Ferguson, Susan Morse (Stevens) 1827-1906

FERGUSON, MORSE, STEVENS, LEFFLER, BARKER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/18/2012 at 08:49:50

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Mar. 23, 1906

SUSAN MORSE (STEVENS) FERGUSON

Susan Morse Stevens was born in Lyman, N.H., March 2, 1827 and passed away at the home of her son, F.M. Ferguson, in this city, Sunday evening, March 19, 1906 and so was just past her seventy ninth birthday.

She was married on April 6, 1848, at her home in New Hampshire, to Orrin Ferguson and together they made their home in Monroe in that state until 1863 when they came west to Illinois. In 1880 they removed to Grinnell where they have since made their home.

For many years after coming to this county they lived on the farm in Chester but for the past few years have made their home with their son, F.M . Ferguson, in town. To them have been born eight children. Two sons are deceased, George Edwin, who died in Grinnell in 1877 and A.R. Ferguson, who died in Chester in 1893.

The children, who with the bereaved husband, survive her, are Dr. W.H. Ferguson of La Crosse, Kas.; F.M. Ferguson of Grinnell; C.W. Ferguson of Chicago; A.W. Ferguson of Hutchinson, Kas.; Mrs. P.W. Leffler of Chicago and Mrs. A.W. Barker of Dubuque. Seventeen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive her.

Mrs. Ferguson's death followed immediately upon two strokes of paralysis but throughout the past year she has been in feeble health. Although so stricken as the end approached as to be unable to communicate with her family she remained conscious almost till the very end and succeeded in making herself easily understood by the loved-ones at her bedside until she peacefully fell asleep. Her last words were a beautiful prayer for the family for whom she had given all that a mother's love can give and for the husband who had been her devoted helper for nearly fifty eight years.

She was a member of the Methodist church and those who have known her even from her early childhood cannot remember a time when she was not a Christian in act and thought. Her life was the greatest blessing for her family and her sweet memory remains for them and all who came in contact with her as a blessed benediction.

Funeral services were conducted from the home of F.M. Ferguson on north Broad street Tuesday afernoon at half past two by the Rev. J.M. McClelland and the remains laid tenderly to rest in Hazelwood cemetery.