Margaret (Thornton) Reed (1851-1947)

THORNTON, REED, NILAND

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/6/2020 at 21:18:32

From Nevada Evening Journal June 13, 1947 (page 6)

Mrs. Margaret Reed Colo Woman Laid to Rest

Colo, June 13--Mrs. Margaret Reed, pioneer Colo woman, and oldest resident of the community was laid to rest in the Colo cemetery Thursday afternoon, June 5, 1947.

Funeral services were conducted at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Anna Niland, in charge of Rev. Father J. D. Mahoney assisted by Rev. Alfred Schneck. Musical numbers were "In the Garden" and "Abide With Me" rendered by Rev. R. L. Russell with Mrs. Frances O'Donnell as accompanist. Casket bearers were Fred Thornton, Merle Thornton, Charles Brandfield, Milo Dodd, Raymond Scott and James Scott. The floral offerings were many and beautiful, and were cared for by Mrs. Agnes Orr, Mrs. Alice Tripp, Mrs. Etta Clarke, Mrs. Mattie Hellyer, Mrs. Mae Perry and Miss Zola Carver. The services at the cemetery were conducted by Rev. Schneck.

Obituary

Margaret Thornton Reed was born in Edinburgh, Scotland July 31, 1851 and passed away at her home in Colo, Iowa June 2, 1947, at the age of 95 years, 10 months and 2 days. She came to this country with her parents, John and Ann Thornton at the age of 7 years, and settled near Lancaster in Grant county, Wisconsin. In June 1869 she was united in marriage to Michael Reed, shortly after which they settled near Colo in Story county, Iowa. Two children were born to this union, a daughter, Mrs. Anna Niland, and a son, Charles. They lived on a farm just north of Colo and after the passing of husband in 1901, she moved to town where she has since made her home with her son, Charles.

She leaves to mourn her loss, her daughter, Mrs. Anna Niland and son, Charles, both of Colo, three grandchildren and five great great grandchildren, also three brothers, James Thornton of Colo, Iowa, John of Winterset, Iowa, and William of Bloomington, Wis. and two sisters, Mrs. Anna Mason of Bloomington, Wis., and Mrs. Agnes Handy of Fayette, Iowa.

Her amiable cheery disposition endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. She was possessed of a remarkable memory, a keen sense of humor and up to the time of her last illness kept a lively interest in current events and local incidents. She kept up her home and was always a gracious hostess to all who called on her. In an interview on the occasion of her 95th birthday, she vividly recounted many of the happening of her pioneer life in the community and the period of over 77 year she had lived here. In her passing we lose a most esteemed neighbor, one who, from the early days up to the present has contributed largely to the upbuilding of the community.

Friends and relatives attending from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thornton, Mr. and Mrs. Merle Thornton and Mr. and Mrs. John Gilmore of Zearing, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. John Cross of Newton, Iowa, Mrs. T. M. McAlon of St. Louis, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. James O'Donnell and Jane of Williams, Iowa, Mrs. T. H. McCarthy of Webster City, Iowa, Mrs. Frank Kruse of Vinton, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Megan of Eldora, Iowa, Joe Mally of State Center, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. Wallis Piper, Miss Eleanor Perry, Mrs. Freda Townsend and Mrs. Marshall Townsend of Ames, Iowa, Mrs. John Zataska of Marshalltown, Iowa, Mr. James J. Mein of Roland, Iowa, Mrs. Grant Cummings, Dorothy and Donna of Lake Forest, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Scott, Mrs. Fanny French and Mrs. Harry Lozier of Des Moines, Iowa, Mrs. Jennie Stewart and Mrs. Ben Goff of Blairstown, Iowa and Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Kriner of Nevada, Iowa.