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SHURR, Harriet (Cackett) 1846-1928

SHURR, CACKETT, CARPENTER, PARISH

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/10/2010 at 17:46:53

Many from this vicinity were in attendance at the funeral services at the Methodist Episcopal church at Luverne, Minn., to pay their last respects to one of Lyon county's real pioneers, Mrs J. B. Shurr. Services were held at 2;30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon and burial was made in the Luverne cemetery.

Harriet Cackett was born in England April 14, 1846. When but a little girl she came to America with her parents and for a time lived in New York state. The family then moved to Wisconsin, where they remained for several years before going back to New York to make their home and where Harriet Cackett grew to womanhood.

She was married to John B. Shurr in 1865, and came to Lyon county in 1870. They located shortly after their arrival in the middle west, on a school section in Iowa on what has been known for many years as the "Lone Tree Farm". Their trip to this part of the country was made with an ox team, having to ford rivers, creeks and sloughs this side of the Blue Earth river. The first home was only a dugout in the shadow of a huge cottonwood tree, which has been a landmark to many for over fifty years. The only neighbors of the Shurrs for a long time were the Indians, who seldom proved troublesome, except to beg for bread and other food.

Mrs. Shurr was left along with the children considerably, for in the earliest days provisions could only be procurred from Sioux City and LeMars, and these trips caused much dread and anxiety to the brave little mother. She knew the dangers of the long trips by ox team over the prairies, which Mr Shurr was occasionally forced to make. Not only were the Indians a menace but with the winter came the blizzards and with the warm weather came the prairie fires and grasshoppers or other pests.

It took a strong spirit to withstand the ordeals of the early day and Mrs Shurr seemed to be possessed with such. She was a wonderful Christian woman, never losing her faith in the Supreme Being, even thru her deepest trials. She was always ready to help those in distress, often acting as doctor or nurse for those who later settled near her, and at times, when a minister could not be present, acted in that capacity in time of death.

She and Mr Shurr were charter members of the Congregational churches of both Ash Creek and Ellsworth, and were also instrumental in the organization of the first Sunday school in Rock county.

To Mr and Mrs Shurr were born nine children, all of whom are living but a daughter, Lillian, who died when a small child.

Mr and Mrs Shurr lived on Lone Tree Farm until 1903, when they moved to Sioux Falls. Fourteen years later they moved to Luverne, Minn., which was their home until time of death.

Mr Shurr passed away March 7, 1918. Mrs Shurr and a daughter, Nettie, continued to make Luverne their home after the death of Mr Shurr. Mrs Shurr was taken ill with the flu some days before death and on account of her advanced years was not able to withstand the diesease. She passed away Sunday, Sept 30, at about 1:30 a.m.

She is survived by her children; Agnes Carpenter, of New York; Carl Shurr of Berthold, ND.; Nettie Shurr, of Luverne, Minn.; Fred Shurr, of Lansford, ND.; George Shurr, of Ellsworth, Minn.; Frank B. Shurr, of Luverne, Minn.; Edward Shurr, of Chinook, Mont.; and Grace Parish, of Clear Lake, SD., and 17 grandchildren.

Those who knew Mrs. Shurr can only praise her in the highest terms. Her good deeds have been scattered far and wide over this vicinity and she will ever be remembered as one of the real pioneers of Lyon county who never thought of selfish gain or comfort but who helped to make the surrounding community what it is today.

(Rock Rapids Review Oct 4, 1928)


 

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