Celene Husband Laughery (1844-1920)

LAUGHERY, HUSBAND, LIGGETT, WELLS, ROBISON, WHITNEY, MINGLE

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/12/2005 at 11:01:11

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, February 5, 1920, page 1. "Mrs. A. Laughery Gone To Her Final Rest - Passes Away at Home of Her Daughter, Mrs. E. H. Whitney, In Canton, Illinois. Mrs. Alexander Laughery, a pioneer resident of this community, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. E. H. Whitney, in Canton, Ill., Wednesday January 28th, after a brief illness. Deceased had been in poor health for some time, and upon taking cold, pneumonia developed and the end came after but a day's illness. With the passing of Mrs. Laughery another of Maxwell's old-time residents is added to the roll of the departed and one identified with the civic, social and domestic life of the town and community has gone to her reward. In the year 1889 Mrs. Laughery was appointed postmistress of the Maxwell post office, under the administration of President Harrison, succeeding Daniel Ruth, and remaining in the office as deputy under her successors, Thos. Smeltzer and Geo. Hardenbrook, serving altogether about fourteen years. Shortly after the death of her husband, which occurred last April, she went to the home of her daughter in Illinois, where she has since resided. Celene Husband, second child and only daughter of Philip and Magdalene Husband, was born November 4, 1844, in Somerset county, Penn., and died January 28, 1920, being seventy-five years, two months and twenty-four days old at her death. She received an excellent education and became a school teacher quite young and for several years was engaged in this profession. She was united in marriage to Samuel Shepherd and to this union was born one son, L. R. Shepherd. This happy home was broken up by the death of Mr. Shepherd in the fourth year of its existence. Mrs. Shepherd then re-entered the teachers' profession, which she followed for two years when she was united in marriage to Alexander Laughery April 2, 1868. In the spring of 1870 they, with Mrs. Laughery's parents and only brother, Alfred Husband, and family, came to Iowa and settled on the farm in Polk county, near Mitchellville. Mr. Laughery departed this life April 22, 1919, at his home in Maxwell. Five daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Laughery, namely: Nellie Liggett, who died at the Methodist hospital, Des Moines, August 11, 1918; Maggie Wells, of Perry; Mary Robison, of Nevada; Fannie Whitney, of Canton, Ill., and Edyth Mingle, who with her mother has been at the Whitney home for the winter in Canton, Ill. Fourteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren are left to mourn the loss of a loving grandmother. Mrs. Laughery was converted at an early age and united with the Church of Christ, the church of her people. She was a most devoted Christian woman, patient and never tiring in the service of her family and all who came into her home. She has entered into the reward that awaits such lives as hers and may the blessed Heavenly Father comfort the bereaved children. "Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me. And may there be no moaning at the bar When I put out to sea. But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep, Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark, and may there no sadness of farewell when I embark. For tho' from out our bourne of time and place, the flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face, When I have crossed the bar." The body was brought to Maxwell, accompanied by Mrs. Mingle and Mr. Whitney, Mrs. Whitney being detained at home by sickness in the family. Mrs. Maggie Wells and Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Robison were also present at the funeral, but Mr. Shepherd being in California it was impossible for him to get her in time for the services which were held Saturday afternoon, at the Church of Christ, conducted by the pastor, W. Edward Purdy. Appropriate hymns were rendered by a choir of eight, with Mrs. Mabel Robertson at the piano. The pall bearers were George Rupp, Wm. Richardson, J. D. Miller, C. I. Kirk, Guy Robertson and Frank Boitnott. The body was laid to rest in the Maxwell Cemetery."