Jerusha (Norton) Gilmore (1855-1898)

NORTON, GILMORE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/26/2011 at 19:15:33

From Story County Watchman March 11, 1898

DIED.--Mrs. Wm. J. Gilmore, at her home in Milford township on Monday last aged forty-five years. The last sad rites were hld by Rev. Pine and the remains were interred in the Nevada cemetery. She leaves a husband and family to mourn her loss. She was one of the best women in that section and none knew her but who speak in praise of her, and of her assistance to all who were in trouble, whether in sickness or otherwise. She will be greatly missed.

In the same paper:

Ames Watchman.

Mrs. Wm. Gilmore died at her home north-east of Ames on Monday at 4:30 p. m. She has for some time been a sufferer from inflammatory rheumatism. The funeral was held Thursday and the body laid to rest in the Nevada cemetery.

From Story County Watchman March 18, 1898

OBITUARY.--The death of Mrs. Wm. J. Gilmore is already known to the wide circle of her friends. She was born Nov. 10, 1855, at Illinois Grove, Iowa, where her parents still reside. While yet young in life she was married to Wm. J. Gilmore, and to her death lived on their farm, five and one-half miles north east of Ames. She leaves a husband and family of nine children, two daughters are married, five sons ant two little daughters remain at home. In behalf of the bereaved family in a home, made now so lonely in the new loss of an ideal wife and mother, the prayers and sympathy from their many friends and neighbors will ascend to God. Mrs. Gilmore was in many wary a remarkable woman. Hers was a genius of rare kind. The elements of character andmind that dominated her life, and the accomplishments that were peculiar to her, more than to any person the writer had ever known, are the elements and accomplishments that make for greatness in any career or position in life. Her teacher in the school of life was her Savior, always very dear to her. And every talent and accomplishment was so thoroughly stamped and moulded after the spirit and genius of her Master, as to be easily remarked by all. She literally fulfilled the latter part of the thirty-first Psalm. In her charity, she suffered long and was kind. No envious expression ever passed her lips, she was never proud, but with a beautiful of an dignity exalted christian womanhood she carried with her always. She did not desire the praise of men, but no one was more deeply wounded by an unkind word, no matter who uttered it. She preferred others to herself. True to her large unselfish heart, she seemed always to seek the good of others before her own. She was always the last to think evil of anyone and nothing ever slackened her kindly ministration to all. She was a welcome visitor to every home and a halo of hope and sunshine followed her visitation. Her tender sympathy for the suffering and needy taught her hands their peculiar cunning, modulated her voice to its finest expression and trained her judgment to fall so seldom she knew how to say the right thing at the right time. Mrs. Gilmore had no license to grant to any form of evil, but was a sincere love of righteousness. She held herself to the strictest moral account in word and deed and purpose. To her many friends there seemed no fault to find in her. Few indeed, are they, who the shortcomings that are commonly acknowledged to be natural to the flesh. Amid her many varying cares of life, Mrs. Gilmore seldom complained. In such a life as hers must necessarily come many burdens that are grevious to be borne, yet must be bourne in silence. Few people know the load this great heart has carried. And many for whom the burden was borne enjoyed their peace unconscious of her load. But it was for this that Mrs. G. bore her burden and her success made her Christian life, and a fruit that shed a crowning radiance and sublimity to all, was her unbounded intelligent faith in God and triumph of the best. If there was any good she saw it, if any ray of sunshine she caught it; she believed that everything in life had its place in deivine providence and that "all things work together for good to them that love God." It was her rule of life never to turn a deaf ear to the most childish sorrow. In her home it was mother who made all things right, who understood everything, who knew everything. The found her ear. No young girl in the community ever hesitated to tell Mrs. Gilmore her most precious secret. Her council was sought in every difficulty and many a mother has found wise council and heart cheering words of sympathy. Mrs. G. was true to every confidence and every friendship. It is scarsely necessity to say that her faithfulness and loyalty to the church of which she was a member was of same ideal type. Both to pastor and layman her council and service was of value. She sought not the loud sounding note of fame, but when many who are climbing that ladder are long forgotten in their graves the name and memory of Mrs. Gilmore will be precious. The childrens' children shall tell their sons and daughters of this noble life that has been such an inspiration to all. These words are due to her, not because she has need of them, or that she needs any defense; but as a tribute to her memory, a monument to her llife, and, perhaps, others shall be inspired by her faith and works to new life and new ideals. If this could be accomplished the writer would be hundred fold repaid. Mrs. Gilmore has gone to that "rest" that remains for the people of God. We see her face and hear her voice no more; we shall miss her smile, her countenance delight us not again, but she is not dead, the bright radiance of her life shall continue to reap its fruits. And the River of Life, at the gates of the new Jerusalem , she is colthed in raiment of immortality through Jesus Christ. In that marvelous life beyond the grave that far exceeds the keenest imagination and dream of humanity in a life exceeding the powers of revelation itself to describe, she lives forever in the fellowship of loved ones gone before, in the presence and beholding the face of her God. Let her memory be forever blessed.
J. P.