Esther Eversmeyer Williamson

WILLIAMSON, EVERSMEYER, BISSINGER

Posted By: Judy Kelley, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/24/2010 at 17:50:04

Source: LCHS scrapbook, handwritten date of Jan. 6, 1915

MRS. WILLIAMSON IS CALLED HOME

Passed Away Last Wednesday At Her Home

SHE WAS AGED 39 YEARS

Death Came to Her Relief After a Long Illness Filled With Much Suffering - A Faithful and Interested Worker in the M.E. Church - A Good Christian Woman - Funeral Held Saturday Afternoon.

Esther Eversmeyer Williamson, wife of A. J. Williamson, was born September 4, 1875, near Wapello, Iowa, and died in her home in Wapello, Iowa, Jan. 6, 1915, her age being 39 years 4 months and 2 days. Her father and mother preceded her in death when she was a small girl, and she with the rest of the family had to provide for themselves. She managed to get a public school education and in the year 1894 graduated from the Wapello High school. After her graduation she taught school for a time in the county and on the 12th of August, 1896, she was married to Mr. Austin J. Williamson of Jefferson township near Wapello, her bereaved husband. After their marriage they lived on the Williamson farm in Jefferson Township until 1911 when they removed to the home in Wapello, where they have since resided.

Mrs. Williamson seemed to enjoy good health until last year when her health began to fail. Everything possible was done that she might regain her health, but to no avail. Last July she submitted to an operation in the Augustana Hospital, Chicago, and for a few months it seemed she would recover, but this expectation was not realized and she grew worse.

The last eight weeks of her life she was a great sufferer, but bore it with patience and at 9:10 p.m. January 6, she passed to her reward to suffer no more.

At the age of 16 years she was converted under the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Knehans and joined the German M.E. church of this city. She was always a faithful Sunday School scholar, and member of the church of her choice. In 1897 after her marriage to Mr. Williamson she had her membership transferred to the M.E. church of Wapello. She was one of the faithful members of this church, a teacher for years in the Sunday School and a worker in the church, ever ready to do her part for the advancement of God's Kingdom.

Mrs. Williamson bore her suffering heroically and said, "As the Lord wills I have placed my trust in Him, and He will not forsake me or leave me alone." With this faith in her heart she passed from this life to the life which is above.

She is survived by her bereaved husband, three brothers, C.A. and E.H. Eversmyer, of Wapello, and Louis Eversmeyer of SAnta Susana, California; and two sisters, Mrs. George Bissinger of Wapello, and Miss Elizabeth Eversmeyer of Davenport, Iowa. One brother and one sister preceded her in death.

Funeral services were held at the First M.E. church in this city, Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock, conducted by Rev. M.E. Reusch of Ottumwa, assisted by Rev. A.W. McBlain, with interment in the Wapello cemetery.