Celia J. Joseph Culver (1829-1887)

JOSEPH, CULVER, LOGAN, BALLINGER

Posted By: Anonymous volunteer
Date: 5/2/2020 at 20:26:04

Died -- Saturday, April 30, 1887, in Adams Township, Mahaska County, Iowa, Mrs. Celia, wife of Elmer R. Culver, aged 57 years, 8 months and 2 days.
Mrs. Culver, whose maiden name was Joseph, was born in Muskingam County, Ohio, January 26, 1829. Immigrated with her father's family to Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1836, where the family resided about 20 years. They then moved to Iowa in 1856, and settled in Mahaska County.
Miss Celia J. Joseph and Elmer R. Culver were married in March, 1866, the next year after Mr. C. was mustered out of the army, July 29, 1865, where he had faithfully served his country in the 9th Regiment of Iowa, - most of the time in the Army Corps of Gen. John A. Logan. During his service he lost his health by being overheated by too rapid marching between Richmond and Washington, from the effects of which he has never fairly recovered, and for which the government has bestowed upon him a small pension.
Mr. and Mrs. Culver had three children born to them - all dying in infancy, all buried together in Wymore Cemetery, Monroe Township, in a lot set apart for the Culver family in that pleasant country graveyard, where marble gravestones, appropriately lettered, mark the places where rests Grandfather and Grandmother Culver.
The family of Mrs. C. are nearly all gone. One brother, Jonathan E. Joseph, lives in Allen County, Indiana, and Thomas S. Joseph lives at Silver City, Mills County, Iowa, and was present at his sister's funeral.
Mrs. Culver was a truly good woman, industrious, kind and sympathetic. She commanded the respect of all acquainted with her. She died of that dreadful disease, consumption, that has preyed upon millions of our race, passing them over the Jordan of death "to that land from whence no traveler returns." Mrs. C. bore patiently her long and severe affliction, believing with Paul when he uttered, "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us." Mrs. C. while living in Fort Wayne many years ago, united with the Baptist Church; but since she left there and came to Iowa she has not lived convenient to a Baptist Church, but preserving her Christian integrity, adding to her faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, godliness, charity and other Christian graces, died in hope of blessed immortality. The writer attended her funeral, and, after the usual preliminary services, endeavored to comfort all present by calling attention to the mission of Christ in his embassy to this world to save mankind from sinning, to introduce a new and better order of things, to school the church to hope for immortality or an endless life, that his labors of love would not be consummated until all things in heaven and earth were subjugated and reconciled to Him. Then, and not until then, would Christ's mission be fulfilled. That such a grand result had been promised by all God's holy prophets since the foundation of the world, the angels chanted in immortal song to the shepherds on the night, clad plains of Bethlehem:"Behold, we bring you glad tidings of joy which shall be to all people."
Her remains were taken to Wymore Cemetery to sleep by her dear babes. Peace be to her ashes, and rest to her soul. (written by Thos. Ballinger, Malvern Leader, May 19, 1887, p. 4)