GRAY, Jane (Nixon) 1822-1909

GRAY, NIXON, HASTINGS, RAMSDELL, SCHMEDES

Posted By: Marilyn O'Connor (email)
Date: 3/5/2012 at 10:11:16

GRAY

Jane Nixon was born March 7, 1822, in McGeestow, Penn., and died in Osage, Iowa, February 20, 1909. Thus, one by one the old settlers are passing away.

When but a child she removed with her parents to St. Joseph Co., Mich.,then a new country, where on January 1, 1845, she was married to Harlow Gray, who died October 13, 1884. She was the mother of two children, Mary Eleanor, who died in infancy, and Albert H. Gray who died in 1899. In 1853, the family joined the tide of emigration and came to Iowa, settling at Spring Grove, where she experienced all the privations and hardships of pioneer life and where she saw the country grow from one of wilderness to its present state.

In 1892, she removed from her farm at Spring Grove to Osage, where she has resided to the time of her death. About seven years ago she lost her sight, which was a great privation for her as she was a great reader. She has been a most esteemed member of the Congregational church for many years.

She leaves one brother, F. M. Nixon, of this city, three sisters, Mrs. S. W. Hastings, of Osgae, Mrs. Mary Ramsdell of Flandreau, S. D., Mrs. Schnmedes of California, and one grandson, E. H. Gray of Orchard, besides hosts of friends to mourn her loss.

Thus closes a long life of mingled sunshine and shadow. Her funeral was held Tuesday, February 23rd, the services were in charge of her pastor, the Rev. H. O. Allen. Her remains were laid to rest besided her loved one in our beautiful cemetery.