Eliza Jane (Graves) Granger (1849-1895)

GRAVES, GRANGER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/16/2011 at 20:24:05

From Story County Watchman September 13, 1895

Death of Mrs. Granger.

DIED.--At her home in Hawarden, Friday, August 30, 1895, at one o'clock p. m. Mrs. Eliza J. Granger wife of P. E. Granger.

Eliza J. Graves was born in Shelden county, Vermont, September 27, 1819. In her childhood she removed to Kane county, Ill., with her parents and later to DeKalb county, where he met her husband P. E. Granger, with whom she was united in marriage at Marengo, Ill., October 1, 1865. About a year later the young pair removed from Illinois to Iowa, locating in Story county, where they resided until 1884 when the family moved to this city, and with the exception of a few short periods they have since made Hawarden their home.

Thirteen children have been born to her, twelve of whom survive her; one--Avis--having preceded the mother to the world beyond. Three of the children are married; two--Thomas and Carrie make their home in this city, while the eldest daughter Bertha lives in Minnesota. At the time of her demise her husband and Thomas were at Sherman, Minn., a fact that adds sadness to the occasion.

Mrs. Granger had been ailing for a number of months past, but was much improved in health the past week, so much so that hopes of the complete recovery were entertained. Thursday she became worse, however, and the following day her death occurred.

The funeral services were held at the Congregational church Sunday afternoon under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, Mrs. S. F. Brown, a sister of the deceased, and her husband, of Fremond, Neb., Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Young, of Tracy, Minn., her sons, Samuel, of Amboy, Minn. and Frank of Salem, S. D., were present.

Such a brief sketch of Mrs. Granger. But to those who knew her intimeately she was much more than is indicated in those few lines. She was warm hearted, pur in thought, chaste in expression and sympathetic in nature. It is no wonder that many hearts were saddened when she was stricken with disease, and again gladden when recovery seemed possible, of that many eyes were dimmed by tears when it was whispered, "Mrs. Granger is Dead." No wonder that a multitude mourned at the funeral and bowed their heads in sorrow o'er her grave. It was loving hearts and willing hands that placed the sweet flowers on her casket, emblems of faith, hope and victory.

Her great devotion to her children was a characteristic ever prominent. Her care and concern for them seemed ever upmost in her mind, and no sacrifice was too great for her to make in their behalf, and they in turn greatly sweetened her life. Any tribute which the writer of this article could offer, would fail to do justice to the simple beauty of that noble charcter which has gone from among us. In thought, word and deed he was honest. Aggressive in her duties, she was as tender as a child; her heart was too full of kindness to leave room for resentment or the memory of wrong. Above all and to sum up all, she possessed the true qualifications and heart of true womanhood. She has passed from our view, but she is still with us. The realms of immortality are the brighter for her presence there. and this community is the better for her long residence in it--better for the good results of her right living.

It is no figure of speech to say that the bereaved husband and motherless children have the unfeigned sympathy of the entire community.--Hawarden Independent, Sept. 5.