Mary (Ellison) McPherson (1832-1925)

ELLISON, MCPHERSON, SPRING, OMARA, FULLER, NICHOLAS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 7/31/2022 at 14:08:38

From Nevada Evening Journal February 18, 1925 (page 6)

WAS REAL PIONEER

Came to Central Iowa When It Was Yet Territory.

Special to the Journal.
Cambridge, Feb. 18--In the death of Mrs. Mary McPherson at White Oak, south of here, February 10, Iowa lost one of its earliest permanent settler, she having come to central Iowa with her parents when a mere child, in the day when Iowa was yet a territory.

She was born Mary Ellison, in Indiana, October 22, 1832, coming to Iowa with her parents when a child, the trip being made in a covered wagon. She was fourteen years of age when the state was admitted to the union.

When she first saw the light of day Andrew Jackson was occupying the presidential chair for the first term and of the thirty presidents that have occupied that seat, twenty-four of them have been during her life time.

She was married to L. H. Spring who died nearly sixty years ago. One son was born to them, Manford Eugene Spring, who died, Nov. 22, 1908. April 1870 she was married to Mr. James T. McPherson at Iowa Center. Two daughters were born to them, Nellie Jane and Mary Evalyn, both of whom were constant in their ministry of appreciation and love during the months that their mother was confined to her bed because of illness.

Forty two years ago Mr. and Mrs. McPherson came to White Oak. When Mrs. McPherson came she had passed the half century mark in life's journey. She and her companion traveled life's road together nearly fifty-five years.

She was the oldest daughter of ten children: Four of this number are living all of whom have passed the three score years and ten. At the age of twelve she joined the Methodist church. After moving to White Oak she transferred her membership to the United Brethren church. For eighty years she has been a faithful follower of the Christ. She had come to know the meaning of the promises of the word and the influence of prayer. They were such a comfort to her in her suffering.

Those who mourn her death are a husband, who Saturday, Feb. 14, reached the eighty-third milestone, two daughters, Mrs. Mike O'Mara of Elkhart, Ia., and Mrs. James C. O'Mara of Venice, Calif., two brothers, Asa and John Ellison, Eldora and two sister, Mrs. Jane Fuller, Cambridge and Mrs. Susan Nicholas, Logan, Montana. Eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren share this sorrow with them.

Mrs. McPherson has been in ill health a number of years. The first of November she was compelled t give up and take to her bed. Here she remained, giving evidence of her wonderful vitality until released from suffering by death, Tuesday, Feb. 10.

As a sharer in a pioneer home, as a home maker and mother in two pioneer homes Mrs. McPherson deserves the respect and regard of this generation. We we those pioneer[s a ]debt we can never repay. Soon[ they ]will be no more. Their story is[told ]by but a few now. Before long all we will have will be what memory may [---] and repeat. Mrs. McPherson [was ]greatly beloved for her cheerfulness, for her kindness, for her good [---.] Out of the school of pioneer hardship she had learned to minister to [-----.] Those were days of great fellow[ship ]and helpfulness. The democracy [---] toil and suffering produced some [long ]standing virtues.

Funeral services were held at[ the ]United Brethren church at White[ Oak ]Thursday forenoon at 10:30 conducted by Rev. Peter Jacobs, pastor of [the ]Cambridge Union church. Fav[orite ]hymns of the deceased were sun[g by ]a quartet from Cambridge.

The body was laid too rest in[ the ]beautiful cemetery at Iowa Center.

SUBMITTER'S NOTE: This article ran off the page and those words in brackets are pure conjecture.