Mary Jane Vincent 1843 - 1925

VINCENT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/17/2014 at 01:54:14

Onawa Democrat
9 April 1925

MRS. M. VINCENT PASSES AWAY

FUNERAL OF PIONEER MOTHER HELD HERE SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Was Laid to Rest in Onawa Cemetery-—Passed Away on March 31st, 1925 at the Home of her Daughter, Mrs. Mitchell at Maquoketa.

In the death of Mrs. Mary Jane Vincent, of this City which occurred on March 31st at the home of her daughter Mrs. Mitchell at Maquoketa, Iowa many instances of early history of this and surrounding vicinity are recalled.

Mrs. Vincent was the wife of the pioneer railroad builder and civil engineer Mitchell Vincent, who preceded her in death several years ago. In 1865 Mr. Vincent came to this country and was the builder of a number of railroads, namely the Onawa branch of the Illinois Central the Great Western into Fort Dodge. He was also the construction engineer on the old Sioux City & Pacific and the Fremont Elkhorn from Sioux City to Missouri Valley. He laid out and built the line from Sioux City to Norfolk, Nebr. and in later years and his last construction work with the Northwestern branch from Mondamin to Wall Lake.

Mr. Vincent was in this vicinity three years before his wife joined him. It was in the year 1868 that he sent for her and she and children arrived at Mo Valley and in a box car they journeyed to Blencoe as far as the railroad was laid at that time. Mrs. Vincent often recalled that eventful night a large hay fire which was sweeping the bottoms to the east was raging and to the west heavy storm clouds were advancing and the stories of the Indians, which were afloat at that time much alarmed this little mother from the east, but she braved it out and became one of the sturdy pioneer's of this part of Iowa.

Mary Jane Vincent was born May 1st 1843 at Tionesta, Penn and died on March 31st, 1925 at the age of 81 years, 11 months and 20 days.

She was married to Mitchell Vincent on June 2, 1862 and carne to Onawa in 1868.

To this union 9 children were born 8 of whom survive this pioneer mother, five girls and three boys. Mrs. H. W. Clarke, Troy, New York; Mrs. B. H. Freeland, Onawa,Iowa; Mrs. Chas Southard, Boston, Mass; Mrs. H. S. Mitchell, Maquoketa Iowa; Mrs. H. W. Woodman, Pittsburg, Kansas.; Edwin D. Vincent, Los Angeles Cal.; John H. Vincent, Pittsburg, Kansas and Thayer Vincent of Salix, Iowa.

The funeral services were conducted from the family home here on Sunday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev Dr. McBurney of the Methodist church officiating. Burial was made in the Onawa cemetery.