Mary Devine Potts 1858 - 1931

DEVINE, POTTS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 8/10/2019 at 20:36:46

Onawa Democrat
5 November 1931

Pioneer Mother Laid To Rest

Mrs. John Polls Who Came To Monona County With Her Husband In 1878 Was Buried Sunday

Funeral services were conducted at the old home near Arcola. Mr. Potts preceded her in death in 1906. Was well known throughout the county.

No Not Cold Beneath The Grasses
Not Close Walled Within The Tomb
Rather In My Father’s Mansion
Living In Another Room

Thus it is that we love to remember our pioneer mothers, not gone but just living in another room. The love for these sturdy mother’s of the pioneer day is carved deep into the souls of their loved ones who remain here to carry on not unlike any of the other mothers of that day, Mrs. John Potts suffered the hardships which accompanied the pioneers here some fifty or sixty years ago.

For over 53 years Mrs. Potts has resided in this county, here it was that she came as a bride and raised her family, the way was not always bright but the noble mother that she was, she never hesitated she carried on. For 75 years this good and kind widowed mother listened tenderly to the message of sorrow and joy brought to her by her children, yes, well might we say children because none of us ever grow up to mother.

It was her who could offer words of comfort, words of cheer and words of advice, it was always mother who was willing to sacrifice in order that we may be happy. Mrs. Polls was one of these mother’s, a quiet, loveable disposition, a thought always of others and a woman who held the love and respect of hundred in the community in which she had resided over a half century. Her children can well raise up and call her blessed, she had fulfilled her allowed time on earth and was tenderly borne to the wings of angels to that heavenly realm where suffering and heart aches are o more, just to another room, there to wait the happy reunion which God has promised.

Mary Devine, fourth child of Thomas and Katherine Devine was born in Galt, Illinois July 1858 and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Cummings in Whiting, Iowa October 30, 1931, age 73 years 3 months and 25 days.

In infancy she was baptized in the Catholic Church. She grew to womanhood near Sterling, Illinois and was united in marriage to John Potts February 18, 1877 and one year later came to Monona County where she has since resided. Her husband preceded her in death September 27, 1906 at the age of 56 years.

She leaves to mourn her departure 8 children, Thomas of Turin Clarence of Sioux City, Rowland of Onawa, Harry of Turin, Mrs. will Walters of Little Sioux, Mrs. John Cummings of Whiting, Mrs. Vern Davis of Onawa and Mrs. Walter Jarmen of Los Angeles, California, one daughter Minnie passed away at the age of 16 months.

Also surviving are three brothers, one sister and eleven grandchildren and a host of friends.

Funeral services were conducted at the home near Arcola Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. In charge of Rev. Orval E. Walker, pastor of the First Christian Church of Onawa.