Carr, Charlotte A. 1844-1921

CARR, FRICK, CUTTS, CLUTE, BURNETT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 6/8/2012 at 09:34:53

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Dec. 9, 1921

PIONEER WOMAN DIES
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Mrs. J.W. Carr, Wife of Captain Carr Passes Away at Home in Montezuma
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RESIDENT OF COUNTY SEAT FOR SIXTY SIX YEARS
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Had Been Active in Civic Affairs--Her Death Came on Her Seventy Seventh Birthday
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Wednesday evening of last week death removed from Montezuma one of its pioneer residents. Mrs. J.W. Carr passed to the great beyond after two weeks of suffering. Her death was not altogether unexpected but her going removes from Montezuma a woman whose place cannot be filled. Kind and generous, loving her neighbor as herself, offering her services in all enterprises for the welfare of those about her, with tender care she aided the distressed and found no labor too hard when charity's call came to her door. None knew her but to love her.

Mrs. Carr had been a resident of Montezuma for sixty six years. On a visit here with her sister, Mrs. Cutts, she first met Capt. Carr, and they were married in January 1866. The family home had been here all the years since, save a short period spent in Des Moines and in Harper, Kansas.

Mrs. Carr had been very active in civic affairs, and was one of the leading workers in the Eastern Star and Pythian Sisters.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon, Rev. Lanning in charge.

The following contribution conveys the story of her life, a life filled with good.

The many friends of Mrs. J.W. Carr were caused to mourn when the intelligence went over the community, that she was dead. She had passed her 77th birthday, but was in her usual health until a few days ago. Funeral was held at the home on Sunday afternoon, Rev. Lanning giving the funeral address, Rev. Frerking reading the scripture and offering prayer.

On December 2nd the angel of death came to the J.W. Carr home and in answer to his summons Charlotte Carr left the mortal body in which from her youth she had been the fond companion of her husband for more than fifty-five years. Mrs. Carr was not a native of Iowa, but was born near Buffalo, N.Y., April 30, 1844. When an infant she was brought to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where she received her education and grew to womanhood, coming to Montezuma as a school teacher in 1863; then Miss Charlotte A. Frick and made her home with her sister, Mrs. M.E. Cutts. She taught in the Montezuma Public schools for about two years. She and J.W. Carr were united in marriage January 10, 1866. Two sons were born to them, Fred and Clifford. Two of her sisters survive her, Mrs. Susan E. Clute of Kankakee, Ill., and Mrs. Clara Burnett of Long Island, N.Y.

Mrs. Carr was ever a messenger of good cheer and friendliness, tho she did not grow old. She ever made friends among the younger people, and was a friend beloved of children and middleaged as well as by those of her own age. Her neighborly visits were enjoyed by all. She loved books and kept an active mind by giving herself to the task of memorizing prose and poetry, her patriotic selections, which when called upon she gave with much enthusiasm and spirit, were ever enjoyed by all who heard. She was very modest and of kindly grace, which was shown by the message she penned sometime ago and laid away among other things against the day of her burial. These are the words she wrote addressing them. "To My Family"

"Realizing that at my age life is very uncertain, and that the summons to leave this world may come at any time, I have a few words I would like to leave behind me.

"If I am taken before my dearly beloved husband, I shall be very sorry, for he will be lonely without me; but he can console himself by thinking that it will not be long until he will hear the call also. And in the meantime he can reflect on the long years we have spent together, overlooking my short comings, and remembering only the pleasant things.

"To my children I would say, follow the teachings which I have ever tried to keep before you, and think of me in doing those things which I have ever taught to lead to a good and upright life. At my funeral I would have no show. Let it be simple and without affectation.

"Let no graces of character be attributed to me which I did not possess, and I think I would ask notheing better than what is expressed in these lines which I have loved and cherished many years."
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When I am dead

I would not have the rude and gaping crowd
Around me gather, and mid lamentations loud

Tell of my virtues, and with vain regret

Bemoan my loss, leaving me, so soon forgot.

But I would have the few of kindly heart,

Who, when misfortune came, so nobly did their part,

And oft by kindly deed their love express;

Them I would have no more, no less,

When I am dead.

When I am dead

Would not have the high storied stone

Placed o'er my grave and then left alone;

But I would have some living thing I once did love

E'er I did leave for the joyous world above,

Placed o'er me, and in each succeeding year,

I'd have my friends renew them, and
oft linger near

With loving thought upon the dear
one laid below,

And talk of times departed, long ago,

When I am dead.
When I am dead,

Forgive--O, this I pray for more than all--

The anguish I have caused, the deed
beyond recall.

Think kindly on me as I lie, so cold,
so still,

So poor a subject of an angered ill;

Think of some generous deed, some
good word spoken,

Of hearts bound up I found so sad
and broken;

Think gently when this last long rest
is mine,

And gaze upon my face with looks
benign,

When I am dead.

--Montezuma Republican.