McReynolds, Ellen F. 1851-1929

MCREYNOLDS, ATWOOD, WOOD, ALMY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/6/2012 at 17:19:19

The Grinnell (IA) Herald;Jan. 25, 1929

MRS. F.F. ALMY'S MOTHER PASSES AWAY

Mrs. Ellen F. McReynolds, mother of Mrs. Frank Almy, died on Tuesday afternoon, January 22, at the Almy home, 436 East street, after long confinement to her bed, following a cerebral hemorrhage which occurred early in October last. Mrs. McReynolds has made her home here for the past thirty-three years.

Ellen Frances Atwood was born at Hazel Green, Wisconsin, February 22, 1851, of New England parentage. Her father, John Fletcher Atwood of Skowhegan, Maine had married Sarah Wood at Newburyport, Massachusetts and migrated to northwestern Illinois and thence into southwestern Wisconsin.

Here Ellen Frances grew to womanhood near the town of Fennimore. Here in 1868 she married John Wilson McReynolds, who had grown to manhood in that region, and who was a veteran of the then recent Civil War.

In 1874 they migrated by covered wagons, in caravan including the Atwoods and other Wisconsin neighbors and settled on railroad lands near Ashland, Nebraska. There grew up a considerable neighborhood of people of somewhat common origin and congenial manners and tastes. After her husband's death in 1887 she continued to live in that neighborhood until she came to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Frank F. Almy in Grinnell.

In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Almy, she leaves two sons Frank C. McReynolds of Long Beach, California and Henry E. McReynolds of Allenspark, Colorado.

Short funeral services were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Almy on Wednesday afternoon with Reverend E.M. Vittum in charge. Mrs. F. J. Keisel sang "Lead Kindly Light," accompanied by Mrs. Bolt. Mr. and Mrs. Almy left with the body on Rock Island train No. 7, on Wednesday evening. Burial will be at Ashland, Nebraska.