TANNEYHILL, Anna J. (Kelly) 1864-1889

TANNEYHILL, KELLY

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 3/25/2024 at 10:15:38

With the deepest pain we are called upon to chronicle the death of Mrs. Anna J. Tanneyhill, known for years to you all as Anna Kelly. She was born in Decorah, Ia., August 19, 1864. A charming child of three years, she came with her parents to Osage in 1867.

From her early childhood she attended the public schools of our city. At an early age she entered the classical course in the Cedar Valley Seminary and graduated therefrom in a class of twelve, June, 1881. Pursuing her classical studies still further under the direction of her old teacher, prof. Call, she entered the Northwestern University at Evanston, Ill., there as at home laboring with the same earnest spirit and patience in the more advanced classes, graduating from that splendid institution in 1883.

In 1882 while yet in the course at Evanston, she received one term of instruction in the Boston School of Oratory, of which the famous Munroe had been in charge for many years, ceasing work at death only, to be succeeded by the scarcely less talented Raymond. From her earliest recollection she was intensely interested in this line of study and work. Her power of impersonating character was of a very high order. She was a natural elocutionist and teacher of the art of expression.

In 1882 the family had moved to Goshen, Ind., returning again to Osage in 1885. In the fall and winter of 1884-5 Miss Anna taught elocution in Princeton, Ill. She was employed as teacher of elocution and reading in the Cedar Valley Seminary for two years, ending her engagement only a little over a year ago. Her constant labor and severe tasks became at last too great a task upon waning energies and she was compelled to give up teaching altogether.

It is the testimony of her old friend and teacher, the Principal of the Seminary, that she always entered into her work with enthusiasm and the possession of a very happy faculty of inspiring her pupils with her example, thoroughness and intense interest. She was, in all her work as a teacher, everywhere a favorite and very greatly beloved. Such a wealth of womanly worth are rarely combined in one so young in years. Her memory will long be cherished as a memorial of her beautiful life.

In the winter of 1888 she was married to O.B. Tanneyhill, of Goshen, Ind. They have made their home in Waterloo. Hopes were high and prospects most flattering. Happiness reigned supreme and the building of a dear and enduring home seemed a shining and beautiful hope. Ten days ago a beautiful baby came from Heaven's giving.

It was the story so often told, a life for a life: the mother dies and the child lives. There was good home and good courage, but it was not to be; with only twenty-four hours warning, she passes away. The passing was in the midst of friends and words sweet and tender of going home. Her last days were as blooming flowers, bird songs and poems, sweet temper, patience and trust. "How beautiful it all is!" she would say. Ah! she saw through the thin veil and all things were beautiful.

The little baby girl was a charm to her departing soul and she asked often to see it. Conscious at all times when roused she looked upon the sad ones with tenderness that was a part of her very soul. "Like a cloud of the sunset" she smiled and went to heaven and there she lies now with the light of Jesus' greeting upon her face.

She joined the church at 12; it struck 12 when she died. A full, rounded life had been lived, always a true christian, you may say an earnest worker, a teacher in Sunday school always at her post.

The funeral obsequies took place at the M.E. church Tuesday afternoon and were attended by a large concourse of friends who deeply sympathize with the family in their great bereavement. Rev. May delivered the funeral sermon. The floral tributes wrought by loving hands were many and beautiful.
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Mr. Henry Kelly and family were summoned to Waterloo last Friday to attend the bedside of their beloved daughter, Anna. They returned on Monday bearing her remains with them. The family have the deep sympathy of all in their great affliction.
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Miss Eva Kelly has been sick in bed since her return from Waterloo Monday. The grief and shock occasioned by the death of her sister, was too much for her to bear.

~Mitchell Co. Press, Thursday, January 24, 1889