Rachel Alice (Guthrie) Couser (1856-1944)

GUTHRIE, COUSER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:14

From Nevada Evening Journal February 28, 1944 (page 3)

Final Rites Held at Zearing for Venerable Pioneer

Zearing, Feb. 28--Funeral rites for Mrs. Rachel Alice Couser, 87, who died at her home here Thursday were held Sunday afternoon, at the United Evangelical church, of which she was a charter member, with her pastor, Rev. R. E. Kerney in charge.

Burial followed in the family lot in the Zearing cemetery. The church was filled to capacity with relatives, friends and old neighbors of this beloved, venerable woman, who had devoted her lifetime to the interest of this community.

The following brief life sketch of the deceased was prepared by the sole surviving son:

"Rachel Alice Couser died at her home in Zearing Thursday afternoon, Feb. 24, 1944, at the age of 87 years, 2 months and 16 days.

"She was born in Adams county, Ohio, Dec. 8, 1956, the seventh child an family of eleven shildren.

"Rachel Alice Guthrie was united in marriage to James Burns Couser, a Civil War veteran, Oct. 5, 1871, at Mayhill, Ohio.

"The first year and one half of their married life was spent on a farm near Mayhill. They then moved to Harrison county, Iowa. The early years of their wedded life were spent in hardship and privation; homes were far separated and no ready means of communication; many day visitors Indians who rowed across the Missouri river to beg or steal. Night vigils were frequently interrupted by howling packs of wolves. Money was hard to obtain, markets were far and distant and fuel must be brought by team and wagon over swampy prairies for a distance of 25 miles. Winters were long and severe. Malaria was a common and constant menace to health. One son, Quinter, died while the home was in Harrison county.

In the spring of 1880 mother and father Couser moved to Story county to what was known as the Couser farm, two miles north of Zearing.

"The first winter they were in Story county snow came before any corn was husked and it remained until late in the spring.

"Men and boys went through their corn fields dragging a sack behind them, picking the ears sticking out of the snow.

"Before Zearing was in existence, mother and father Couser united with the Evangelical church in class organized in the Wickham school house. when the church was built in Zearing this class was transferred to town. Mother Couser united in church membership in 1883 and became one of the 15 charter members of the Evangelical Missionary Society July 1, 1904.

Her home of yesterday as well as yesteryears was always a haven of rest and comfort to the minister or weary traveler, to child or grown-up, to youth or aged.

"Mother Couser is survived by one son, Arthur, of Zearing, 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, many relatives and friends.

"She learned to greatly appreciate her neighbors and friends.

"Preceding her in death were Quinter, a son; James B., the husband, and three other sons, Alta A. who served the Evangelical church for 25 years as pastor, district superintendent and advisor; Herbert H. and Thomas G. He passing from this life to the one eternal was as a benediction, her memory a blessing.

"The family dinner was served by the Gleaner class, in the dining room of the church at one o'clock.