Brown, Sarah Amanda 1851-1932

BROWN, BUFFUM, MIGNERY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/31/2011 at 11:22:51

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; March 8, 1932

MRS. M.J. BROWN PASSES AWAY IN ELGIN, NEB.

Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian church in Elgin, Neb., Wednesday afternoon, March 2, for Mrs. M.J. Brown, who passed away Monday following a protracted illness. The funeral was in charge of Rev. David Scott and interment was in West Cedar Valley cemetery.

Sarah Amanda Buffum was born in Hendersonville, Ill., Sept. 25, 1851, and at the age of three years moved with her family to Andalusia, Ill. In October, 1871, the family located at Grinnell, Ia., and she taught the first term of school in a district three miles south of Grinnell. She was married Oct. 24, 1874, to M.J. Brown.

To this union were born four children: Chester J. Brown of Oklahoma City, Okla., Bertha C. Mignery of Elgin, Neb., Elmer M. Brown, who passed away Sept. 25, 1931, and Hiram Seth Brown who died in infancy at Grinnell.

In 1893 she moved with her husband and children to Elgin, Neb., living on a farm west of town until 1910 and in town since then.

She passed away Feb. 29, 1932, aged 80 years, 5 months and 4 days, after a long illness borne with characteristic fortitude and patience.

Surviving her are her husband, M.J. Brown; her son, Chester J. Brown; her daughter, Bertha C. Mignery; 8 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; also one brother, Almon Buffum of Rock Island, Ill. A host of friends mourn the death of this good Christian woman.

In her young womanhood she was a much-loved school teacher. The young people have always found a welcome in her home. Wherever she lived, the young people would gather. They enjoyed having her play the organ for them to sing. Only eternity will reveal how wide an influence she had over the lives of these young folks.

For the last few years she endured great suffering and the way she bore it was a sermon preached to all who came to see her.