Wing, Mrs.David (Frances) 1842-1916

WING, MERRITT, MCDOWELL, WHITE

Posted By: Janet M Schuldt (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, Sioux, Iowa Thursday, January 20, 1916

The death of Mrs. D E. Wing occurred Saturday, the 15th. at home of her daughter. Mrs. H P. White in Sioux City. The remains were brought to Ireton on the evening train and the funeral held Monday from the M. E. Church. The church was filled with the friends and neighbors of this excellent woman and many beautiful floral offerings testified to the love and esteem in which she was held. Rev. Gilbert of LeMars, the former pastor of the M. E. church in Ireton, preached the funeral sermon and gave a feeling and sympathetic address.

Frances R Merritt waft born in Horsehead, N. Y., in 1842. J. B. Merritt, her father, emigrated with his family to Tama county, Iowa, in 1855 and built the first house in Highland township. The nearest neighbor was at a little settlement called Indiantown, now Butlerville, about eight miles away. There were many Indians near and the life was practically that of the early pioneer. While the Indians were not turbulent or warlike, the loneliness and nearness of savages could not have been very soothing to the newcomers and kept them in a state of suppressed alarm until neighbors came nearer and gave them the confidence that the nearness of friends inspires.

She was married to D. E. Wing in Marshalltown in January 1869 and came to Ireton with her husband and family in 1888. Since this time Mr. and Mrs. Wing and their sons and daughters have been closely associated with the life and history of Ireton. Mr. Wing was as admirable in character as his wife and was universally loved and respected by everybody her. He was every man's friend and the helper of everyone who needs her help and sympathetic and kind to all, and Mrs. Wing no less than he showed forth the same good qualities. The building now occupied by the drug store and 0ld Fellows hall was put up and drug store started in company with Dr. L.C. Beckwith. He was always closely in touch with the public and political life of the town and county and was one of the most influential men here in the early days. His death occurred in 1901 and since then Mrs. Wing passed the lonely years of her widowhood, sometimes in the old home here and again with one or the other of her children. For the last year and a half, she has been a great sufferer and increasingly so until her death. With 1918all she was patient and hopeful and uncomplaining. She was always quiet and unassuming, devoted to home and family, one of those good souls who cause her friends to rise up and call her blessed, a worthy mother of good children. Long may her grave be kept green and her virtues embalmed in the hearts of her family and friends. She was a charter member of the O. E.S., a member of the W R.C. and the D. R. lodge and a useful member of each one. The W. R. C. came in a body to the funeral service.

Four brothers came to follow her to her last resting place. J.A. Merritt of Des Moines, E A. Merritt of Chillicothe, Iowa, Arthur Merritt of Montour, and Walter Merritt of Marshalltown. Of her own family, there were H. E. Wing of Ireton, Fred Wing of Marshall, Mrs. H. P. White of Sioux City and Mrs. C. R. McDowell of Doon.