Nancy Jane (Gilman) Payne Neff (1935)

GILMAN, NEFF, PAYNE

Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 12/9/2007 at 13:05:35

Earlham Library Collection
Earlham, Iowa
June 1935

OBITUARY

Nancy Jane, daughter of John and Katie Gilman entered this life March 29, 1846 in Lake county, Indiana.

She came to Iowa with her parents in 1851, locating in Adams township, Dallas county. Here she received such school advantages as were afforded the children of pioneers, thus fitting herself for a long life of usefulness.

October 23, 1861 she was united in marriage with Tilman Payne at Platsmouth, Nebraska. The year following was happily spent on the Payne homestead near her girlhood home, but soon the rumors of war came and on the first anniversary of their marriage October 23, 1862 the husband answered the call of his country and marched out as a volunteer.

Two months later, on Christmas eve, by the flickering light of a campfire, in the sunny south, the soldier-husband read that a son had been born to him and his girl wife, December 18, 1862. They named him Edward Howard.

June 3rd, 1867, she was united in marriage with Isaac D. Neff, at Adel, Iowa. For 46 years she was a faithful, loving companion looking well to the care of the home, always giving the greatest measure of love and devotion to her children. In that home, the inner circle – she loved her own well, and unto the end. During her life, sorrow, too, has been her portion – little twin daughters, born in 1877 – the one Vina, passed away at the age of four months, the other Verna passed away at 19 months of age. Neil, in young manhood, with life rich in promise, died August 6th, 1911. June, the youngest member of this family circle, answered the call to the future life, in November of 1918.

Her passing in the watches of the early morning, June 1st, leaves these children, Howard of Stuart, Carrie of Aurora, Illinois, Frank of Des Moines, Cora, John and Roy of Earlham, and Jake and Byron of Le Roy, New York. She also leaves five daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, 39 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren; one brother Charles Gilman, of Moline, Kansas, the only survivor of a family of eight brothers and sisters, and a host who claim her as a dearly loved friend. We shall miss her smiling face and cheerful presence, but we are comforted in the thought of the blessed release from suffering and the appreciation of a life well spent.
________________________

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, June 6, 1935

MRS. NANCY NEFF DIED SATURDAY

Resident of Community for Many Years Buried in Penn Center Cemetery Sunday.

Mrs. Nancy Neff died early Saturday morning after an illness of several weeks. Mrs. Neff has been a resident of this community for many years. Last March she observed her 89th birthday.

Funeral services in charge of Rev. Feay were held in the Earlham Church of Christ Sunday afternoon. Interment was made in the Penn Center cemetery.

Pall bearers were Truman Payne, Neff Lehman, Hugh Neff, Byron Jones, John Henkle and Elwood Winn.

Nancy Jane, daughter of John and Katie Gilman entered this life March 29, 1846 in Lake county, Indiana.

She came to Iowa with her parents in 1851, locating in Adams township, Dallas county. Here she received such school advantages as were afforded the children of pioneers, thus fitting herself for a long life of usefulness.

October 23, 1861 she was united in marriage with Tilman Payne at Platsmouth, Nebraska. The year following was happily spent on the Payne homestead near her girlhood home, but soon the rumors of war came and on the first anniversary of their marriage October 23, 1862 the husband answered the call of his country and marched out as a volunteer.

Two months later, on Christmas eve, by the flickering light of a campfire, in the sunny south, the soldier-husband read that a son had been born to him and his wife, December 18, 1862. They name him Edward Howard.

Mr. Payne received an honorable discharge at the close of the war and came home to live but three weeks, passing away in August 1865.

As a young girl, Nancy Jane Gilman became a follower of Christ and her life has been given in loving devotion to her Master. Her first memories of a church home go back to the days of worshipping in the Payne school house, later she worked with the Penn Center organization, transferring her membership to Early Chapel when that group established a church home. She terminated her years of service in the Church of Christ at Earlham, of which she had been a faithful member and loyal supporter since its organization.

June 3rd, 1867, she was united in marriage with Isaac D. Neff, at Adel, Iowa. For 46 years she was a faithful, loving companion looking well to the care of the home, always giving the greatest measure of love and devotion to her children. In that home, the inner circle—she loved her own well, and unto the end. During her life, sorrow, too, has been her portion—little twin daughters, born in 1877—the one Vina, passed away at the age of four months, the other Verna passed away at 19 months of age. Neil, in young manhood, with life rich in promise, died August 6th, 1911. June, the youngest member of this family circle, answered the call to the future life, in November of 1918.

On December 22, 1913, the husband departed this life. At this time Mrs. Neff removed to Earlham, where she has resided the past 21 years, finding joy in the thought of service to the church, and others. Her hands have been busy, constantly, and her thought has been filled with concern for those whom she felt had claims upon her, whether relatives, friends, neighbors or the stranger within the gates.

Her passing in the watches of the early morning, June 1st, leaves these children, Howard of Stuart, Carrie of Aurora, Illinois, Frank of Des Moines, Cora, John and Roy of Earlham, and Jake and Byron of LeRoy, New York. She also leaves five daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, 39 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren; one brother Charles Gilman, of Moline, Kansas, the only survivor of a family of eight brothers and sisters, and a host who claim her as a dearly loved friend. We shall miss her smiling face and cheerful presence, but we are comforted in the thought of the blessed release from suffering and the appreciation of a life well spent.

Gravesite
 

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