Latham, Margaret Emily 1851-1933

LATHAM, WILLIAMS, DUNVILLE, BECHLEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/22/2011 at 11:13:32

The Grinnell Herald

AN OBITUARY OF MRS. M.A. LATHAM

(By a Staff Correspondent)

Searsboro, Ia.: Dec. 26, Special.

Margaret Emily Williams, daughter of John and Elizabeth Dunville Williams, was born Jan. 21, 1851, near Jacksonville, Morgan county, Illinois and departed this life after a lingering illness at 10:40 a.m., Dec. 22, 1933, aged 82 years, 11 months and 1 day.

When about 5 years of age, she with her parents moved to Poweshiek county, locating near where Searsboro now stands. They were among the first families to settle in that part of the county and underwent the joys and discomforts of real pioneering.

She attended school at Hazel Dell and Grinnell and later taught in the schools of Poweshiek county.

On October 26, 1873, she was united in marriage with Mr. M.A. Latham at Searsboro, Iowa.

To this union were born four sons and one daughter, two sons and the daughter dying in infancy. Two sons, A.B. and H.R. are living in and near Searsboro.

Her husband, three sisters and one brother preceded her in death.

One brother, George Williams, lives at Los Angeles, Cal. Also four grandsons: Orrin of Wanekena, N.Y., Melvin of Yarmouth, Iowa, and Floyd and Ray of Searsboro, survive her.

She was converted in early life and joined the Methodist church and has always held high ideals of Christian living.

She always attended church services as long as her health would permit; even then her interest never diminshed. During her illness she often quoted favorite passages of Scripture and sang the hymns.

Th end of a long and useful life has come, and God has called her to her long rest, but her deeds of kindness will remain long in the memories of those who knew her best.

Funeral services were held from the M.E. church Sunday at 2 p.m. conducted by Rev. Geo. Blagg of New Sharon, who used Rev. 20-5 for his discourse. This was a passage selected by Mrs. Latham.

Mrs. Jessie Davis, Fay Stanley and Bessie Brignon sang "The City Four Square, "Asleep In Jesus," "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," and "Jesus Is Mine," with Veta Richards at the piano. She had selected the songs and also the singers and player.

A large concourse of friends followed her to her last resting place in the I.O.O.F. cemetery beside her husband and children.

Those who attended from a distance were her cousin, Dr. Fred Bechley and wife of Guthrie Center, Judge Frank Bechly, Edgar McNeil, Dale Gregson and Lou Morgan of Montezuma, Mrs. Hile and Mr. Miller and Betty Blagg of New Sharon, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stanley, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fleener, Charles Keener, Mrs. Clarence Main, Miss Stanley, Homer Powell and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Binegar of Grinnell, Mrs. Lydia Gause and son Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. Merlyn Elliott, Mr. Ratcliff and Mr. and Mrs. Rile Alley of Lynnville.