Sophia J. (Davis) Trawver (1916)

DAVIS, TRAWVER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 3/13/2006 at 14:50:24

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
May 1916

Dies from her burns

On Monday, May 1, Mrs. J. C. Trawver, of Lincoln township, while washing, was badly burned. She had poured some high test gasoline on some clothes and in putting them into the boiler they burst into a flame setting fire to her clothes. She was badly burned about the neck, arms and abdomen. Medical aid was called and everything that could be done through skill and nurses, was done to save her life. But after a struggle of a few days she succumbed to the burns and passed away Saturday night.

Mrs. Trawver was one of our most respected and popular ladies and her death will be a sad blow to her many friends all of whom join us in extending our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved husband and sons.

The funeral occurred Monday afternoon and interment was made in the Rock City cemetery.
________________________

The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, May 10, 1916
Page 1, Column 3

Sophia J. Davis

Sophia J. Davis was born in Virginia in 1856. While a child her parents removed to Marietta, Ohio and later to Paris, Illinois. Here she received her education and later in 1878 was married to Joseph Trawver. In 1899 they removed to Clarinda, Iowa and in 1901 came to Winterset.

Four sons were born to them, Claude J. now living in Des Moines, Harry E. Trawver, now of Clarinda, Roy E. who was drowned and Willard L. now living in Corning, Iowa.
________________________

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, May 10, 1916
Page 1, Column 3

As the result of severe burns, the death of Mrs. J. C. Trawver occurred on Saturday evening, May 6th at 10:30. In doing some laundry work on last Monday, Mrs. Trawver used gasoline as a spot remover on a spread, then started to lift the spread into the boiler on the stove. The gas instantly ignited, burning her body, face and arms terribly. She ran into another room and tried to put out the flames by rolling on the rug, but the fire had penetrated the body and the shock to her system was so great that she gradually weakened and became unconscious.

Sophia Davis’ native state was Virginia, her parents after her birth, in 1856, moving west to Marietta, Ohio, and later to Paris, Ill. Here she was educated and married Joseph C. Trawver in 1878. They lived in Clarinda, Iowa from 1899 until 1901, when Winterset became the family home. Three sons remain to comfort the father; Clade of Des Moines, Harry of Clarinda and Willard, living in Corning.

The sudden and tragic close of Mrs. Trawver’s life, serves to remind her many acquaintances of the splendid traits of character and mind that were hers. Perhaps the most evident of these traits was her native generosity, a generosity that was unbounded. Energetic, affectionate and unselfish in all her relations, she will be missed by friends and family.

Maternal and filial devotion were ideal in the case of Mrs. Trawver and her sons—and in her home she was ever a happy wife and mother.

Dr. J. S. Corkey conducted the burial ceremonies at the family home west of town on Monday afternoon.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen