Nancy Irwin

IRWIN, ANDERSON, CLIFTON, HOWARD, MINARD, HAGAN

Posted By: Linda Brittain (email)
Date: 3/23/2006 at 07:58:26

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
March 15, 1901 – page 1

In Memoriam

Nancy Irwin was born in Ballibay, county Monaghan, Ireland, August 16, 1826, and died at her home near Truro, Iowa, March 9, 1901, aged 74 years, six months and twenty-one days.

In Sept. 1842 her parents came to America and settled near Cadiz, Ohio. She went to Boston in 1847, where she remained for five years, after which she returned to Cadiz and was married to William Anderson, Sept. 30, 1852. Three weeks later they started west, journeying by wagon to Mahaska county, Iowa, where they lived four years, coming to Madison county in the summer of 1856 and purchased the land on which she has ever since lived. For almost three years she endured the trials and hardships of a soldier’s wife on the frontier.

To them were born seven children Elizabeth Clifton of East Peru, Melila J. Howard of Cherokee, Lucy S. Minard of Truro, Nannie S. Hagan of Osceola, Lydia S., Irwin T. and Mattie. Her husband died Dec. 4, 1875 and Jan. 26, 1895 her only son was called away, leaving a wife and two young children in the old home to comfort her in he loneliness. Two years ago the daughter-in-law returned to her father’s house to assist in caring for him, and her two youngest daughters remained with her, doing what they could to make her last years pleasant and comfortable. In early life she united with the Baptist church and in all her trials and bereavements she was patient and submissive to the Supreme Will. Her last years were spent in the quietness and seclusion of her own home where she was always glad to welcome her children and all other friends. Her trials are over and her rest will be sweet.
Weep not that her toils are over.
Weep not that her race is run.
God grant we may rest as calmly
When our work like hers is done.
Till then we would yield with gladness
Our treasure to Him to keep,
And rejoice in the sweet assurance,
He giveth His loved ones sleep.