Gruwell, Rhoda A. 1844-1909

GRUWELL, PENROSE, JOHNSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/13/2010 at 10:52:57

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; April 2, 1909

MRS. RHODA A. PENROSE GRUWELL

Rhoda A., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Penrose, was born in Ohio, February 28, 1844, and inherited many of the best qualities of the Friends, gentle, amiable and eminently like the "the young Ruler" in the Gospel. We are sure the Master loved her as He loved Him, and more warmly, for she loved to follow His leadership. She joined Mr. Charles B. Gruwell in marriage at Salem, Ohio, June 24, 1873, came to Oskaloosa at once and to Grinnell the next year, where, as everywhere she resided, her friends were limited only by the number of her acquaintances. She became a member of the Congregational church here, sympathized with all its enterprises and was specially interested in Mrs. Magoun's large Bible class and frequently led it. She was here during the cyclone of 1882, and ever after that the 91st Psalm was her favorite, and was read to her by her sister, Mrs. J.G. Johnson, every evening through many months. Her husband and two sons survive her, and her sons John P., editor of the Maquoketa Excelsior, and Thomas, a teacher in the high school of Minneapolis, and other near friends bore her to her burial in Hazelwood on Friday last, the 26th inst. The solos at the funeral were sung very tenderly by Mr. E.B. Brande. Professor L.F. Parker officiated.