Reeves, Mrs. J. L. (Mertle) 1875-1911

REEVES, SYMMS

Posted By: Plymouth CC
Date: 2/24/2004 at 19:58:27

LeMars Sentinel April 7, 1911

DEATH OF MRS. J. L. REEVES
Wife of Well Known Physician Succumbs to Pneumonia

Mrs. Reeves, wife of Dr. J.L. Reeves, succumbed to an attack of pleura-pneumonia on Tuesday after an illness of a few days.

The attack of pneumonia brought on premature confinement and she gave birth to a child on Friday, which only survived its birth two hours. Her weakened condition and the severe attack of pneumonia were too much for her recuperative powers and she rapidly grew worse and on Sunday her life was despaired of, and on Monday little hope was held out for her recovery, the disease baffling the skill of doctors and nurses, and she passed away shortly before noon on Tuesday.

Her death is a tremendous shock to her husband, relatives, and friends and they and the two motherless children have the sympathy of the community in their bereavement.

Mertle Paullina Symms was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Symms, of
Broadview, Mont., former residents of LeMars. She was born at Postville, Iowa, on March 22, 1875. In 1876 the Symms family moved to Cherokee, where she spent most of her girlhood life, receiving her education in the public schools of that place. In 1894 the Symms came to LeMars to make their home, which has been her home since. She was united in marriage with Jesse L. Reeves on September 15, 1897. Besides the bereaved husband she leaves two children, a girl and a boy, Gertrude Odessa age 11 and Art Lorenzo aged 8 years. She also leave to mourn her early death her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Symms, of Broadview, Mont., and four brothers and one sister; Charles D. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Arthur of Linton, Ind.; Hal C. of Chicago; Leo of Sioux [cannot read this word], South Dakota; Nuna Symms, of Broadview, Mont. The relatives were here to attend the funeral which was held yesterday at the First Congregational church, with the exception of Miss Symms, who was unable to come.

Mrs. Reeves was a young woman of many acquaintances and was greatly liked among a large circle of friends who feel her loss acutely.

She was a member of the Eastern Star and the members attended the funeral in a body. The mayor and other city officials attended the funeral in a body, Dr. Reeves being city health physician.