Williams, Elizabeth 1829-1904

WILLIAMS, LATHAM, MORGAN, CHAPMAN, HOLME, DUMVILLE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/22/2011 at 10:52:50

The Grinnell Herald

ELIZABETH WILLIAMS

Elizabeth Dumville was born in Lancashire, Eng., April 18, 1829. She removed to Hubbersfield, Yorkshire, Eng., in 1832, and from there to America, locating in Macoupin county, Ill., in March, 1841.

New conditions, the change of climate, and the death of her father in 1842 caused the family to become separated. She went to Scott county, Ill., to live with friends, where she became acquainted with Mr. John W. Williams, whom she married Jan. 8, 1846. Of this union six children were born, two of whom, Sarah Ann and Hardin Logan, died in childhood. Those remaining are Mrs. M.A. Latham and Geo. T. Williams, Searsboro, Iowa, Mrs. L.W. Morgan, Fullerton, Nebr., and Mrs. Z.M. Chapman, Rock Rapids, Iowa.

In the fall of 1854 she came with her husband to Poweshiek county, Iowa, and settled on the farm near Searsboro.

Her husband enlisted in the civil war, leaving her to the care of the farm which he made over to her before leaving. Sugar Creek contained numerous sympathizers with the south and she suffered much from them. Cows were killed and other property destroyed, but still with her children she struggled along, and succeeded in keeping the family in spite of her disloyal neighbors.

In the fall of 1864 her husband died near Savannah, Ga., on Sherman's march to the sea, thus leaving the care of her family to her. In 1866 she removed to Grinnell, Ia., to educate her children, where she has made her home ever since.

She joined the M.E. church in 1848 and has held membership in the same ever since, being a member of the M.E. church at Grinnell at the time of her death. She was always a consistent, enthusiastic and faithful church worker.

She died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. M.A. Latham, Searsboro, Iowa, at 10:15 a.m., Aug. 16, 1904. The funeral services were held at the M.E. church at Searsboro, Aug. 17, and the remains interred in the Forest Home cemetery beside those of her sister and daughter. Her only remaining sister, Mrs. J.D. Holme of Savannah, Mo., was present at her death. Besides her children, grandchildren and friends, her nephews, Dr. Edward D. Holme, Tarkio, Mo., and Dr. F.W. Bechley, Guthrie Center, Ia., and her niece, Miss Mary Bechly, Guthrie Center, Iowa, were in attendance at the funeral.
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We wish to express our appreciation and thanks to our neighbors and friends for their kindness and assistance during the last illness and death of our mother.
MRS. M.A. LATHAM
MRS. L.W. MORGAN
GEO. T. WILLIAMS
MRS. Z.M. CHAPMAN