Maggie A. Starr King (1854-1887)

KING, STARR

Posted By: Dennis and Gail Bell (email)
Date: 9/20/2005 at 23:16:35

KING, MAGGIE A. STARR (MRS. JAMES) (1854-1887)

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, 15 September 1887, page 1, column 4.
“OBITUARY – Mrs. Maggie A. King died at her home on Saturday morning last, aged 33 years 3 days. Mrs. King was the first woman who came to Maxwell to make her home her, coming in the early spring or ’82 from Jones county, when there was nothing here but the old Brubaker farm house. She was a perfect lady, full of ambition, and although extremely quiet and unassuming in manner and being an invalid for the last three years she had made a large acquaintance of admiring friends. She was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Starr, born in Rutland, Dane county, Wis., Sept 7th, 18854. She moved with her parents to Jones county, Iowa, where in 1878 she was married to James King. She leaves two children, a daughter Blanche, age 6, and little Ray, aged 3. Mrs. King will long be remembered, the earnest purpose, the quite disposition, the kind nature, the keen sense of honor and integrity were traits in her character that were too marked to be quickly forgotten. How patiently she bore her long suffering and how calmly and bravely she yielded to the inevitable, was the remark of all who saw her during her long illness and those who were with her in the last hour. She was a great sufferer and was aware, for a long time, that her end was near, yet she always received her friends with a patient smile and that calm serenity that must remain a lesson with us who grieve and chafe over the disappointments of the world. Let us cherish the memory of Mrs. King and study her character that we may hope to meet the griefs and disappointments of this life as bravely as she did hers. It will much satisfaction to her friends that she made known her wishes regarding her children and everything, even to her little souvenirs and keepsakes, in fact every thing that she cherished on this side of the river was arranged for, by herself, as far as could be done, even directing the arrangements of the funeral. Her wishes have been carried our, and will be, by loving hearts and willing hands. The services were held at the church on Sunday and she was followed to her last repose by a large concourse of sorrowing people. There is about death something so cold and cruel, something so utterly beyond our control that we feel like sinking into despair at its presence. But we have nothing to do with death, through life may nurture and cherish but death steps in and robs us of our care. The gardner goes forth among his roses and finds that the loveliest bloom is gone. With indignation and anguish he demands “who plucked this rose?” The attendant answers, “The Master,” and the gardener is satisfied.”

BURIAL: Iowa Historical Library, Des Moines, Iowa. STORY COUNTY, IOWA GRAVE MARKER INSCRIPTIONS Geneal. * F 627. S8 V. 1-6, pages 1-368, V. 7-11 pages 369-792, V. II pages 793-1128; Indian Creek Township, Inc. City of Maxwell, Maxwell Municipal Cemetery, page 467. SEC 2, ROW 4, LOTS 1-2. LOT 1: Maggie (KING); LOT 2: James M KING Dec 11 1852 – Aug 12 1910, Maggie A Sept 7 1854 – Sept 10 1887.