Ruth Bennett (Johnson) McClelland (1916)

JOHNSON, MCCLELLAND

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 1/21/2011 at 13:54:41

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, February 9, 1916
Page 2

Peru

RUTH McCLELAND

Ruth, the patient and loving wife of John McCleland, after four weeks of suffering, heard the welcome call “come home” Thursday at 7 o'clock. The darkened eyes, which had not looked on the beauties of her earthly home, nor the faces of her best loved friends, were opened on all the beauties of Heaven, “Face to face with Jesus.” She left a beautiful testimony of the wonderful power of the keeping grace of Jesus in her quiet, patient life, but she said there must be no eulogies.

She dictated her obituary, giving dates of birth, marriage, etc., and asked that her funeral be held at the home conducted by Cyrus Mease, a friend of the family, by reading the 55th chapter of Isaiah and prayer, and the 23d psalm be sung, all of which was faithfully carried out. The body was then taken to the Peru cemetery and laid away to await the resurrection of the just.
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Note: Transcribed as published, surname per gravestone is "McClelland".
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The East Peru Mail
East Peru, Iowa
Friday, February 4, 1916
Page 8, Column 1

DEATH OF MRS. McCLELLAND

Again has the silent messenger entered our midst. This time the grim reaper has taken the beloved wife of our townsman, John McClelland, who passed out of this life at about seven o’clock Thursday evening. Mrs. McClelland had been ill over a month and bore her illness with a sweet, patient fortitude but the bereaved husband is left to tread the remainder of life’s journey alone, and he who has so tenderly cared for her during the years they have traveled together, and especially so since she was so sorely afflicted in the loss of her eyesight, will miss her more than tongue can tell.

The heartfelt sympathy of the entire community goes out to him, and may the Great God they both so devoutly followed be especially near to him in this the darkest hour of his life.
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The East Peru Mail
East Peru, Iowa
Friday, February 11, 1916
Page 8, Column 3

THE DEATH OF MRS. JOHN McCLELLAND

Madison county loses another pioneer in the death of Mrs. McClelland, and Peru loses one of its purest, sweetest lives that ever was permitted to pass in and out among us. Always of a gentle disposition when suffering the most intense, came and she lost the use of both eyes. Instead of repining she seemed to grow sweeter spirited, and to be drawn into so close a fellowship with the Divine Master that a serene joy radiated over her face. To look upon Mrs. McClelland’s face was a benediction and an inspiration to better living.

Short services were held at the house as she requested. Cyrus Mease read the 55th Chapter of Isaiah, and offered prayer, and the 23d Psalm be sung. The body was laid to rest in the Peru cemetery.

Ruth Bennett Johnson was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, June 24th, 1849, removed with her parents to Illinois in 1857 and to Madison County, Iowa, in 1858, where she has since resided, with the exception of three years spent in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

She was born again May 29th, 1869, and united with the United Presbyterian church at the Reager school house under the pastorate of Rev. C. T. McCaughn.

She was married to John McClelland Nov. 11th, 1875. Her request to a friend was “Pray that it will be light in the evening tide.” She died Feb. 3, 1916 at 6:30 p. m.

Link to Gravestone Photo
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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