JONAS, Metha (Helfritz) 1857-1895

HELFRITZ, JONAS

Posted By: Connie Van Gorp (email)
Date: 11/18/2011 at 22:49:11

Death of Mrs. Dr. Jonas - Undergoes a Surgical Operation and Does Not Recover.

The news was received in this city yesterday of the death on Monday of Dr. Metha Helfritz Jonas at Johns Hopkins hospital, Baltimore to which place she had gone, accompanied by her husband, about ten days ago, for surgical attention. An operation was performed from which she did not survive.

The deceased came to this city six years ago as the bride of Dr. A.F. Jonas, shortly after her graduation from the Chicago Woman's Medical college. Previous to that, she had been twelve years a teacher, and had completed the literary course of the Iowa State university.

Since coming to Omaha Dr. Jonas chose to assist her husband in her professional vocation, rather than engaging in the more active work of a regular practitioner, although there was no professional service from which she hesitated, and in which she did not meet with success. But, as her husband's trusted assistant, and as an adviser to those of her own sex, she found her most congenial life.

Dr. Jonas was regarded as quite clever in social and literary circles. The keen interest, accompanied by her professional skill, which she took in benevolent enterprises, always made hers a welcome presence among the suffering poor. Thoroughly domestic in tastes, their home at Thirty-first and Dodge streets was noted for hospitality.

For many months this estimable lady has been suffering from ill-health, a fact which she very carefully concealed from her most intimate friends, while she struggled bravely on. At last, however, it became apparent to herself and her husband that heroic treatment must be resorted to in order to save her life, if even then. When preparations were made to go east, she cheerfully informed her friends that it was for pleasure, and insisted that her husband do the same. It was only to a few professional friends, therefore, that he entrusted the purpose of their mission. The death of Dr. Jonas was thus a great surprise.

The remains will be interred at St. Ansgar, Iowa, her old home.

[ Omaha World Herald, 10/30/1895 ]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Buried in St. Ansgar city Cemetery:

JONAS, METHA, DR. (HELFRITZ) 23 JAN 1857 - 28 NOV 1895

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES:

A discrepancy:

Metha Helfritz Jonas has a huge stone in the St. Ansgar City Cemetery. The date on it is November 28 but the article above, from the Omaha World Herald is dated 10/30/1895 and the reference to Monday would be October 28.

(CvG)