Ida May (Bassett) Clearwater (1932)

BASSETT, CAREY, CARTER, CLEARWATER, HARTING, TERHUNE

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/26/2006 at 10:19:11

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, December 15, 1932

MORTUARY

Mrs. Ida May Bassett Clearwater was born in Washington, Iowa, September 5, 1859, the daughter of Henry Lymna and Lydia Martin Bassett.

In 1862 the family moved to Benton County and settled on a farm northwest of Blairstown where the family lived in a log cabin and experienced pioneer hardships. Later the family moved into Blairstown where she grew to womanhood.

She received the schooling of the local schools, and normal training under the county superintendent, Miss Blackburn. She became a teacher, first in the country districsts and later in the grade schools in her home town of Blairstown and in Manchester and Denison in which she was notably successful.

While teaching in Denison she became acquainted with Rev. John E. Clearwater with whom she was united in marriage April 8th, 1891. To this union was born one child, a son, Edgar Bassett Clearwater, who survives his mother. Her husband preceded her in death, September 18th, 1925.

Upon his retirement from active work they came to Winterset to make their home living on a farm 4 miles west of town. During this time he preached at West Star, Webster and other churches in this vicinity. In 1918 they moved into Winterset residing on East Court Avenue until her husband's death. Since then she has resided in Chicago with her son, Dr. E. B. Clearwater.

A number of years ago her health became impared preventing her active leadership in church work but her interest in these matters never waned.

About two years ago her health noticeably weakened. In October of this year her condition became such that hospital care was necessary. She was a patient in the Ravenswood hospital.

She passed away December 9th, 1932 and thus is ended a beautiful life of Christian living and unselfish service.

Besides her son Edgar, she is survived by two brothers and one sister, Rev. H. A. Bassett of El Paso, Texas; Rev. T. S. Bassett of Rolfe, and Mrs. C. A. Harting of McLaughlin, South Dakota.

She is also mourned by a large number of other relatives among whom are her sisters-in-law, Mrs. Emma Carey of Winterset, and Mrs. Jennie Terhune of Sioux City, and their families and by Mrs. Emma Carter of Decatur, Illinois and others.