Rombough, Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. William B.), 1840/41-1921

ROMBOUGH, MALCOMB

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/9/2016 at 20:01:38

From the Sioux County Index (Hull), February 4, 1921:

Mrs. Wm. Rombough Dead

Mary Elizabeth Malcomb was born at Marion, Ohio on the 26th day of October, 1840, being one of a family of seven children. Here she spent the days of her childhood and young womanhood, until the death of her father in 1867. Shortly after this the mother took her children, and set up a home in Albany, Missouri. It was here that the subject of this sketch was married to Wm. B. Rombough on April 6th, 1874. In 1880 they came to Hull, Sioux County, Ia., living for a time on a farm and then in town. One son was born to them, Harry M., of Nemaha, Iowa.

The husband and father died at Hull on March 17, 1912, and the mother went to make her home with her son and his wife. As her son's profession called him away from Hull to Boyden and then to Nemaha, she went too, making many friends in spite of the fact that she was unable to get our much.

While visiting with friends at Hull during the summer of 1920, she was taken with a stroke of paralysis. It was feared at first that she would not rally from the stroke, but her vitality, that of a pioneer, was such that she was able to make the return to Nemaha to spend her last days at the home of her son. Although confined to her bed, she greatly enjoyed having neighbors and friends come in and she much appreciated their kindness. Her son and his wife were tenderly faithful in their care of her night and day.

Death came at about half past five in the afternoon of January 29th, 1921, her age being 80 years, 3 months and 3 days. Besides her son, there survive, three sisters, Mrs. Maggie Boyer of Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. Allen Kellogg of Trenton, Mo., and Mrs. Ella Stephens of St. Joseph, Mo. Three sisters and one brother have preceded her in death.

Mrs. W. Romboug was an earnest Christian, and was a member of the Methodist church in good standing for the past 36 years. She was sincere in her faith, loved the church although deprived for a long time of attending its services. She had the true mother heart, was a good neighbor and a faithful friend. She was a member of the Daughters of Rebekah until her health would no longer permit her to be active.

The remains were brought to Hull Monday evening and services were held from the Methodist church, on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and she was laid to rest beside her husband in Hope Cemetery. Brief services were held at the home in Nemaha, on Sunday afternoon, January 30th. The services here were in charge of Rev. W. E. Ellison of Nemaha, and who was formerly of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rombough have the sincere sympathy of the community.

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An almost identical obituary was repeated in the Alton Democrat, February 5, 1921, Sioux Center Times section. It refers to her son and daughter-in-law as Prof. and Mrs. H. M. Rombough.

It also adds that out of town folks attending the funeral were Mr. Frank Carver, Mr. Ralph Brownelle, Fred Warbethen of Spencer; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Steinberg of Boyden and Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Fobes and daughter Harriet of Rock Valley.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index gives her birth date as 1841.