Sylvester, Margaret Ellen 1860-1928

SYLVESTER, HULL, FLECK, WHARTON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/20/2012 at 17:23:50

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; April 20, 1928

GRACIOUS LIFE REACHES CLOSE
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Mrs. D.M.Sylvester Is Mourned by Devoted Family and Many Friends.
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HAD LIVED IN POWESHIEK COUNTY SINCE 1887
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Mrs. Sylvester and Her Husband Almost Reached 50th Wedding Anniversary.
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When, on last Sunday afternoon, Mrs. D.M. Sylvester answered the summons of the death messenger, her friends, hoping against hope that she might regain her health, realized that a great loss had come to them, that the community had lost a woman of strength and character, and the members of her family, a devoted wife and mother.

Mrs. Sylvester displayed marked traits of character in the various relationships of life. In the home she proved a real help-mate to her husband, with whom she spent almost fifty years of wedded life, and while they were not privileged to reach the golden wedding anniversay, it can be said that the almost fifty years had been golden in their richness. To her children, who were gladly welcomed, she was a true mother, following them with her counsel and love from babyhood until they were established in their own homes, and then continuing to make her own home a center and place of welcome toward which the children constantly looked. She was always glad for their return for the week end visits. These same visits were keenly anticipated by the children and will be treasured as among the pleasantest of memories in the coming days.

To the church and Sabbath School she was faithful and loyal, and while she did not make any outward display of her religious life, yet she had a deep and abiding sense of spiritual values and understood the meaning of her relation to Jesus as Saviour. This trait was brought out in the months of suffering that she endured. She had a growing faith and a sure confidence in God and frequently expressed the assurance of hope in the life to come. Loved ones and her friends mourn her departure, but are comforted, as they think of her as being at rest with her Lord.

Margaret Ellen Hull, daughter of Edgar C. and Appolonia Hull, was born in Taylor County, West Virginia, March 20, 1860. The summer of 1861, the family moved to Iowa and settled in the northern part of Mahaska County. Here she grew to womanhood and on March 6, 1879, was united in marriage with Dixon M. Sylvester. The first years of married life were spent on the farm in Jasper County. They then moved to another farm in Poweshiek County and in 1908, to the home in Grinnell. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester, Ruel H. Sylvester of Des Moines; Herschel C. of Grinnell, and Mrs. Lona A. Fleck of Killduff, Iowa.

Mrs. Sylvester was brought up in a Christian home. Her father was a Methodist class leader and for years was a leader in song. At the age of sixteen, Mrs. Sylvester united with the church and kept her interest in church activities to the last. She peacefully fell asleep at the St. Francis Hospital in Grinnell, Sunday afternoon, April 15, after many months of suffering. Other near relatives besides the husband and children are, one sister, Mrs W.E. Wharton of New Sharon, and three grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon at the family residence on Main Street, Grinnell, in charge of the Rev. George Blagg. The hymns, "Rock of Ages: and "Holy Spirit, Light Divine," were sung by a quartet consisting of Messrs. Molsberry, Dawkins, Myers and Barkelew. The pall bearers were Messrs. Henry Johnson, R.G. Coutts, G.O. Watland, C.S. George, George C. Murray and F.C. Clayberg. Burial was made in Hazelwood.