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Ina Jane "Jennie" (Feeley) Foster (1887)

FOSTER, FEELEY

Posted By: Ida Morse
Date: 4/9/2006 at 11:53:16

Winterset Madisonian and Chronicle
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 14, 1887
Page 4

In Memoriam

The following we take from the Plattsmouth, Neb., Daily Journal of the 2d inst:

Died-At her late home on Main street between Sixth and Seventh, at 5:12 o’clock last evening, after an illness of four days with peritonitis, Jennie, wife of D. F. Foster, daughter of Thos. Feeley, of Winterset, Iowa, aged 32 years and 13 days.

Mrs. Jennie Foster, whose sudden demise has cast a gloom over the entire community and filled so many hearts, will anguish and sorrow, was born in Allamakee county, Iowa March 18, 1855. As she grew to womanhood she chose for her life work the medical profession, to which she gave five years of faithful preparation, graduating with high honors at the Keokuk Medical college in February, 1882, and receiving three diplomas-one from the college proper and the other two in a special course of private instruction in chemistry and Materis Medica from the following professors: H. T. Cleaver, A. M Carpenter, J. J. M. Anglar, J. C. Hughes, John North and Richard M. Morse.

She came to Plattsmouth five years ago this spring. Wedded to her profession, with a high and noble purpose and an ambition worthy of her calling, she deemed no hardships too great to endure, found no obstacles or opposition that she could not surmount; but with a heroic self sacrifice and devotion, she labored unceasingly till the summons came from the Great Physician calling her to a higher life. She has gone to the land of sunshine and flowers of eternal bloom-into that sweet rest which her wearied mind and body so often craved. In that supreme moment when all things earthly were fading, she asked of her mother. “Will there be flowers in Heaven?” When her lily was brought and she gave it a last lingering look, answering her own question with a smile of assent that told too plainly to the anxious ones at her bedside that the flowers of eternal bloom had already burst upon the raptured vision, and that the rythem of her soul was:

“Fade, fade, each earthly joy-
Heaven is mine.”

As a physician and friend, wife and mother, she leaves a vacancy that can never be filled. Her inner life was known only to those who knew and loved her best. When told by her physician that her life hung upon a slender thread, that her case was almost hopeless, she met the inevitable like a true heroine, as she was. Watching her own case, seemingly, she remarked that “the change was coming fast but the way was clear,” Still further on she so triumphed as to call it “a bright and shining way.” Thus closed the labors of one of whom may well be said, “Though she wrought not many years, she wrought most nobly for earth’s suffering ones. Rich is her reward.”

Her remains were followed to the early morning train by sorrowing sympathizing friends. Offerings of the beautiful flowers she loved so well decorated the casket. She will be laid to rest at the home of her girlhood at Winterset, Iowa.
“Rest weary one, rest.”
________________________

The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, April 13, 1887
Page 4, Column 3

Obituary

At a regular meeting of the Madison county Medical Association, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Whereas we have learned with deep sorrow of the death of Dr. Jennie foster, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Feely of our county, and a student of Dr. S. B. Cherry, one of the Charter members of our association, and a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk, Iowa, and whose devotion to the profession is worthy of our highest emulation; and,

Whereas we recognize the fact woman is in her legitimate sphere when engaged in the practice of medicine; therefore,

Resolved, that this society extend their deepest heartfelt sympathies to the stricken family in their bereavement, and may they remember;

I here issue death, the stars go down
To rise upon some fairer shore;
And bright in Heaven’s jeweled crown,
They shine for evermore.

And may they with us take comfort from the fact that her work was crowned “with the milk white flowers of a stainless life.”

Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of this association, and that our county papers be requested to publish the same, and that a copy be forwarded to the Iowa State Medical Reporter, and one to the bereaved and stricken family.

Dr. Wm. L Leonard
Dr. J. V. Nelson
Dr. H. E. W. Barnes, Committee on Resolution

Mrs. Foster died in consequence of an injury received while attempting to prevent her buggy from upsetting, which resulted in inflammation of stomach and bowels, while in the practice of medicine at Plattsmouth, Neb. and her remains were brought here for interment last week. Many friends in this county will hear sorrow of her untimely end.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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