Okey, Abigail (Mrs. Wilson S.) 1825-1900

OKEY, LARGENT, LARGEANT

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/27/2017 at 08:58:52

From the Sioux County Index (Hull), May 4, 1900:

A Pioneer Gone.

On Saturday evening at nine o'clock Grandma Okey, as she has been familiarly known in Hull for many years, breathed her last and passed to that final rest that comes to us all. Ever since Hull had its beginning she has been a well known resident among us.

Mrs. Okey, whose maiden name was Abigail Largent, was born in Virginia on July 23, 1825. Her parents moved to Ohio when she was quite young. In 1845 at Carlisle, O., she was married to Wilson S. Okey, the aged husband who still survives her. In 1853 the young couple moved to Cassville, Wis. and thence to Iowa in 1868, and later on in 1871, they removed to Sioux county where they homesteaded the place two miles southwest of Hull. In 1879, the spring after the town started, Mr. and Mrs. Okey removed to town where they have since dwelt in quiet contentment. Mrs. Okey has been a member of the M.E. church since her removal from Ohio, having joined that organization at Cassville, Wis. in 1853.

Three children are left to mourn the passing away of the mother, George, who lives at Hudson, S. Dak., Leroy, who lives at Sioux City and Mrs. Cornforth who dwells at Edna, in Lyon county. The one who will miss her most, Comrade Okey, who for the past fifty-five years has been her faithful companion, is in a very weakened physical state himself and feels that he will not long survive her upon whom he has had to constantly depend.

The funeral occurred Tuesday afternoon from the house, Rev. Chandler conducting them.

* * * * * * * * * *

A brief note on her death in the Alton Democrat, May 5, 1900, says that her husband is very low from the effects of a stroke of paralysis suffered last week. (He died in January 1901 -- see his obituary, posted separately.)

The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Okey, Abigail, b. 23 Jul 1825, d. 28 Apr 1900, Hope Cem Hull IA.

Researcher Wilma J. Vande Berg found that Abigail Largeant was born 23 Jul 1825 at Wheeling, West Virginia. Married Wilson S. Okey Dec 25, 1845 at Woodsfield OH. They had three children, Lewis (1848-1924), Louisa (born 1848), and George (1851-1925).