Emma E. (Mackey) Sherk (1846-1907)

MACKEY, SHERK, TESDALL, NESBIT

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/20/2016 at 16:00:25

From Nevada Representative November 15, 1907

OBITUARY

DEATH OF MRS. SHERK

Mrs. Emma Sherk who has been critically ill at the home of a brother-in-law at Lodi, in South Dakota, died there on Thursday, and her body was brought here last night. The funeral is held this afternoon at the Lutheran church, conducted by Rev. R. E. Shaw, pastor of the Methodist church, there not being at this time a pastor of the Lutheran church, to which Mrs. Sherk was long attached.

Emma Mackey was born a Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1847, and died at Lodi, South Dakota, November 14, 1907, aged 60 years, 1 month and 25 days. She removed with her parents in early childhood to Kentucky and thence came with them after a couple of years to Iowa, the family residing somewhere in the vicinity of Johnson's Grove, in this county. Thence there was a removal to Dakota territory in the days of the very early settlement there; and at Lodi in the territory she was married June 12, 1871 to Benjamin Sherk. The new family continued to live in the vicinity until 1876, when they returned to Story county, and for about ten years after wards they lived north of Nevada in Richland township. Then they went back again to Lodi; but about fourteen years ago Mrs. Sherk and the children returned once more to Nevada, and here the family home has since continued. Mrs. Sherk was very severely stricken with paralysis a few years ago; but she gradually recovered and was able to do her housework. A few weeks ago she went once more to Lodi to visit relatives there, and while there she was again taken very ill. Her son John from Albert Lea, Minnesota, and her daughter, Mrs. Tesdall from Nevada, went to her, and advices sent back have been such that her death is no surprise, and the son and daughter accompanied the body back to Nevada. Of Mrs. Sherk's six children four survive. These are Henry, Will and Mrs. M. L. Tesdall of Nevada; and John of Albert Lea. A son, Harry, and another daughter, Mrs. Stella Nesbit, both now deceased, were the other children. Mrs. Sherk was a quiet, home-loving woman who impressed herself most favorably upon all who came within the circle of her influence. She was a good and true woman, who did well her duty in this world and who will be most sincerely mourned by her family and all others who knew her.