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Lida (Sturman) Danforth (1929)

BRIGGS, BROBST, DANFORTH, FOSTER, HAKE, MCNAMARA, OSBORN, STURMAN, WAMSLEY

Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 1/31/2006 at 16:45:32

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, December 26, 1929
Page 1

Death of Mrs. Lida Danforth

Mrs. Lida Danforth, a pioneer resident of Madison county, died at her home on West Green street early Tuesday morning, December 24th. Mrs. Danforth was 84 years of age, and had been in poor health for some time.

The deceased was one of few remaining pioneer settlers of Winterset, having come to this county with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Sturman, in 1848. The Sturman family settled on the farm now occupied by James McNamara, on North river, and he assisted in laying out the town of Winterset. In 1863 it is stated that he left the farm and moved here, where he engaged first in the drug business, and later in the hardware business.

Mrs. Danforth was but three years of age when the family made the trip to this county, with ox teams. She was born in Clay county, Missouri, March 19, 1845, but was raised and educated in this county. Her marriage to Mr. Challen Danforth was an event of July 24, 1872. For many years they lived in a house one-half block north of Presbyterian church. Thirty-five years ago they built the large brick house at the north end of First street. Here they resided for many years, and Mr. Danforth died here in 1915. Six years ago Mrs. Danforth sold the home, and since then has lived in smaller houses.

Mrs. Danforth was a member of the Methodist church, and took an active interest in the affairs of the community. Only recently she has been confined to her home but her mind remained clear, and she was able to enjoy her relatives and friends.

The Rev. A. P. Keast, pastor of the Methodist church, conducted the funeral services at Tidrick's funeral home, Thursday afternoon, December 26, and burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.

Mrs. Danforth is survived by her three sons, Alfred and Fred of Winterset; Jay Danforth of Tampa, Florida, and two daughters: Mrs. Beulah Foster of Denver, Colorado, and Mrs. Lucille Hake of Worland, Wyoming. She also leaves two sisters: Mrs. Sabina Briggs of Seattle, Washington, Mrs. Cecelia Brobst of Kansas, and a brother, James Sturman also of Kansas.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, January 2, 1930
Page 2

Mrs. Lida Danforth

Lida Sturman was the daughter of John B. and Margaret Wamsley Sturman, both of whom were natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married. They moved to Missouri in 1843, where they followed the occupation of farming. Here, on March 19, 1845, was born to this union a daughter whom they named Lida.

In 1848 the family moved to Madison county, Iowa, locating on a farm on North river, thus becoming one of the pioneer residents of this part of the state. About 1863 they left the farm and moved to Winterset. In this family were eight children, three of whom are still living. Mrs. Lida Danforth, the eldest; Mrs. Cecelia Osborn of Kansas, Mrs. Sabina Briggs of Seattle, Washington; Benjamin N., Miriam and Lester have preceded in death.

Mrs. Lida Sturman Danforth was but three years of age when the family made the journey to Madison county with ox teams, and in the covered wagons. In this county she was rared and educated. On the 24th of March, 1872, she was united in marriage to Challen Danforth, who preceded her in death in 1915.

To Mr. and Mrs. Danforth were born seven children: Mrs. Beulah Foster of Denver, Colorado; Harry and Fay, deceased; Fred Eugene and Alfred Don of Winterset; Mrs. Lucille Bine Hake of Worland, Wyoming, and Jay B. of Tampa, Florida.

Mrs. Danforth was a charter member of the Relief Corps, a member of the Eastern Star, and one of the oldest members of the Methodist church. She was active in the work of these organizations so long as her strength permitted. Many of her friends still tell of her activity in the church, where she found great delight, and which was the last of all outside activities to be given up. She lived in the faith of her Lord, and in that faith lived triumphantly to the end, and with great peace went to meet her Lord on December 23, 1929, at the age of 84 years, 8 months and 4 days.
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The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, January 2, 1930
Page 1, Column 3

MRS. DANFORTH PIONEER WOMAN

Resident Of County Over Eighty Years Dies December 23

Last rites were held Thursday afternoon of last week for Mrs. Lida Danforth, whose death occurred at Monday night, December 23 at 10 o’clock at her home on west Green street. The Rev. A. P. Keast, pastor of the Methodist church was in charge of the services at the Tidrick funeral home and burial was in the Winterset cemetery. She was 84 years old and had been in ill health some time though she retained her faculties until the last.

Mrs. Danforth was one of the pioneers of the county and one of its oldest residents, having lived here over eighty years. She came here when three years old with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Sturman, who settled in 1848 on what is now the James McNamara farm in Union township. The family made the long trip from Clay county, Missouri, with ox teams and were among the first settlers to take up their residence in the county.

The Sturman family was prominent in the affairs of the early days of Madison county and later moved to Winterset where Mr. Sturman had a drug store and where he practiced medicine.

Her marriage to Challen Danforth occurred July 24, 1872. They made their home many years in the house on west Green street, now owned by Mrs. Candace Ruth. More than thirty years ago the large brick house on Lane street, which for many years was one of the show places of Winterset, was built by them. The place is now leased by C. E. Spurgin.

Mrs. Danforth was a charter member of the Women’s Relief Corps, of Winterset, and in November was honored at a meeting of the corps when she and several other women received pins, given in recognition of over forty years membership. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern star and the oldest living member of the Winterset Methodist church.

Mr. Danforth, who was one of the prominent business men of Winterset, died in 1915. Of the seven children born to them five survive, Fred and Alfred Danforth, of Winterset; Mrs. Beulah Foster, Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Ray Hake, Worland, Wyoming; Jay Danforth, Tampa, Florida. Two sisters, Mrs. Sabina Briggs, of Seattle, Washington, and Mrs. Cecilia Brobst, of Kansas, and a brother, Lincoln Sturman, of Kansas, also survive.

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