Eliza (Sells) Groseclose (1832-1906)

SELLS, GROSECLOSE, WARNER, CHAVANNES, MARTIN, SMITH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Representative May 30, 1906 (page 5)

OBITUARY

Mrs. John Groseclose.

Died at home near Cambridge, Iowa, Wednesday, May 23, 1906, at half past eleven o'clock, Mrs. Eliza Groseclose, aged 74 years, 1 month and 13 days. She was the daughter of William and Catherine Seld*, and was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, April 10, 1832. She was married to John Groseclose November 15, 1849, thus making over fifty-six years happy devoted companionship. Eight children were born to this union as follows: Mrs. Emma Warner of Maxwell, Harriett deceased in infancy, Mrs. Carrie Chavannes of Des Moines, and infant son deceased, Howard deceased April 29, 1882 at the age of 24 years, Mrs. Lou Martin of South Bend, Washington, Williams who lives on the homestead, and Mrs. Anna Smith of Cambridge. On November 15, 1899 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary when all the children and their families, twenty-three in number were present excepting one son-in-law, Herman Martin, and one grandson Adrian Chavannes. Since that time one grandson and daughter, and one great granddaughter have been born, making their posterity five living children, fifteen grand children and one great-grand child.

Mrs. Groseclose was converted at the age of fourteen at a camp-meeting, and united with the M. E. church, and lived a devoted christian life, and at the time of her decease was a member of Fair View M. E. church at Elwell. She with her husband and two young children emigrated to Story county, Iowa, during the fall of 1855, when Des Moines was but a village, Nevada had three houses and Cambridge was but a hamlet. The general appearance of the country was very uninviting to the pioneers who came here at that time, and hardships were many, yet she brought up her six children without murmuring about her privations. Her last illness was attended by most intense suffering, but the same strong patient spirit which characterized her life, and she often spoke of death, and signified her readiness to go when called. The funeral occurred from the church on Friday at two o'clock conducted by Rev. J. D. Sparks, pastor, who spoke from the words, chosen by deceased, "Come unto me and I will give you rest." A large concourse of friends followed the remains to Center Grove cemetery where they were tenderly laid to rest. The floral offerings were many, and the artistic manner in which the grave was lined and decorated was evidence of the high esteem in which she was held in the community. The pall-bearers were A. W. Bartlett, T. W. Larson, J. E. Jones, J. C. Warren, E. Holland and W. Scott.

*SUBMITTER'S NOTE: The parents of Eliza (Sells) Groseclose were William and Catherine Sells.