Sarah (Pope) Chance (1849-1931)

POPE, CHANCE, THORNTON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/18/2021 at 20:28:34

From Nevada Evening Journal December 17, 1931 (page 1)

PIONEER WOMAN DEAD AT ZEARING

MRS. JONATHON CHANCE DIED AT THE HOME OF SON; FUNERAL SATURDAY

Zearing, Dec. 17--Mrs. Sarah Chance, 82, pioneer of Lincoln township passed away at the home of her son James Chance, south of Zearing, about 11:30 Wednesday morning, from complications due to old age.

Mrs. Chance came to Iowa with her husband Jonathon Chance and their three sons from Coshocton county, Ohio in 1874. They made the trip settling first in Marshalltown, overland with horses and wagon.

A year later, or in 1875 they came to Story county and established their home in West Lincoln township and near her home had been in or near Zearing continuously since.

Here she had lived her life as she saw it, meeting and subduing trial and enjoying the pleasures that some in living up to high ideals. She was a charter member of the Zearing Church of Christ.

She was born near Newcomerstown, Ohio, September 9, 1849, being a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Pope. She was united in marriage to Jonathon Chance May 10, 1867 and to this union five sons and two daughter were born, all of whom survive the parents with the exception of Bessie, who died in infancy.

Her husband, a Civil War veteran, died October 1, 1917, a few months after they had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

The surviving children are James, John, Jerry and Mrs. Bertha Thornton of the Zearing neighborhood, Thomas of St. Anthony and Frank of Tomahawk, Wis.

There are twenty living grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother Jerry Pope of Newcomerstown, Ohio.

The funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the Church of Christ in Zearing, with Rev. Chas. A. Showalter in charge. Interment will be in the Zearing cemetery.