Bertha Mahala (McCammon) James (1863-1921)

MCCAMMON, JAMES

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/16/2024 at 21:58:43

From Story City Harald February 21, 1921 (page 4)

IN MEMORIUM

A Tribute to the Life of Mrs. Carson James
(By Carson James)

"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."--St. John 14:27.

I do not recall anyone who exceeded the subject of this sketch in reflecting with greater fidelity the spirit of cheer and the rejection of fear as embodied in the above quotation from the Savior of the world. And certainly no quality of heart is more indispensable to human achievement and happiness than courage.

I head this sketch and tribute by the above quotation and the comment that follows with a view of emphasizing the quality so notable in her nature and which enabled her to stem the waves in her voyage of live.

Bertha Mahala and Jennie A. McCammon, twin sisters, were born in Cedarville, Illinois, April 1, 1863. While still in infancy the latter became ill and died, her death occurring on the eighth of July 1863. The father and mother were Mr. and Mrs. Alexander McCammon, who in early day initiated the Evangelical church movement in this community and who will be remembered by many of the early residents of Story City.

During the early years of her childhood, Bertha attended the public school in Cedarville being a school mat of Miss Jane Adams who is famous for her charitable deeds and progressive sentiments. At the age of nine years the former came with her parents to Story county, locating on a farm near Center school house, Lafayette township; later she came with them to Story City where, with the exception of a few years, she resided until her death, February 13, 1921.

She assumed the duties of life at an early age, the assistance of a frail mother being among the first to call for her care and attention. Under the skilled instruction of Miss Maria Olson (who later became Mrs. Nels Jacobs) she acquired a knowledge of millinery and dressmaking and rather dexterously applied these arts for a number of years.

In the little home on East Avenue our marriage was solemnized on the eleventh day of Mary, 1895, in the presence of her father, two of her brothers and Miss Sarah Tenold, a milliner of Story City. Rev. J. Wirth, pastor of the Evangelical church officiated.

With the exception of a few years spent on the farm in the north part of town, our home was continuously in its present location.

Four children were born to us, namely, Stanton, Raphael, William and Elmer. These have all been spared and have now assumed the responsibilities and oversight of the household, and are certainly efficient and dutiful and faithful in their efforts to perpetuate the elements of cheer and love exercised by the kind wife and mother, under the guidance of God.

During life her invincible courage and faith kept the lamp of hope burning and it most assuredly now becomes the duty of us who survive to live worthy of her memory-- memory that will --------- benediction shedding ---- --- ----- ---- of inspiration through the coming years.