Moore, Mary Melissa 1855-1920

MOORE, MATTESON, HAMILTON, EICHNER, WOODARD

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 7/29/2012 at 11:07:48

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; May 1920

OBITUARY OF MRS. MARY MOORE.

Mary Melissa Matteson was born near Grinnell, Iowa, Dec. 24, 1855 and departed from this life May 23, 1920, at the age of sixty-four years and five months.

She was the daughter of Perry and Fanny Matteson, who were the parents of eleven children. When she was fifteen years of age her mother died and she did her best to fill the place for her mother in the home and care for five children younger than herself. On October 19th, 1876 she was united in marriage to James S. Moore, to this union were born two daughters, Kitty and Fanny. The former, Mrs. A.P. Hamilton of Grinnell, the latter Mrs. V.C. Eichner who lives on a farm two miles and a half east of the parental home.

After her marriage Mrs. Moore and her husband lived on a farm four miles north of Sully until 1906 when they moved to a farm south of Grinnell where they lived for one year. The following year they moved to the farm one mile south of the Pleasant View church where they have since made their home. She united with the Methodist Church at Killduff several years ago and has always held her membership at this place.

She had been in poor health for some time but the last few weeks she has been much better and hopes were entertained for her recovery. On Sunday afternoon May 23rd both of her daughters and their families were with her. She seemed quite well and seemed to enjoy the visit with the family. After they returned to their homes she went about the regular tasks of the home apparently as well as usual and while about the home duties she dropped dead and was found a short time afterward by her husband.

She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, James S. Moore, the two daughters, Mrs. A.P. Hamilton and Mrs. V.C. Eichner, three grandchildren, Alfred and Gene Hamilton, and Merlyn Eichner, also one sister, Mrs. George Woodard of Grinnell and four brothers, James Matteson of Leon, Ia., George of Winner, South Dakota, Chas. of Rock Falls, Wyoming and Frank who lives near Grinnell. She was a good wife, a kind and loving mother and a good neighbor. Besides the immediate family a large circle of friends and neighbors mourn her sudden death.

The funeral was conducted from her home Wednesday morning at ten o'clock, Rev. W.G. Barr, pastor of the Killduff Methodist church officiating. She was laid to rest in the Hazelwood Cemetery at Grinnell. The funeral was largely attended, the floral offerings were numerous and beautiful.

The following poem by E.E. Hewitt, which was quoted in the sermon is published by request.

There is rest, sweet rest, at the Master's feet,
There is favor now at the mercy seat,
For atoning blood has been sprinkled
there;
There is always a blessing, a blessing
in Prayer.
There is grace to help in our time of
need,
For our Friend above is a Friend in-
deed,
We may cast on Him every grief and
care;
There is always a blessing, a blessing
in Prayer.
When our songs are glad with the joy
of life,
When our hearts are sad with its ills
and strife,
When the powers of sin would the
soul ensnare,
There is always a blessing, a blessing
in Prayer.
There is perfect peace when tho the
wild waves roll,
There are gifts of love for the seeking
soul,
Till we praise the Lord in His home
so fair;
There is always a blessing, a blessing
in Prayer.
There's a blessing in prayer, in believ-
ing prayer,
When our Savior's name to the throne
we bear,,
Then a Father's love will receive us
there;
There is always a blessing, a blessing
in Prayer.

CARD OF THANKS.

We desire to thank the many kind friends and neighbors for their help and sympathy in our bereavement, the death of our wife and mother. We also desire to express our appreciation for the many floral offerings.
James S. Moore,
Mrs. A.P. Hamilton and faimly,
Mrs. V.C. Eichner and family.