COON, Mary C. 1838 – 1926

COON, PARKE, WHEELER, FORBES

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/7/2013 at 16:36:12

Mary C. Parke was born in Washington, Warren County, New Jersey, December 18, 1838, and passed away at her home in Brooklyn, Iowa, March 25, 1926, at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 7 days.

At the age of six years she moved with her family to Hackettstown in Warren County, New Jersey. At the age of 12 she entered the academy at the place and remained until fifteen years old, when with her family she moved to Largo, Wabash county, Indiana. In 1857 she united in marriage with Andrew L. Coon, and in 1861 they moved to Brooklyn, Iowa. They lived in town for six years, then moved to a farm northeast of Brooklyn where they resided until 1909, when they moved back to Brooklyn. Her husband passed over to the other shore in 1910.

She raised a large family of sons and daughters, all of whom are living, and “rise up to call her blessed.”

She united with the Presbyterian church in early life, uniting with the Brooklyn church in 1878 and has lived a constant member.

The above are the simple facts of the life of one of the pioneer mothers of this vicinity. They are published without embellishment, just as she wrote them herself. It was her part to come to Iowa when residents were few, and her privilege to witness and have part in the development of the civilization as we now have.

All of the sons and daughters were able to be present at the funeral services Sunday with the exception of Roy E. of Sioux Falls, S. Dak. The others who survive her are Ollie P. of Omaha, George W. and John F. of Brooklyn, Lewis G. of St. Louis, Mary Elizabeth, Charles E. and Estelle of Brooklyn, and Bert D. of South Bend, Indiana.

Other relatives present from out of town at the services were a grandson, Glenn of Omaha, a granddaughter, Mrs. Ina Weeler, of Masonville, Iowa, a nephew A. W. Forbes and Mrs. Forbes of Hudson, Iowa, and many other relatives and friends including numerous grandchildren and some of the nine great-grandchildren.

The services were held from the home Sunday at 2:30. Many beautiful flowers were received, the tribute of loving friends. Rev. E. W. F. Holler delivered the message, a tribute to a pioneer wife lived altogether unselfishly. A quartette composed of Mrs. Mae Armstrong, Mrs. Beryl Green, J. E. Talbott and W. C. Calderwood, with Miss Thursia Manatt at the piano supplied appropriate musical numbers.

Pallbearers were R. J. Breckenridge, W. C. Calderwood, John Montgomery, H. T. Lang, I. J. Ormiston, and G. W. Murrison. Interment was at the I.O.O.F. cemetery.

Source: Unknown newspaper clipping found in scrapbook belonging to my great grandmother.