Mary (CHANCE) BEAR DAY

CHANCE, BEAR, DAY, GARD, FRESHWATER, BRIDSON

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/20/2008 at 12:03:09

The Ringgold Record, 1898

DEATH of MRS. MARY DAY.

The death of Mrs. Mary DAY occurred at 5 o'clock Monday afternoon, and it was an unexpected shock to the community. She had been in her usual good health and had just returned on Sunday from a visit with her niece, Mrs. I. W. GARD, of Athelstan. She was not feeling well when she returned home, but did not complain much until Sunday evening, when symptoms of cholera morbus developed. She grew rapidly worse and never rallied after she was taken sick.

Mrs. DAY's maiden name was CHANCE. She was born in Ashland county, Ohio, April 6, 1839, and was fifty-nine years, three months and ten days old at the time of her death. In the autumn of 1856 she moved with her parents to Ringgold county, where she has since resided. In December, 1863, she was married to Adam BEAR, who died a few years later as the result of an army wound received during the Civil war. [Adam BEAR, born March 22, 1837, was a private with Company G of the 29th Iowa Infantry was wounded April 19, 1864 at Terre Noir Creek, Arkansas and taken prisoner, and died June 19, 1864, at Camden, Arkansas. He was interred at Bear Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.]

On November 12, 1870, she was again married to Benj. F. DAY who passed away in March, 1893, leaving her again a widow. Mrs. DAY was always a devoted christian woman and derived much comfort from her attendance on church and religious duties. She had a cheerful and happy disposition and was always ministering to the sick and those in distress. She was converted in 1856 and cast her lot with the Baptist denomination.

The funeral services were conducted by her pastor, Dr. W. C. MARTIN, from the Methodist church at 4 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon and the remains were laid to rest in Rose Hill cemetery. Dr. MARTIN delivered a very impressive sermon and spoke of the beautiful christian character of the deceased in eloquent words. Mrs. DAY, by her long residence in Ringgold county, was known by a large majority of our citizens. She has always taken a prominent part in public and religious works and was one of the pioneer school teachers of the county, and her death will be felt by the entire community. She leaves two brothers and three sisters to mourn her death. The brothers are D. and C. J. CHANCE, and the sisters are Miss Charlotte CHANCE, Mrs. Wm. FRESHWATER and Mrs. E. BRIDSON. [Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.]

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, 2008