The Fairfield Ledger"
November 18, 1891
Page 3, Column 8

She Passed Away Suddenly.

Mrs. Zelina CROY, a pioneer woman settler of Jefferson county and one of the oldest residents of Fairfield, passed away very suddenly Thursday. Mrs. CROY lived alone in her home just west of the southwest corner of the square, where she had resided for forty-six years, but took her meals with the family of J. E. Wilkins. She breakfasted that morning as usual, did some shopping at the stores and was seen on the street about 10 o'clock. Not coming to dinner at the appointed hour, Miss Kittie Wilkins was sent to see her. The young lady found Mrs. CROY lying on the floor in her home, just inside the door, in an unconscious condition. Medical aid was at once summoned, but the poor woman never rallied, and she breathed her last about 9 o'clock in the evening.

Mrs. CROY's maiden name was NEWELL, and she was born in Ohio December 18th, 1815. She came to Iowa with her parents in 1837, and in 1843, with her husband, Barnett RISTINE, removed to Fairfield. Mr. RISTINE was one of the earliest probate judges of the new county and died in this city. His widow afterwards married Mr. KYLE, who also died here, and then became the wife of Mr. SMITH, from whom she parted. A few years ago she was married to Mat. CROY, who died in this city in 1887. Mrs. CROY had a wide acquaintance among the older residents of the county, but with advancing years she led a very retired life. She had been a member of the Presbyterian church for many years. She was a woman who was quite generally esteemed by those who knew her. Funeral services were held at her late residence Friday, Dr. Magill conducting them. The remains were carried to the grave by a number of the old time friends of the dead woman.

Mrs. CROY had no children by any of her marriages. She leaves an estate valued at $8,000 to $10,000, and made no disposition of any portion of her property during her life. It is said that there are thirty-four heirs to the estate, brothers and sisters, their children and children's children, and they are scattered throughout a number of states.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, November 18, 1891
Page 6, Column 1

Death of Mrs. Zelina CROY.

Thursday of last week, a little before nine o'clock in the evening, occurred the death of Mrs. Zelina CROY, widow of the late Mathias CROY. Her demise was sudden and until within a few hours before had been wholly enexpected. During the forenoon of the day of her death Mrs. CROY had been down town and appeared in good health and unusual spirits. She was seen on the streets at half past ten. Shortly after twelve she was found in her residence by a member of Mr. J. E. Wilkin's family in an unconscious condition, having been stricken with apoplexy. A physician was summoned and her condition was found to be such that she could not recover. She lingered until twelve minutes of nine when she passed away.

Mrs. CROY was born in Indiana, Dec. 18, 1815, and was therefore seventy-six years old at the time of her death. She removed with her parents from Indiana to Henry county, this state, where she was later married to Mr. Barney RISTINE. With him she came to Fairfield in 1844, when they built and occupied the house that has just been moved from the lot where Mr. Whitaker is now building. In 1847 they built the house which has nearly ever since been occupied by her and where she finally died. Mrs. CROY was married four times, the name of her second husband being SMITH, and that of her third KYLE. Her last marriage was to Mr. Mathias CROY, who died Sept. 12, 1887. She was a woman of strong character and was possessed of much mental force and of vigorous will power.

For some months past she has been boarding with Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Wilkins, who have treated her with marked consideration and kindness. They have contributed much this summer toward making her comfortable, watching over her and caring for her as they would of an own relative.

She was buried in the new cemetery on Saturday, Nov. 14, between the graves of her first and last husband.

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"The Fairfield Tribune"
Wednesday, November 25, 1891
Page 6, Column 2

Short Term of Court.

...J. S. McKemey was appointed administrator of the estate of Zelina CROY and is to give bond in the sum of ten thousand dollars. ...

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, December 9, 1891
Page 3, Column 2

LOCAL MISCELLANY.

TOWN AND COUNTY.

... Clerk Taylor has appointed L. F. Scott administrator of the estate of Randolph Hite, deceased. The annual reports of S. J. Smith, guardian of Nathan Smith, of unsound mind, and A. D. Roberts, administrator of the estates of A. H. and Lavinia B. Regester, deceased, have been filed in his office. Orders for sale of personal property have been issued in the estates of Zelina CROY, deceased, and Randolph Hite, deceased. ...

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

Note: The order of her marriages in the first obituary is partly incorrect; Barnett RISTINE was her first husband, but she married Ecelston SMITH in Fairfield on November 14, 1856. Her third husband was Charles KYLE, whom she married in Fairfield on April 30, 1868. Matthias CROY was her fourth husband, and they married in Fairfield on January 20, 1874.

Zelina is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, in Lot Old.P.386, with Barnett and Matthias. Charles is in Upper Richwood Cemetery with his first wife. We do not know at this time where Mr. SMITH is buried.