Yager, Emma 1860-1922

YAGER, BABB, SHIPLEY, TELFORD, PRESTON, SNOW

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/20/2012 at 07:57:51

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; April 4, 1922

MRS. WILLIAM V. YAGER

A brave, true Christian woman passed from our midst in the death of Mrs. William V. Yager, Saturday afternoon, April first. Mrs. Yager whose maiden name was Emma Babb Shipley, the eldest child of Joseph T. and Mary A. Shipley, was born in Boscobel, Wisconsin, August 31, 1860.

She was educated in the Decorah High School with supplemental work in a Wisconsin private school. Following the completion of her education, she served in the teaching faculty of the Decorah, Iowa, city school for some years. During her days as a student and as a teacher, her warmest friend was Emma Telford, now Mrs. J.F. Preston, and that friendship has continued steadfast until now.

On May 1, 1884, she was united in marriage to William Vail Yager. To them were born Beatrice Mary, a teacher in the public schools of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and James Vincent, who, since his graduation from Grinnell College in 1920, has advanced rapidly in the service of the Harris Trust and Savings Bank of Chicago. The relationships in the home were pecularly devoted and happy and nothing but beautiful memories remain.

The home was at Calmar until the fall of 1916, when it was transferred to Grinnell, in order to secure the advantages of better school facilities for the family. The Woman's Who's Who of America in 1914-15 gives this account of Mrs. Yager's services while a resident of Calmar.

"Promoted the boy scout movement in Calmar; favors woman's suffrage; Congregationalist; church steward; member of W.C.T.U.; Ladies Aid Society (Pres., Sec., and Treas., at different times); founder of Calmar Cemetery Association; district treasurer Woman's Home Missionary Association eight years; treasurer Children's Home Finding Society; member Calmar Literary Society and Calmar Study Club."

Here in Grinnell, Mrs. Yager affiliated herself with the Congregational Church where her gracious and genuine Christian life made a real addition to the fellowship. Her fine literary tastes and earnest public spirit also made her a valued member of the Historical and Literary Club and of the Woman's Club.

For a number of years her health was frail, but with characteristic courage and self forgetfulness, she played her part uncomplainingly to the end. The immediate cause of her death was erysipelas which developed rapidly following other complications.

Besides her immediate family, she is survived by three sisters and three brothers, living in New York City and on the Pacific coast.

The funeral services were conducted at the home this afternoon, April 4, at 2:30 by Rev. E.W. Cross, assisted by Rev. R.J. Montgomery, a neighbor and friend. Mrs. Edward B.T. Spencer sang a hymn. The pall bearers were, Dr. U.M. Hibbets, Dr. L.G. Lemley, D.F. Grass, W.C. Staat, B.J. Carney and S.R. Robinson.

Besides the children other out of town relatives in attendance at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Yager, Center Point, Iowa; Mrs. A.F. Snow, Calmar, Iowa, Walter D. Yager, Calmar, Iowa; and H.A. Yager, Riceville, Iowa.