Lincoln, Mary Philip Coutts 1862-1957

COUTTS, ANDERSON, SOUTER, LINCOLN, JONES, BEATTIE, LEE, GREENSPON, GEORGE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/15/2010 at 14:00:17

The Grinnell Herald-Register (Grinnell, Iowa) April 4, 1957

MARY COUTTS LINCOLN

Mary Philip Coutts, youngest daughter of Adam and Helen Anderson Coutts, was born at Cold Home near Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on June 12, 1862. At the age of twelve she came with her parents and two brothers to Iowa. The first home was near Ewart where an older daughter of the family, Mrs. John Souter, was then living. But life in the new country was not the joyful experience to which the family had looked forward. Within three months the father, Adam Coutts, the daughter, Mrs. Souter, and her infant daughter had all passed away. But those who were left met these misfortunes courageously. Two older sons and another daughter who had preceded the family to America helped the mother and younger children establish a new home in Ewart. Early in life all the children learned the meaning of hardship, but they all worked together and managed to get along.

In her youth, Mary Coutts worked for some years in Grinnell. Here she met Edward Lincoln. They were united in marriage at Ewart on Dec. 28, 1893. They lived for short periods in Ewart and Grinnell but in 1896, moved to their farm home in the Oak Grove community. In 1908 they moved again to a farm in the Westfield community where they remained until they retired from farming in 1930 and moved to an acreage at the east edge of Grinnell.

To this union were born five children: Robert C. who, with his wife Ruth and daughter Miriam, lives on the family farm in the Westfield community; James Edward, who passed away in 1919; Nellie, with whom Mary Lincoln made her home; Addie (Mrs. Bruce Jones) of near Fairfield; and Hazel, who teaches in Berea College, Kentucky.

Edward Lincoln passed away in 1945.

From earliest childhood, Mary Lincoln was deeply religious. For many years she had been a faithful member of the Methodist church of Grinnell, and she attended services until declining health prevented. She was devoted to her home, her family, and her church. She was a great lover of flowers and she especially enjoyed carrying them to those who were sick. She also spent countless hours reading to the sick in the hospital. She was always interested in helping the underprivileged. She expressed this interest by supporting a native Methodist missionary in India for many years, and by contributing to several colored schools in the South.

Three years ago she had a severe fall and was never again quite well. She has been tenderly cared for in the home until Feb. 23 when again she fell and broke her hip. She was confined to the St. Francis hospital until her release came Thursday noon, March 28. She entered into her eternal rest at the age of 94 years, 9 months, and 16 days.

She was preceded in death by her husband and son, her parents, five brothers: John in Scotland, Alexander in Glendale, Calif.; Robert G. in Grinnell, William P. in Kellogg, and James M. in Newaygo, Mich.; three sisters: Mrs. Elizabeth Beattie in Scotland, Mrs. Anne Souter in Ewart, and Mrs. Margaret Lee in Delco, Idaho. She is survived by her four children; five grandchildren: Roberta Greenspon of Roslyn, N.Y.; James Lincoln of Glen Mills, Pa.; Robert and David Jones of Fairfield, and Miriam Lincoln of Grinnell; three great grandchildren: Joanna and Jeff Greenspon and Elizabeth Lincoln; also by 17 nephews and nieces, including Ross V. Coutts and Mrs. Helen George of Grinnell, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorial services were held Saturday, March 30, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, in charge of the Rev. John DeLong of the Grinnell Methodist church and the Rev. Charles O. Whitely of the First Friends church of Grinnell. Music was furnished by Mrs. Dolph Miller and Mrs. Rhee Auman. Pallbearers were Ross V. Coutts, Harvey Howell, Warren Lincoln, James Peak, Croft Pilgrim, and George Selle. Flower bearers were Blanche Howell, Katharine McDowell, and Alyce Pearce. Interment was in the family lot at the Westfield cemetery.

The following from out of town were in attendance: The Bruce Jones family, Albert Jones, Everett Coffin, Sarabelle Sams, Mildred and Herschel Mendenhall, all of Fairfield; Alice Davis and Mrs. Fred Johnson of Searsboro; Mrs. Delmar Latham of LeGrand; Mrs. and Mrs. Ray Hutchison of Kellogg; Alyce Pearce and Mrs. Clarence Bell of Malcom; and Ray Coutts of Chicago.