Buffington, Mary (Mrs. Samuel W.), 1843-1915

BUFFINGTON, AWTRY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/16/2016 at 19:43:43

From the Rock Valley Bee, April 23, 1915:

DEATH OF MRS. S. W. BUFFINGTON

Mrs. S. W. Buffington, a resident of Rock Valley and vicinity for nearly thirty years, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Van Daalen of Doon, last Saturday [April 17] at 1:55 p.m. at the advanced age of seventy-one years, nine months and seventeen days. She had not been well for more than four months, but did not take to her bed until April 4th, and from that time she failed rapidly until death came to relieve her.

The subject of this sketch was born in Marion county, this state, June 30th, 1843, where she spent her early life and grew to womanhood, and was united in marriage to S. W. Buffington in 1860. This union was blessed with fourteen children, seven of whom are living, and who with the exception of two who were not able to get here, were present at the funeral. The children are Simon of Rock Valley, Andrew of Pipestone, Minn., Samuel, Cole Harbor, N.D., Mrs. Van Daalen, Doon, Ia., Mrs. Ida Stengel, Worthing, S.D., Mrs. Arnetta Stengel, Underwood, N.D., and Frank of Luverne, Minn.

The deceased came to Rock Valley in 1876 where she resided continuously until a few weeks ago when she went to Doon to visit her daughter, Mrs. Van Daalen, where she was taken sick on April 4th, as stated above. The deceased was a woman who was highly respected by all who knew her. She was a kind and loving mother and a dutiful wife. Her husband preceded her to the great beyond two years ago.

Short funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. Van Daalen at Doon Tuesday afternoon and the remains were brought to Rock Valley where services were held in the Methodist church conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. S. Shroyer, assisted by Rev. D. W. Witham, of the Congregational church at Doon. Beautiful floral tributes bore evidence of the high esteem in which the deceased was held. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of many friends.

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From the Alton Democrat, April 24, 1915: Rock Valley news:

Mrs. Mary Buffington was born in Pella June 30, 1843, and departed this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Van Daalen at Doon, April 1, 1915 and at the time of her passing was seventy-one years, nine months and seventeen days of age. In 1860 the deceased was married to S. W. Buffington at Pella, Iowa.

She was the mother of fourteen children and four sons and three daughters survive her, Simon Buffington of Rock Valley, Andrew J. Buffington of Pipestone, Minn., Samuel Buffington of Coal Harbor, N.D., and Frank Buffington of Luverne, Minn., Mrs. John Val[i.e., Van] Daalen of Doon, Mrs. Ida Stengel of Worthing, S.D., and Mrs. Amel Stengel of Hancock, N.D.

She had lived in Rock Valley and vicinity for twenty-nine years. She retained full possession of her faculties until the end came. She had been indisposed for several months and was visiting at the home of her daughter when taken sick and from which illness she never recovered. Her last words were "My faith is in Jesus, and I hope to meet Him"; and peacefully passed to her reward. She was not identified with any church but was a woman who led an exemplary life and worthy of imitation. Thoughtful kindness and a cheerful disposition made her greatly beloved by her children and friends.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. J. L. Shroyer assisted by Rev. D. W. Witham pastor of the congregational church at Doon in the presence of many sympathizing neighbors and friends. The remains were interred in Valley View cemetery. She will be missed as only such noble souls can be by her large circle of relatives and friends. May they strive to meet her in "The sweet by and bye." The bereaved ones have the sympathy of their many friends in this their hour of sorrow.

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Her husband's obituary (separately posted) gives his full name as Samuel Wesley Buffington, and his wife's name as Mary Awtry.