DAVIES, Mary Amanda 1844 - 1885

DAVIES, WIGGINS

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 1/25/2005 at 09:27:32

Fairfield Ledger
December 2, 1885
Pg. 3 Col. 7 & 8

Died Very Suddenly

Mrs. Mary A. DAVIES, wife of County Treasurer John DAVIES, died at her home in this city of Friday evening last very suddenly and very unexpectedly. She had been in her usual health for some time previous and through the holiday season of Thanksgiving had enjoyed its festivities and pleasures with her family. On the evening of her death she had retired about 9:30 o'clock. Probably 20 minutes later Mr. DAVIES, who was sitting in an adjoining room, heard a low moan coming from her bedroom, and upon reaching her bedside found his wife unconscious. The restoratives usual to such cases were immediately applied, and messengers sent for physicians and other assistance, and although response was quickly made nothing availed to rally the dying woman. She lingered a short time, but finally passed peacefully and quietly away. Mrs. Davies was a daughter of Eli WIGGINS, a former well known resident of Blackhawk township. She was almost 41 years of age, and was born in Washington county, Ohio. With her father's family she came to Iowa in 1860, and has since made this county her home. August 29th, 1862, she was married to John DAVIES, and three days later she bid a sad farewell to her young husband who went forth to fight his country's battles. After the war Mr. and Mrs. DAVIES continued to live in Blackhawk township until about four years ago, when the election of the husband to the county treasurer's office necessitated their removal to this city. During their almost a quarter of a century of married life seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. DAVIES. Two sons died early in life, and five children - four daughters and one son, the eldest 19, the youngest eight - survive their mother and mourn her loss. In every relation in life Mrs. DAVIES was a truly good woman. As a dutiful child, a devoted and loyal wife, a loving mother, a kind neighbor and friend, she was ever ready to answer the calls of those in distress or to lend a helping hand to those in need. In her old home in the country she was loved and esteemed by all of her acquaintance, and during her residence in this city the friendships she made were warm and lasting. The funeral occurred from the Congregational church, with which denomination both she and her husband had long been connected, Sabbath afternoon, and was largely attended. Rev. Albert McCalla conducted the services in the absence of the pastor, Rev. M. E. Dwight. Her remains were interred in the Evergreen Cemetery, side by side with the children who had preceded her to the better land.

Mr. DAVIES requests us to tender the thanks of himself and family to the friends and neighbors in this city whose kindly services in the hour of affliction are so gratefully appreciated.

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

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Added by Admin, July 2021 --

"The Fairfield Tribune"
Thursday, December 3, 1885
Page 3, Column 4

Death of Mrs. John DAVIES.--

Everybody in Fairfield was startled last Saturday morning to learn of the very sudden death of Mrs. John DAVIES, wife of the present treasurer of this county, which had occurred the night before, and which had come without a note of warning to her husband and children. After a day of usual good health and a happy evening spent with her family at home, Mrs. DAVIES had gone to her room and to bed soon after nine o'clock, leaving her husband engaged in reading. She had been unusually bright and full of spirit during the evening. Perhaps half an hour afterward her husband entered the room, when he heard his wife moaning. Death followed in a few moments. From the funeral discourse preached at the Congregational church Sunday afternoon by Rev. A. McCalla, we get the following particulars concerning the deceased:

Mary Amada (sic) DAVIES, wife of John DAVIES, Esq., of Fairfield, Iowa, was the daughter of Eli and Ann WIGGINS, and was born in Washington Co., Ohio, Dec. 6, 1844, and was therefore at the time of her death, Nov. 27th, 1885, aged 40 years, 11 months, and 21 days. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother was a Virginian. In the spring of 1860, that year of great emigration to the new west, the family moved to Iowa and settled in Blackhawk township in this county. The state was young then but strong in its young manhood and able to send an army to fight the battles of freedom. Among these volunteers two of her brothers went forth and after good service for their country laid down their lives as martyrs of liberty.

On August 29, 1862, she was married to John DAVIES, and made a good wife to a good farmer. Removing finally to Fairfield in 1881 on his election as treasurer of Jefferson county, they have since made their home in town. She was the mother of seven children, two of whom--Arthur and Lathance--passed over the river before her, and one son and four daughters still live to mourn her loss. In 1863 she united with Blackhawk Congregational church on profession of her faith in the Savior and has ever since adorned the doctrines of the gospel by a gentle, pure and earniest Christian life in all the daily ministries of home life. She had felt several slight attacks of heart trouble during the past ten years, but as they caused no pain nor produced any apparent ill result, no importance was attached to them. So the last messenger came suddenly. After spending a happy Thanksgiving, shadowed by no thought of parting, the family spent the Friday evening at home in pleasant converse; the children kissed her good night and went to bed. Presently she went to rest herself with a smile and a laugh on her lips as she left the sitting room. Scarce half an hour later her husband laid down his paper and went to retire himself and found her dead. Without a struggle or a moan she had passed away from the good night of earth to the welcome good morning of Heaven.

The funeral was very largely attended, and besides the numerous friends, it was attended by the ladies of the order of the Eastern Star and the member of the G. A. R. post. The remains were interred in the Evergreen cemetery.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, December 9th, 1885.
Page 3, Column 6

Marriages, Births and Deaths.

... Deaths.--

... Nov. 27, in Fairfield, of biliousness and physical exhaustion, Mary A. DAVIES, aged 40 years, 11 months, 21 days. ...

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, December 12th, 1885.
Page 3, Column 6

Marriages, Births and Deaths.

... Deaths.-- ..

... Nov. 27, in Fairfield, of biliousness and physical exhaustion, Mary A. DAVIES, aged 40 years, 11 months, 21 days. ...

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

Admin note: The G. A. R. is the Grand Army of the Republic, the fore-runner of the American Legion.

RKT note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, lot Old.P.256.