Kilburn, Mary Frances 1833-1915

KILBURN, CLARK, LISTER, FERRY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/1/2013 at 14:21:07

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Sept. 24, 1915

MRS. MARY FRANCES KILBURN

Montezuma Republican: Mary Frances Kilburn, the daughter of William and Frances Clark, was born in Zanesville, O., August 12, 1833, and died at her home in Oskaloosa, September 16, 1915. She was one of seven children, four brothers and three sisters, all of whom have preceded her except a sister, Mrs. J.F. Lister, of Newton. Mrs. Kilburn united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1847 and continued a steadfast member throughout her life.

In 1855 the family moved to Newton where she was married to Edwin Ferry on February 22, 1859. They made their home in Irville, O., where two children were born to them, Minnie and Edwin. The husband and daughter died in 1865. The son now resides in Hammond, La. Mrs. Ferry returned to Newton, where on February 2, 1871, she was united in marriage with Francis A. Kilburn, a well to do pioneer merchant of Montezuma. This union gave birth to one daughter, Lillian Frances. The family home was maintained in Montezuma until 1890. The husband and father departed this life May 16, 1896. The next two years were spent in Chicago, while Miss Lillian took a kindergarten college course. In 1900 Mrs. Kilburn established a home in Oskaloosa, where she has remained until translated to the Home above. More than ten years ago she suffered an accident that caused a lameness lasting during the remainder of her life. About two years ago a heart trouble developed, bringing with it other complications which finally overcame the once strong and healthy woman. Her daughter gave up teaching in order to care for her mother and during the later years has been her constant companion. With knowledge of the approaching separation the mutual sympathy and understanding between the mother and daughter were most beautiful.

On Friday afternoon the friends and neighbors gathered at the home to attend an impressive service conducted by Rev. W.H. Perdew, pastor of the Oskaloosa church, who feelingly referred to the life and devotion of the departed.

On Saturday morning the funeral cortege proceeded to Montezuma. From the train the remains were taken to the beautiful Methodist church, from which the funeral services were held in the afternoon. Reference was made to the fact that the land upon which the church is located was the property of the Kilburn estate and that for many years it was the site of the large, for the time, mercantile establishment conducted by Mr. Kilburn. Although Mrs. Kilburn did not participate in many of the pioneer experiences the occasion recalled to the older residents the early log cabin days of the town, the early store kept by Mr. Kilburn in a corner curtained off in the court room, the long trips with four and six more teams to Mississippi river points for goods before the advent of railroads and many other incidents connected with the name of Kilburn in the community. A number of the employes of the family still reside in the vicinity. Of these J.B. McCurdy of Oskaloosa, A. McIntosh of Grinnell, Samuel Graham, J.E. Anderson, J.J. Rodgers and Henry Dryden of Montezuma, acted as bearers.

The funeral services were largely attended by the friends of the family. Others in attendance from a distance beside Miss Lillian, were Mrs. J.F. Lister of Newton, and Miss Lura Lister of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Mears of Knoxville, Dr. and Mrs. B.O. Jerrel and Miss Louise Jerrel of Oskaloosa, Miss Vida Smith of Albia, and Miss Mary Chamberlain of Grinnell. Mr. Herman Clark of Des Moines, and Mr. Frank Loring of Sac City attended the services at the home.

Rev. I.O. Kemble, a long time friend of the family, had charge of the service, assisted by Rev. George Blagg. The music was given by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Kemble of Oskaloosa, who had many times given pleasure to Mrs. Kilburn by their singing.