CLAY, Alma Eleanor (nee Benson) 1866-1946

CLAY, BENSON

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 11/15/2010 at 13:05:55

Alma Eleanor (nee Benson) Clay November 18, 1866 – April 22, 1946

#1:

AGED RESIDENT DIES OF OSAGE DIES
PIONEER OF MITCHELL COUNTY WAS ILL LONG

Osage – Mrs. Henry Clay, 79, pioneer of Mitchell County, died at her home Monday after a long illness.

She was born November 18, 1865, at Hesslauholm, Sweden, daughter of Christina and Haaken Benson. She came with her parents to America as a small child, settling east of Osage.

On March 28, 1889, she was married to Henry Clay and the couple lived on the Clay homestead, just inside the Floyd County line. There they resided for 24 years. In 1913, they moved to Osage where they built their home on Pleasant street, where they since resided. Mr. Clay died 4 years ago.

Surviving are 2 daughters, Marjorie, at home; Betty Woodward, at home; and Sam, Clarinda.

[ Mason City Globe Gazette, Tuesday, April 23, 1946 ]
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#2:

Mrs. Henry Clay Died
At Her Home Here
Last Monday

Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at Champion's Funeral Home for Mrs. Henry Clay, who died Monday at her home in Osage. The Reverend Wayne Christensen, pastor of the Baptist church, officiated, assisted by the Reverend Ross Hartman.

Alma Elinor Benson, daughter of Haaken and Christina Benson, was born in Hesslahome, Sweden, November 16, 1866, and died at her home Monday morning, April 22.

When about two years of age she came with her parents, two sisters, and two brothers, to America, all of whom have preceded her in death. They located on a farm in Mitchell County about 11 miles east of Osage.

On March 28, 1889, she was married to Henry W. Clay and together they made their home on the Clay homestead in Floyd County. To this union were born three children, two daughters, Betty and Marjorie, and one son, Sam. They retired from active farming and moved to Osage in October, 1913. Mr. Clay preceded her in death in 1942.

After completion of the country school, she attended a private school of music for one year at Decorah, where she studied piano and for several years taught music in her community.

She was baptized in the Baptist faith and was a member of the East Lincoln Baptist Church where she and her family attended for many years. During that time she gave freely of her talent and time to the music of the church.

After moving to Osage she attended Congregational Church and was affiliated with the ladies' organizations until failing health prevented her from taking active part in anything other than her home and family.

Her leisure hours were spent in reading, collecting many bits of poetry and prose for her scrap book. She always had a keen interest in world affairs.

Surviving are two daughters of Osage and one son of Clarinda.

Interment was in the Osage Cemetery.

[ Mitchell County Press, Osage Library Scrapbook Collection, April 1946 ]