Mary Jane (Wellington) Blakeslee Valentine (1837-1914)

WELLINGTON, BLAKESLEE, VALENTINE, DARROW, WIER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/2/2024 at 13:45:55

From Story City Herald April 16, 1914 (page 5)

OBITUARY.

Mrs. Mary Jane Valentine

Mrs. Mary Jane Valentine (nee Blakeslee) died at her home in Union, Hardin county, Iowa, Friday, April 17, 1914, being at the time of her death 76 years, 6 mos., and 20 days old.

Mary Jane Wellington, oldest daughter and second of nine children born to Franklin B. and Mary Ann Wellington, was born in Owasco, Cayuga county, New York, Sept. 27, 1837. On March 9, 1855, she was married to Jared Blakeslee at Fairdle, N. Y. To this union two children were born namely, Mrs. Hettie J. Foley, now of Chicago, and Cartwright B., who died at the age of 18 months.

Her early married life was spent in New York. She lived there, performing the duties of the home until the year 1878. At this time Mr. Blakeslee's health gave out and they came to Story City to see if a change would not improve his health and at the same time pay a visit to Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Wier, the latter of whom is a sister of the deceased.

After remaining in Story City for about six months Mr. and Mrs. Blakeslee returned to their home in Fairdale, N. Y., the sister, Mrs. Wier, accompanying them for a visit. Mr. Blakeslee conducted a small store at Fairdale until in February, 1880, when he finally closed out his business in New York and moved to Story City, Mrs. Blakeslee and her daughter and family following him in July of the same year. Here Mr. and Mrs. Blakeslee bought the lots and built the home now owned and occupied by Ole Swenson. Mr. Blakeslee's health again gave out and he died on March 4th, 1893.

From this time on she remained a widow, till April 17, 1900, when she married, in Story City, D. S. Valentine of Union. The marriage was performed by Rev. D. Lang of the Evangelical church. They lived together just fourteen years, death calling her home on the anniversary of their marriage.

Mrs. Valentine was reared a Methodist Protestant and remained in the church until her removal to Story City, where she joined the Evangelical church, as did also her father and mother, who lived the last days of their life in Story City.

After her marriage to Mr. Valentine she took her letter from the Evangelical church (Rev. McKay, pastor) and joined the M. E. church in Union, where she and her husband have affiliated ever since.

The remains were brought to Story City by rail Sunday evening and the funeral was held Monday forenoon at 11 o'clock in the Evangelical church. Her pastor, Rev. Chas. A. Gilbert, officiated, assisted by the local pastor, Rev. C. D. Wendel.

Mrs. Valentine is survived by her husband, daughter (Mrs. Foley of Chicago), grand-son, Boyd Darrow of Nashville, Tenn., who visited her a few days before her death; by two brothers, Rev. W. H. Wellington of Otisco, N. Y., and a sister, Mrs. W. A. Wier, also of this place.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: D. S. Valentine, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Valentine and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Caruthers of Union; Mrs. Henry Foley of Chicago; Mrs. W. A. Devendorf and son Edwin of Des Moines, and Mr. and Mrs. Leo Devendorf of Knoxville.