Selle, Mattie Ann 1872-1953

SELLE, HARBISON, POOTS, WHITE, BEALE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/14/2013 at 18:58:31

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Oct. 5, 1953

WOMAN, 80,
DIES OF BURNS;
DRESS IGNITED

Accident in Farm home
Is Fatal Friday to
Mrs. Mattie Selle

Mrs.Mattie Selle, 80 was burned to death Friday afternoon at her home six miles south and a half mile west of Grinnell.

Coroner W.B. Phillips stated that apparently the elderly woman's dress caught fire as she was making coffee on an electric plate.

The evidence indicated, the coroner said, that Mrs. Selle went to the sink to put out the garment fire and ignited a curtain. She was able to put out the fire in the curtain and the table cloth then got a pillow and lay down on the living room floor.

FOUND BY NEIGHBOR

Mrs. Selle was found by Jeannette Mitchell, 12, a neighbor girl who brought the mail to her every afternoon. She had died of third degree burns of the entire body. There was only slight damage to the kitchen.

The fire victim lived alone on the homestead, located across the farm from the house occupied by her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. John Poots. Mrs. Poots was in Lynnville when the accident occurred.

FUNERAL HELD TODAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Selle were held this (Monday) afternoon at James funearl home, with the Rev. W.F. Overhulser of the Methodist church in charge.

Music was by Mrs. Dolph Miller accompanied by Mrs. Roscoe Dempster. Pallbearers were Henry Selle, Lewis Selle, George Harbison, David Anthony, Darrell Eames and George Selle. Burial was in Westfield cemetery.

BORN IN ILLINOIS

Mattie Ann Selle was born Oct. 31, 1872, in Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, the daughter of Jane and George Harbison.

In 1880 she and her parents came to Iowa. They spent some time in Nora Springs and in Cedar Falls before moving to the Grinnell community. In 1897 she was married to William H. Selle at Chester near Grinnell.

One child, Mrs. John Poots of Grinnell, was born to the marriage. Mr. Selle died in 1940. One of 10 children, Mrs. Selle is survived by three sisters in addition to her daughter. They are Mrs. George Mayo, Grinnell; Mrs. Nellie White, Oskaloosa; and Mrs. Fannie Beale, Tama.