Works, Junietta 1841-1928

WORKS, PHELPS, JOHNSTON, GIFFORD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 11/14/2011 at 09:49:57

The Grinnell (IA) Herald

OUR EARLIEST PIONEER PASSES
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Mrs. Junietta Works Had Made Home Here Since Beginnings of Grinnell
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HAD LEADING PART IN EARLY LIFE OF TOWN
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Funeral Services Were Conducted Sudnay Afternoon by Rev. E.M. Vittum
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When Mrs. Junietta Works breathed her last Thursday evening, there passed away the last living resident of Grinnell whose home had been here from its very beginning.

The original pioneers came to Grinnell March 13, 1854. Mr. Grinnell was born in New Haven, Vermont, and one of the families invited to join in making this place the site of a home was L.C. Phelps, the father of Mrs. Works, whose birhplace was also New Haven, Vermont. He came here in April of the same year, only 3 or 4 weeks after Mr. Grinnell had located the town and the deceased woman, then a young girl of 14 came with him and here had been her home ever since.

There are some living whose life stretches over a span of 73 years but perhaps only one other whose coming to Grinnell dates back to 1854, Ella Marsh now at Wichita, Kansas.

Mrs. Works' father was a man of wonderful will power, as orphaned at 7, obliged to make his own way, but with an energy and purpose which won him recognition and made him a success in life when yet in his 20's. At the age of 32 he married Junietta Cook of New Haven, Vermont, from whom Mrs. Works was named. The father was a warm friend of Mr. Grinnell. He was an able helper in every way and was perhaps one of the stronger influences which directed Mr. Grinnell to Iowa instead of to Missouri which state he had looked upon with some favor.

When Mr. Grinnell invited Mr. Phelps to join him in establishing a colony in Missouri, Mr. Phelps replied that he would go with him to Iowa but never to a slave state. Here he was for 37 years, one of the best known and most active of all our citizens. Both he and his wife were active and influential in everything that was for the betterment of the town including civic and church affiliations. Mr. Phelps served three terms as mayor. He was one of the organizers with Mr. Grinnell of the original college and after the college as moved from Davenport to this place he was for 11 years one of its trustees.

It was in this atmosphere of culture and business that Mrs. Junietta Works was reared. Her father was essentially a business man. He was also a lover of the church and in his home the Congregational church of this city was organized.

The family was a family of musicians and for many years Mrs. Works was a leader in all musical and social organizations connected with the city and one of its best known and most enjoyed singers in the Congregational choir. The Phelps family were strongly built and all had a commanding presence. During the years of her social activity, Mrs. Works was one of the leaders in the city and in the church. None were better known than she and none responded more willingly to help when help was needed.

After her marriage she settled perhaps more quietly into her household duties than many women have done but still the Works home was a center of culture and a home where musicians were welcome.

Mrs. Works belonged before her death at the age of 88 years to a generation most of whom had passed away. Yet she still retained her womanly carriage and forceful character and was always a welcome guest among her old and earlier friends.

Her last illness was not a long one but she gradually faded away into the death which must have been a welcome to her.

The funeral was held at the home Sunday afternoon conducted by Rev. E.M. Vittum, her pastor and friend in the days of her activity. The beautiful form and face which marked her earlier life were revealed in her death and those who looked upon her face as she lay in the casket could but recall the beautiful form and mind of the woman who had lived her whole life in this city.

Bearers were G.H. McMurray, W.J. Nelson, B.A. Stowe, W.G. Ray, S.R. Robinson, and I.M. Harrington.

Present at the funeral from out of town were a niece, Mrs. George P. Johnston of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Mrs. E.W. Gifford, sister of Mrs. L.C. Phelps of Cherokee, Ben B. Phelps and wife of Chicago, and Louis Johnson and wife of Sheldon, Iowa.