Applegate, Sarah 1831-1912

APPLEGATE, RIVERS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/22/2009 at 15:46:41

Montezuma Weekly Republican; Montezuma, Iowa Jan. 25, 1912

MRS. THOS. APPLEGATE

PASSED AWAY AT HER MONTEZUMA HOME TUESDAY.

Funeral Held Wednesday and Interment Took Place in West Liberty Cemetery--The Obituary

Sarah Rivers was born in Morgan county, Indiana, near Moresville, September 25, 1831. When about fourteen years of age she came with her parents, Richard and Mary Rivers, to Iowa, locating on the farm of Jackson McKnabb, in Keokuk county, where they resided some two years then settling on their farm in Sugar Creek township, Poweshiek county.

She was married to Thomas S. Applegate, July 16, 1854. To them were born six children, two daughters and four sons. Two sons and two daughters having died in early childhood. Two sons, William and George T. and the aged companion, Thomas S. Applegate, with other relatives and many friends are left to mourn her departure. Her death occurred at her home in Montezuma, Iowa, January 23, 1912, aged 80 years, 8 months and 28 days.

In 1857 she confessed her faith in Jesus, her Savior, and was buried with him by baptism into death, to rise to walk in newness of life, by Benjamin Lockhart, uniting with the West Liberty congregation of the Church of Christ. She is the last, but one, of the charter members of that congregation.

She had passed through all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. Being the wife of one of the soldier boys of the sixties, she was acquainted with the arduous duties of a wife and mother under such trying times. She was a dutiful, loving wife, gentle and patient mother, kind and genial neighbor, ready to lend the helping hand when and where ever needed. She strove to be exemplary in all her activities and with all a consistent Christian.

A short service was held at the home January 24th, at 9:30 a.m. after which the remains were taken to the West Liberty church where the funeral services were conducted by A.J. Carrick. Interment was made in the West Liberty cemetery.