Eyres, Mary 1837-1925

EYRES, WALSH

Posted By: Viv Reeves, Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/9/2007 at 15:22:46

From the LeMars Sentinel, LeMars, (Plymouth), Iowa, Friday, August 14, 1925, Page 1, Column 7:

DEATH TAKES AGED WOMAN
Mrs. Mary Eyres Succumbs to Heart Trouble and Other Infirmities
RESIDENT FORTY YEARS
With Her Husband Was Early Settler in Union

Mrs. Mary Eyres, a resident of Plymouth county for more than forty years, died at her home, 909 First avenue SE, Tuesday morning, after a brief illness. Death was due to heart trouble and infirmities of age, from which she had suffered for some time. She was 88 years of age.

Mary Walsh was born in Durham county, Ontario, Canada, November 15, 1837, and was the oldest of nine children and the last one of her brothers and sisters to hear the final summons. She grew up and was educated in her native place and January 31, 1856 was united in marriage with Isaac Eyres. They made their home in Durham county until 1873, when they moved to Lambton county, where they farmed for several years.
Early Settler in Union

Mr. and Mrs. Eyres came to Plymouth county in March, 1881, and bought land in Union township, where they farmed successfully for many years. Mr. Eyres was accidentally killed in a fall from a windmill tower December 7, 1894. His wife continued to reside on the farm with her children until 1901, when she took up her residence in LeMars. For the past two years she made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Begg, where she passed away Tuesday, August 11, at the ripe age of 87 years and 9 months.

Mr. and Mrs. Eyres were the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, all living except one, Mrs. Margaret Pearson, who died in January, 1905.

The children all reside in LeMars and are William, Zach, Thomas, Wesley, Richard, Charles and Ernest, Mrs. Wm. Begg, Mrs. Albert Stokes and Miss Ethel Eyres. There are thirty-three grandchildren. Three grandchildren preceded her in death.

She was a devoted wife and Presbyterian church [member], being affiliated with the church in Union and later with the First Presbyterian church in LeMars.

Mrs. Eyres was a devoted wife and mother and spent a long and useful life in doing good, being a loyal neighbor and staunch friend. She was one of the band of noble women who so materially assisted their husbands in settling up a new country and were a lasting influence for good in a growing community. Mrs. Eyres enjoyed the esteem of all those who knew her and her friendships were firm and life long.

The funeral was held Thursday, August 13, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian church, Rev. J. A. Hills, the pastor, and Rev. W. E. Smith, of the Union township church, having charge of the services. The interment was made in the Union township cemetery, where her husband and other members of the family are buried.