Betsworth, Alvira Dorothy 1822-1895

BETSWORTH, DOROTHY, BETTSWORTH

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/4/2007 at 18:02:52

LeMars Sentinel
Dated March 11, 1895

DIED:

BETSWORTH-At her home in this city, Friday, March 8, Alvira Dorothy
Betsworth, wife of Capt. B. F. Betsworth, aged 72 years, 9 months, and 18
days.

Capt. Betsworth has the sympathy of many friends throughout the county in
the loss of the worthy woman who had lived at his died during the past
fifty-six years. With her husband she had endured the hardships of pioneer
life in the west and through it all lived with an earnestness of spirit and
purpose that had always made her a model wife and mother in the community.
She had always been a devout Christian woman and her life throughout was
always most blameless and during her last days she accepted her approaching
transition of soul with a spirit of resignation so sweet and unfearing that
it was closely allied to happiness.

The funeral services were held at the First Methodist Church yesterday
afternoon at 2 o'clock and the large concourse of people that gathered to
hear the religious rites over the remains was one of the best marks of
appreciation and respect towards the family that first settled upon the site
our beautiful city that could have been displayed.

The member of the Old Settler's Association had been notified and a large
number of them, not only from LeMars and vicinity, but from Hinton, James
and other distant portions of the county, made their appearance at the
ceremony and attended the funeral in a body. The funeral possession was one
of the longest ever participated in in the city, about sixty equipages
following the remains to their final resting place.

The following gentlemen assisted as pall-bearers: P. F. Dalton, Thos.
Adamson, Jas. McCartney, Chas. Adamson, G. H. Spring and J. W. Myers.
During the progress of the procession over the railroad tracks the vehicle
in which they were seated broke down.

Rev. Joel A. Smith officiated the funeral services and in the church he read
the following account of the deceased:

Alvira Dorothy, a native of Somerset County, Maryland, was born May 5, 1822.
She was united in marriage with B. F. Betsworth December 28, 1839. To this
union there were born eleven sons and four daughters, nine sons and the four
daughters still live to revere the memory of a sainted mother. Father and
Mother Betsworth removed from Maryland to Kama, Ill., county in 1856 where
they remained until 1866 when they came to Iowa and settled in what is known
as LeMars. They had the honor of living in the first house raised on the
site of LeMars-a log house, where the brick yard now is-which with the first
two frame houses erected in the city were built by Father Betsworth. One of
these is now owned by David Gibbs on Franklin street. The second house was
located where St. Joseph's Catholic church now stands.

Beginning life in Plymouth county Mother Betsworth shared with her husband
heroically the privations that are known to the pioneer of this western
land. She was truly a faithful helpmate. While her husband was breaking the
first ground in this part of the county she saw to it that her family were
well cared for in every way. She was the only instructor until after the
first school house was built, in which their eldest son taught the first
term.

To Mother Betsworth was given the honor of entertaining the first gospel
service held in LeMars in her own house. From that day until her death, the
minister of the gospel always had a welcome. It was the itinerant's home.
The all-important question was settled in the first revival meeting held in
the old church, when she gave her heart to God. From that day until her
last conversation regarding her soul, she said confidently, "It is all
right." Although compelled to be absent from our meetings this winter she
would inquire diligently regarding the Lord's work, then hearing of what was
being done for souls she would sit and weep for joy on account of the good
news.
-------------------
Alton Democrat
March 16, 1895

DEATH OF GOOD MRS. BETTSWORTH.

Ever since locating in Sioux county, we have heard the name of Bettsworth
referred to by the early settlers with affection and good will. Scarcely a
reminiscence of olden times has been published without reference to good
Captain Bettsworth and his wife, who, as residents of LeMars were ever
willing to extend assistance to the pioneers of this northwest country.
Hundreds of the citizens of Sioux county have broken bread at the table of
Mrs. Bettsworth and scarcely a settler came to Sioux county during the first
half dozen years of its early settlement, but that stopped at the Bettsworth
cabin on the Floyd and shared the frugal hospitality of this good couple. It
is therefore with feelings of sorrow that we chronicle the death of Mrs.
Bettsworth this week. At the funeral of this good woman, held at LeMars last
Sunday, the church was crowded by old settlers and the funeral sermon of
Rev. Joel A. Smith was touching and eloquent. Among other things said, was
the following which we glean from the LeMars Globe:

Alvira Dorothy, a native of Somerset county, Maryland, was born May 5, 1822.
She was united in marriage with Capt. B. F. Bettsworth in 1839. To this
union there were born fifteen children, eleven sons and four daughters.
Nine sons and four daughters still live to revere the memory of a sainted
mother. In 1856 they moved to Kane county, Illinois, where they remained
until 1866 when they moved to Iowa and settled in LeMars. Their first home
was a log house built on the banks of the Floyd, but the heart made the home
spacious for the friend or the stranger and many found a welcome shelter
under its roof. Capt. Bettsworth also built the first two frame houses
erected in LeMars.

Beginning life in Plymouth county, Mother Bettsworth shared with her husband
privations that are known to the pioneer of this western land. She was
truly a faithful helpmeet. While her husband was breaking the first ground
about their new home, she was busy in caring for the family and household
needs. She was the only instructor until after the first school house was
built, in which the eldest son taught the first term. To Mother Bettsworth
was given the honor of entertaining the first gospel service held in LeMars,
in her own house and until her death the minister of the gospel always had a
welcome.

As a Christian woman, there was an enduring tenderness in her love never
chilled by selfishness. In all her struggles to do right, she was not
daunted by danger nor stifled by opposition. She was ever ready to sacrifice
every comfort to her family’s convenience. She surrendered every personal
pleasure to the enjoyment of her friends. She said little about herself but
never failed to exalt in the prosperity of her friends and neighbors. When
misfortune or disgrace came, she was the first to extend a hand of help.
When cares of the world came to her neighbors, Mother Bettsworth was the
first to help in the solution of the problem. The light of her loving
endeavor fell upon the path of those in distress. As a mother she looked
upon home as not merely the dwelling place of parenthood, but where sober
reality and an unselfish life can ever aid and beautify the lives of others.
Her home appealed to every fiber of her soul. Her home moved every chord of
her heart. Her queenly place is vacant, but yonder may we not think of her
as sceptered as her worth would entitle her!

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