Katherine (Clapperton) Smillie 1820-1907

CLAPPERTON, SMILLIE, MERRYFIELD, VANNOSTRAND

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 2/20/2020 at 17:41:12

Katharine Clapperton, daughter of Capt. Hugh and Mary Clapperton, was born August 10, 1820, in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Merryfield, in Delta, Iowa, Mar. 1st, 1907, at the age of 86 years, 7 months and 19 days.

She was married to David Smillie, of Dundee, Scotland, on November 12, 1836, who died February 23, 1902. To this union five children were born, three, Mary, Camelia and Annie, having crossed the dark river of death prior to the mother, and Mrs. Margaret VanNostrand and Mrs. Mary Merryfield are left to mourn.

Grandma Smillie was a true Christian woman. She was a member of the Scotch Presbyterian church having been confirmed in the church at the age of 15 years. She died as she lived, a true, staunch believer in the faith she had embraced in her childhood days. The beautiful Psalms she had learned at her mother's knee were a continual comfort and delight to her last days, especially that blessed 23d Psalm.

She came to her grave at a ripe old age, She lived to see the third generation, and was a grandmother to ten children and great grandmother to 25 children.

Thus closes the life of one of our pioneer citizens. It closed like a sheaf of wheat that is ripe for the reapers. Her life's work was ended, and God called her to higher realms, to the home of immortality, promised to his faithful followers.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist church, Sunday morning at ten o'clock, Rev. Deyeo conducting the funeral services. The remains were laid to rest in the family burying grounds.

(Brooks Cemetery) near Hedrick.
Keokuk Co. News, March 14, 1907