Milliman, Mary (Leisure) 1852-1896

MILLIMAN, LEISURE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/1/2012 at 08:36:43

The Grinnell (IA) Herald

IN MEMORIAM

The little daughter born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Leisure at Primrose, in Lee County, Iowa, on Dec. 8 1852, was named 'Mary.' They all became residents of Grinnell in 1855. We loved the child as she grew up into school, society and college. Her bright eyes, cheerful face and the manners of a little lady compelled it. Her eleven years of service (more or less constant) with her father in the postoffice brought her to the notice of every citizen of the place as she reached maturer years and enlarged the circle of her sincere friends. But she clung still to her love of home, of her quiet room and of her books of history and of literature. After her marriage in 1878 to Capt. Milliman she resided seven years longer in this vicinity (at Montezuma and in Grinnell), and then removed to Kansas where she remained till the fall of 1894, when she returned to her father's house to die. In the later months of her life she hoped to find some relief in Colorado air, but the trial was a disappointment. Some three weeks ago she was brought here again, and life closed on Friday last, March 13. She was a great sufferer, at times in intense pain. Much in her life and near its close was exceedingly pathetic, but nothing more so than the scene when the hymn, "Jesus, lover of my soul," escaped in song from her thin lips after she was struck with death. She had not deemed herself a christian till near life's close; her friends are happy in the specially christian memories of her last weeks. The funeral exercises were held at her father's house on Saturday, and conducted by Rev. E.M. Vittum and Prof. Parker. Friends of her youth had charge of the music and of the procession; such real friends filled the house.