Electa (Ward) Doolittle (1831-1922)

DOOLITTLE, WARD, CARLSON, BROWN

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 4/20/2020 at 16:13:56

From The Roland Record, Roland, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, September 7, 1922.

AGED PIONEER LAID TO REST

Former resident of Roland Passed Away at Home in Story City at Age of Ninety-One Years. Was Pioneer of Community.

Mrs. Electa Ward Doolittle was born March 24, 1831 at Newark, Ohio, and died at her home at Story City, Tuesday, August 29, 1922, being 91 years, 5 months and 5 days old at her death. She moved with her parents to Bellair, Crawford county, Ill., in 1842, and at that place was married to W. R. Doolittle on November 27, 1849. In 1856, they came overland in covered wagons reaching Story county on June 6th of that year. They selected a place south of Story City as their home where they suffered all the hardships of pioneer life and such as these, we of this generation are reaping the benefits.

Ten children were born to this couple, seven of whom survive. They are: R. L. Doolittle of Webster City, Ira, William and Douglas Doolittle of Story City, Mrs. Lillie Carlson of Rolfe, Mrs. Electa Brown and Miss Emma Doolittle of Story City. Her husband died in 1893. Besides the children she leaves 26 grand children, 34 great grand children and two great great grandchildren and a large circle of friends.

Mrs. Doolittle and her daughter, Emma, who has taken care of her mother for many years, moved to Roland about fifteen years ago and lived here until they moved to Story City about six years ago.

Funeral services were held from the home last Friday afternoon, Rev. Zastro of the Unitarian church at Boone preaching the funeral sermon after which interment took place in the Sheffield cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Boyd of this place sang at the funeral.