Mary C. Moore (1843-1923)

MOORE

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/8/2008 at 00:26:14

Mary Catharine Campbell Moore
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It was a transition from a bed of suffering to triumph that Mrs. Mary Catharine Moore made when summoned Wednesday, July 18, to lay down life’s burdens and enter upon her reward. In this instance we should not speak of a present life and a future life; we should think of one unending life and of death of merely an incident in that endless career. What some might thoughtlessly call the end, according to God’s promises is only the beginning. The departed has therefore only put aside the throbbing dust to put on the diadem of deathless glory.
Mary Catharine Campbell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. (Eliza Jean Bard) Stuart mark Campbell, was born in Scott County, Iowa, July 15, 1843, and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. C. F. Baumiester, in Avoca, Iowa July 18, 1923, having lived all these years in our commonwealth. She was a woman in whom was bred and developed the best of our ancestors and forbears. She was a staunch defender of our public schools, of good literature, of the church of the living Christ, of the home as the most sacred place on earth.
She was married to John P. Moore at LeClaire, Iowa. To this union Fred H. Moore, of Belleville, Kansas; Mrs. Lewis Sheffield and Mrs. R. E. L. Jewett, both of San Francisco, California; and Mrs. C. F. Baumeister of Avoca, Iowa. These children, her husband having preceded her across the River of Death some years ago, with six grand children and one great grandchild, while heaven has been enriched, feel poorer because of her departure. Her loss is however, not only a bereavement to her children and children’s children, but a public loss to our community and commonwealth as well.
After her husband’s death, Mrs. Moor was for a time an instructor in the Boy’s Reformatory at Pontiac, Illinois. About twenty years ago she came to western Iowa, where she has resided ever since. The greater part of these years she spent as a teacher in our public schools. Her’s was an unusual gift to impart knowledge and wisdom to those who were entrusted to her as pupils and scholars. Even the least talented and the dullest who attended her classes went away girded with wisdom and enlightened with the truth; and there are many who rise up and call her “Blessed,” for that which she wrought in their lives.
Deceased was a graduate of the Marie Mark’s Episcopal Seminary at Le Claire, Iowa, and attended the Davenport High School. At the time of her death she was member of the Council Bluffs Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; a member of the Caledonian Society at Cedar Falls, Iowa, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star of Avoca. Mrs. Moore organized the Avoca W. C.T. U. and was voted an honorary member.
Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church on Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. R. R. Mosr, pastor of the Methodist Church at Adel, Iowa, whose text was “She Loved Much”. The Avoca Chapter of the O.E.S. conducted the burial services of the order. Beautiful flowers were in profusion. A male quartette composed of Messers A.C. Mitzen, H. C. Vierck, DR. W. A. Maxwell and Arthur Schmidt, with Mrs. Ferguson at the piano, sang “Nearer My God To Thee.” And “Abide With Me.” The pall bearers were Messrs G.W. Preston, Henry Bornholdt, O.A. Grulke, Harold Grauel, Herman Dittmer and C. Brown. Interment was in Fairview cemetery at Le Claire, Iowa, on the spot of ground provided by her father as a family burying ground.
Mrs. Moore joined the United Presbyterian Church when she was a child and remained a member of the same until she came to western Iowa. At that time, not finding the church of her faith she identified herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church of which she remained a most faithful and consistent member to the day of her death. She was not a stranger to physical suffering, having been called at different times to pass under the Sheppard’s Rod. The last year of her life she was an invalid most of the time, but in spite of all physical pain she was full of good cheer and optimism to the end. She lived a full and long and useful life. As a wife, mother, teacher, friend and well wisher to all mankind, she measured up to the highest standards of Christian womanhood. Unselfishly she gave of her services and means for the betterment of humanity. She leaves the world richer and better because she lived. May she sleep in peace.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald