Stagg, Lydia Maria 1846-1927

STAGG, RUGG, MILLER, CHASE, HANNAY, BARTOW

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/2/2012 at 16:05:05

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Nov. 15, 1927

MRS. LYDIA STAGG IS BURIED HERE

Lydia Maria Miller, daughter of Chauncey and Louise Rugg Miller, was born on the farm in Sangerfield Center, near Waterville, N.Y., which her grandfather entered late in Seventeen Hundred.

Her father died when she was twelve and she lost her mother the following year. There were two other children. Her sister, Mrs. Mary Chase, died in 1888 and her brother, Levi G. Miller, who visited here in 1911, died in 1914. She attended boarding school in Westmoreland, N.Y., and graduated in the class of 1868 from Whitestown Seminary. She taught continuously until her marriage to Eli Stagg which occurred in the Charleston Four Corners church, N.Y., Sunday morning, February 23, 1879. They came at once to his farm home which he had already prepared near Tipton, Iowa.

Her early life was Congregational influence--her family helped found the first church in Sangerfield and her mother was one of the choir for years. An only child, Delilia E.--Mrs. Robert Hannay--was born to them.

The family moved to Grinnell for school advantages and united with the Congregational church in 1896. She never removed their membership. Although she moved to Minnesota and has lived there most of the time since 1917, she always thought of Grinnell as home.

She was a true wife and helpmate and a wonderful mother and grandmother to her two boys, Eli and Robert from whom she never wanted to be separated and they as well as their father put aside their own wishes to help minister to her wants to the very last.

She enjoyed her friends and loved to be friendly and helpful to others. She loved to bring happiness to others. During her teaching days and the pioneering life in Eastern Iowa, she was a true example of the present day social service worker.

She slipped away quietly at the home of her daughter, November 9, 1927.

Funeral services were held in the Congregational church, November 11, 1927.

Her old pastor, Rev. E.M. Vittum, officiated. Mr. Matlack was at the organ. Mrs. Snook and Mrs. Bouma sang two of her favorite hymns.

Pallbearers were old friends and neighbors, G.L. Saunders, H.C. Powell, J.B. Grinnell, E.H. Dunham, Wm. Bader and John Hannay.

Because of the distance only the daughter's family from Austin, Minn., and a cousin, Mrs. Cleon Bartow, from Lynnville, were able to be present.

She was laid to rest in Hazelwood beside her husband who passed away twenty-five years ago.

She was a charter member of the Read and Reflect club and also belonged to the Relief Corps while in Grinnell, and was a woman of rare influence and worth.

Transcriber Note: Find A Grave Memorial #81642052; Lydia M. Stagg Dec 20, 1846-Nov 8, 1927; Hazelwood Cem., Grinnell, Iowa