FONDA, Julia A. (Sheldon) (1834-1911)

FONDA, SHELDON, STACY, BISHOP

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 2/7/2012 at 13:14:20

The Osage News
Thursday February 23, 1911

Mrs. Wm. H. Fonda
Born April 24, 1834
Died February 16, 1911

Julia A. Sheldon was born in Westport, Essex Co., N. Y., April 24, 1834, and died at Osage, Iowa, February 16, 1911.

She was one of a family of eight children three of whom survive her. Here in the Westport home she grew to young womanhood entering upon her chosen work of teaching at the age of sixteen years.

In 1858, she came west and for two years continued her work in the schools of Monona, Iowa. Here she became acquainted with Mr. William H. Fonda, and January 10, 1861, they were united in marriage at her home in Westport, N. Y. Together they took up life’s work in the Iowa home, remaining in Monona until 1865, when they removed to Stacyville, Iowa.

On a farm three miles east of Stacyville they reared their family. In 1893, they removed to Osage, where they built a pleasant home and spent their declining years now quietly enjoying the well earned fruit of their labors.

Mrs. Fonda was the mother of seven children, Burton and Amy dying in early life and her youngest daughter, Florence at the close of her college course in 1900.

Mrs. Fonda was a woman of superior intellectual gifts, a great lover of books and nature, interested in all the problems for the day; her mind always freshly informed to the last. In her quiet, unostentatious way she lived a beautiful life of rare devotion to her Master, sweetly submissive to His will, as again and again she was called to pass through the dark valley with her dear ones, returning to cheerfully assume life’s duties and live for those who were living.

Mrs. Fonda will be missed from the church services and the Sunday School, being present not many weeks ago. She was also a member of the Woman’s Missionary Society, although her voice was seldom heard, her generous gifts in memory of her daughter, Florence, who had consecrated her life to Foreign Missions, spoke more eloquently than mere words, of her interest in the salvation of the world.

Although her family realized for a number of years that it was a frail casket that held their treasure, she had so often rallied it was hard to believe that the end was near. During the last days of feebleness she was tenderly cared for by her children, all of them were able to minister to her wants, January 10,though very frail she was able to enjoy for a few hours the presence in the home of all her children and grandchildren who had gathered to help celebrate the fifty years of happy wedded life. As the others returned to their various homes, Mrs. Frank Fonda remained to keep up the home life and assist
In caring so beautifully for the mother during the last weeks of her life.

For her it was a great gain, without pain, or long illness to pass into the presence of her Lord forever.

For those who remain she leaves such a legacy as only a Christian wife and mother can. “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her.”

The last rites of affection were held Saturday afternoon, February 18th at her late residence on Chase St.,her pastor, Rev. H. O. Allen of the Congregational church (of which she had been a member for 50 years) officiating. The flowers she loved so well in life, and that responded so gladly to her care, were in great profusion and seemed to bring a silent message of comfort. Her children were all present. Mrs. Bishop and Mrs. Frank Fonda returning from Chicago, Saturday morning.

Mrs Fonda leaves the husband of her youth with whom she had walked so happily for just 50 years, and four children, Mrs. A. I . Stacy, and Mrs. R. S. Fonda of Osage, and Mrs. Charles Bishop and Mr. Frank Fonda of Chicago.

But three of the home circle awaited her coming.