Handy, Ann (Mrs. Homer M.), 1830-1925

HANDY, CHAMBERS

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

From the Alton Democrat, June 5, 1925, Rock Valley news:

Word was received here Friday of the death of Mrs. Ann Handy, a former resident of Rock Valley. She had reached the age of 95 years and the most of her life she has been well and hearty the last year her health had been failing. The Handys formerly owned and operated a hotel here and after retiring to private life occupied a residence on 1st street for many years. Mr. Handy died in 1913 and was taken to Rock Rapids to be buried. Mrs. Handy continued to live here for several years after, but finally consented to go to live with her daughter Mrs. Green of Rock Rapids where she has spent the last years of her life. She was laid to rest beside her husband on Monday. Mrs. Handy had many friends here who mourn with the relatives.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, June 12, 1925:

PASSING OF LYON COUNTY’S OLDEST CITIZEN, MRS. HANDY

The death of Mrs. Ann M. Handy, at 4:30 o’clock last Friday afternoon, marked the passing of Lyon county’s oldest citizen. She was in her 96th year, having been born in Canterbury, England, February 14, 1830, when Andrew Jackson was president of the United States.

Mrs. Handy had been ailing for about a year, and during the last months of her illness she was confined to her bed most of the time. Until taken sick, however, she was remarkably well preserved for a woman of her advanced years, mentally alert, posted on current affairs, and finding much satisfaction in visiting with friends. Up to about a year ago, when her eyesight began to fail, she read books from the public library.
At the time of her death she was living with her daughter, Mrs. J. F. Curtis, and the end came in the Curtis home in Rock Rapids.

The funeral was held Monday afternoon at the Curtis home. Rev. Carl P. Bast, pastor of the Congregational church, conducted the services. Mrs. Handy was the last surviving charter member of the Rock Rapids Congregational church. Interment was in Riverview cemetery. Pallbearers were W. S. Cooper, Gen. Macnab, Thomas Abraham, W. G. Smith, C. W. Bradley and C. F. Shannon. Mrs. A. H. Lockwood sang at the funeral.

When Ann M. Chambers was 8 years of age, she came to America with her parents and settled at Westfield, N.Y. There she was united in marriage to Homer N. Handy, January 4, 1848. In 1858 they moved to Rockford, Ill. They lived there ten years and moved to Grant county, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1876 they came to Lyon county, Iowa, and settled at Rock Rapids. For years they kept the old Rock Rapids house which stood on the banks of the Rock river near the present site of the Main street bridge. Among members of the traveling fraternity, the Handys had an enviable reputation for hospitality. Nothing that Mrs. Handy could do was too good for her guests. Her goodness of heart and generosity of her nature were ever asserting themselves in her solicitude and care for the unfortunate.

From Rock Rapids they went to Rock Valley, and there were proprietors of the Handy house for years. They also lived at Doon. Then they returned to Rock Rapids. Mr. Handy passed away May 25, 1912.

Mrs. Handy was admired and respected by all who knew her. She was everybody’s friend. In the old days many a commercial traveler taken sick on the road could testify to tender care given by this good woman, who never was quite so happy as when giving happiness to others. It was with a true spirit of consecration that she labored in the interest of her church, and for other worthy institutions in the pioneer days. She was always ready to do her full part and to make sacrifices for the advancement of the common good. In her last illness she was a patient sufferer, her faith enabling her to endure nobly to the end.

Out of town persons at the funeral were: Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Gemmill, Atlanta, Ga.; Mr. and Mrs. Homer R. Handy and family, Hawarden; Dr. and Mrs. A. B. Williams and family, Worthington, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Que Hains, Hawarden, Iowa; C. A. Green, Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Will Handy, Fulda, Minn.; J. Wiggerman and daughters, Howard Shipman and daughters, and Mrs. James Thomas, Rock Valley; Mr. and Mrs. Tony Hanion, Alexandria, S.D.—Rock Rapids Review.

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Her death certificate has Mrs. Ann Maria Handy, widow of Homer M. Handy; born Feb. 14, 1830 in England; father Robert Chambers, born in France, mother’s name not known, born in England; informant Minnie L. Curtis; died in Rock Rapids, where she had resided 5 years, on May 29, 1925 at 4:40 p.m.; cause of death, senility; buried June 1 in Rock Rapids.