Covvey, Mary (Mrs. Eugene D.) 1846-1919

COVVEY, KILLIAN

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke --Volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Source: Hawarden Independent (6-16-1919)

Born: September 12, 1846
Died: January 11, 1919

Mrs. Eugene D. Covvey died at her home in this city last Friday night following an immediate illness of a week from influenza. Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Reverend A.M. McIntosh, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this city and burial took place in a grave by the side of her departed husband in Grace Hill Cemetery.

Mary G. Killian was born September 12, 1846, in Ireland and lived there until four years of age when she came to America with her grandparents. She made her home at Rio, Wisconsin, with an aunt until her marriage to Eugene D. Covvey December 25, 1865.

Soon after their marriage they moved to Belmond, Wright County, Iowa, where they resided two years. In the spring of 1868 they came to Union County, South Dakota and Mr. Covvey took a homestead two miles west of the present city of Hawarden where they resided for 41 years. This country was then a raw prairie, frequented occasionally by buffalo herds and roaming Indian trappers and traders. The grasshoppers in summer and blizzards in winter during those early days brought widespread suffering to the pioneers and Mr. and Mrs. Covvey became inured to hardships long before the country became thickly settled. They accumulated a competence in their years of toil and owing to their failing health moved to the present home in Hawarden in 1909. During the illness of her husband, who passed away July 26, 1918, Mrs. Covvey was untiring in her great devotion and after his death seemed unable to recover courage or strength. About a week prior to her death she was stricken with the influenza and in her weakened condition was unable to with stand the ravages of the disease and passed away January 11, 1919, at the age of 72 years, 4 months and 30 days.

During their long residence here both Mr. and Mrs. Covvey were earnest and devoted members and workers in the Presbyterian Church. She was the mother of five children, two daughters, Mrs. Anna Cox and Miss Cora Covvey, having preceded her in death.

She is survived by one son, William Eugene of Hawarden and two daughters, Mrs. Maggie Blomberg of Hawarden, who cared for her so tenderly during the last sad days and Mrs. Minnie Ingalls of Union County, South Dakota. She is also survived by one brother, William Killian, thirteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.