Gunsolly, Mary Elizabeth Allison 1849- 1920

GUNSOLLY, ALLISON, CHRISMAN, PARKER, ROSS, BROWN, DAVIS, SMITH, OLSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/28/2007 at 02:24:54

The Weekly Democrat
11 March 1920
Mrs. Thos Gunsolly

Mary Elizabeth Allison Gunsolly was born Nov. 20th, 1849 at Knoxville, Illinois and died at her home in Smithland, March 6, 1920 aged 71 years, 3 months and 17 days. All was done for her that the skill of physicians, love of dear ones and tender ministry of nurse could devise, but all in vain. Her earthly work was done, and she received the summons, “Come Higher” and she has entered into the fuller life of the skies. She will be greatly missed not only by her loved ones but by the church and the entire community, but our loss is her gain.

She was married to Mr. Thomas Gunsolly June the 6th, 1869. This union was a long and very happy one. Mrs. Gunsolly was a true mother and her home was her castle. It was in the sacred circle of her family that she was the happiest, and it was there that she was most loved and cherished.

The life of our dear sister needs no commendations, an ideal mother bearing the burdens incident to parenthood, without a murmur: ever complaining—always thinking of her family and their needs, a charitable neighbor putting the best possible construction on the conduct of all, ever ready to excuse fault and forgive injury: possessed of a remarkable mind, forgetting none; interested in the religious work of the community: devoted to Christ, clear in faith, cheerful and uncomplaining until the last. She was a member of the Methodist church in Smithland and was always willing to do what she could for her Master.

To this union were given thirteen children, three of whom preceded their mother over the great divide. The ten who survive are as follow: Mrs. Clarence Chrisman, Smithland: Mrs. Tom Parker, Westfield, Ia., Mrs. Walter Ross, Whiting, Ia: Will Gunsolly, Decatur, Nebr: Mrs. Will Brown, Mrs. Marian Davis, Harry Smith, Mrs. Newell Olson: Joe and Sam, all of Onawa, Iowa.
What a joy these her dear ones must have been to her in those sacred hours, when earth faded and heaven drew near. She leaves a loving husband and the rest of the way will be lonely but what a legacy she has left to her family—the memory of a devoted wife, a tender loving mother, a never failing friend, a staunch supporter of the church, and a humble, faithful follower of Jesus. Thirty seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren together with a large number of friends mourn her departure.

May our Heavely Father bind up the wounded hearts of her loved ones and may we all so live that at the end of life’s little day we may meet our loved, but lost awhile in the house not made by hands.

Funeral services were conducted from the Onawa Christian church on Tuesday afternoon at one o’clock, in charge of the pastor, Rev. C.S. Kleckner and the body was laid to rest in the Onawa Cemetery.