Cora M. Crossley (1898)

CROSSLEY

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 10/12/2008 at 07:54:32

Winterset Reporter – July 7, 1898
Pg 4
St. Charles

Quite a number from here attended the funeral of Cora Crossley at Patterson last Sunday. Her death was deeply mourned in this community, as she was a graduate of the schools at this place and had won a lasting place of love and esteem in the hearts of a large circle of friends and acquaintances made during her residence here. Beautiful in the purity and simplicity of her life—with a smile and a kindly word for one and all—she was an example of womanhood, the noblest and the best. We shed a tear over her grave, and shall keep green the memory of her brief life, so devoted, so self-sacrificing, and so pure.
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Winterset Madisonian – July 6, 1898
Pg 5

Obituary

Cora M., fourth child of John W. and Cynthia J. Crossley, was born January 27th, 1877, died at the family residence, three miles east of Patterson, June 30th, 1898, aged 21 years, 5 months and 3 days.

She had lived in the vicinity of Patterson all her life excepting the time spent at school and college, but whether at home or abroad the same ladylike characteristics and lofty ideals of life won her hosts of friends. All who knew her loved and admired her. Not so much for those physical graces with which nature had so bountifully supplied, but for those graces of the soul that only a pure mind and heart can acquire.

Miss Cora was a student of rare ability. Taking advantage of every opportunity by which preparation could be made for the larger responsibilities of life, she gradually ascended the rugged pathway that led on and up to her high ideals of morality and intellectuality. Though exceedingly ambitious it was of the kind void of selfishness, therefore she sought these accomplishments and acquirements of character not for selfish ends but that she might give to her family and her friends her best possible self.

Miss Cora was a graduate of the St. Charles high school graduating with honor and delivering an oration excelled by none. Here was a life of sunshine, at all times cheerful and happy, even when suffering the agonies of a diseased physical organization.

Cora was a dutiful child—obedient, kind and thoughtful—ever ambitious for home and its best interest, applying herself diligently to lighten the burdens of father and mother, whose sacrifices for her were always appreciated.

As a sister she excelled. Always ambitious for the welfare of brothers and sisters, she delighted to help them in any way possible. Through the serious illness, of J. J., her older brother, she lovingly, patiently watched over and attended to his every need, nursing him back to health, home and friends.

The marriage of Miss Evalyn, the first of the family, was to her a sublimely happy affair, and on that occasion the lovely graces of this beautiful womanhood were fully evinced. As for the younger brothers and sisters to them she seemed to live for their sake. As a friend she was unfailing, trustworthy and kind. She has sought well, she was wrought well, for seeking, finding and keeping her place at home and in society seemed to be the great ambition of her life.

While we deplore the departure of this loving daughter, sister and friend we yet trust the wisdom of His Providence who doeth all things well, and do truly believe that while we are deprived of her companionship, she has gone to join the holy company of angels and “the blessed that die in the Lord.”

After an illness of just three weeks the end came, calmly and peacefully, on June 20th, at 7:30 p.m. As the golden rays of nature’s sun faded from view upon the western horizon to shed its radiant beams of light on another hemisphere, the beautiful earth life of Cora Crossley sank upon the western slope of time to arise in the glorious morn of eternal day.

The funeral services were held in the M. E. Church at Patterson Sunday, July 3d, conducted by Rev. F. W. Ewan, of Tingley, Iowa, assisted by Rev. Dr. Ely, of Winterset. A large concourse of people gathered from far and near to pay their last respects to the devoted friend. Six of Miss Cora’s lady friends bore the precious burden to its last resting place in the beautiful cemetery north of Patterson.

Note: The same obituary also appeared in the Winterset Reporter - July 7, 1898 page 5. Burial was made in the Montpelier cemetery.

Gravestone Photo
 

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