Emma Stutsman

STUTSMAN, LEWIS, BLACKFORD

Posted By: Jean Wenke
Date: 1/25/2009 at 20:24:51

Emma Lewis, daughter of Rev. Hezekiah R. and Priscilla Hainline Lewis, was born at Cambridge, Ill., Jan. 24, 1850 and departed this life at her home in Bonaparte, Iowa, Sunday morning Feb. 2, 1947, having celebrated her ninety-seventh birthday anniversary just nine days preceding her death.

At the age of fifteen she came with her parents to Bentonsport, where her father was pastor of the Presbyterian church. In 1868 they moved to Bonaparte and on May 3 of that year Rev. Lewis organized the Presbyterian church in this town. Emma's musical education was well advanced before she left Illinois, and for a number of years she was the church organist. Hers was the second piano in town and as she was proficient in playing that instrument she soon began giving music lessons. This she continued to do, teaching music to private pupils in Bonaparte and surrounding community for sisty-five years. While still a resident of Bentonsport, she attended the Academy of learning at Birmingham, Iowa.

July 3, 1873, she was united in marriage with Dr. Daniel W. Stutsman, who had served as hospital steward in the Civil War, and had recently taken up the practice of medicine in Bonaparte. To this union four children were born, three daughters and one son; Xantippe, who survives her mother; Georgia, who lived to be five years old; Garfield who died at the age of six months and Adeline who died in infancy. The husband and father died July 27, 1890.

Mrs. Stutsman united with the Presbyterian church of Bonaparte May 3, 1885. Her most outstanding work in the church was her class of girls which she taught for a number of years, planning various pleasurable entertainments for them as well as faithfully teaching them each Sunday morning. Her girls will hold her in dearest memory. She had long been a member of Magnolia Chapter O.E.S., and it was her wish that they officiate at her last rites.

In 1901 Mrs. Stutsman built the spacious house that has meant so much to her during all the years since, and especially during the last decade when she seldom left her own comfortable home. Although she was confined through infirmities to the limits of her own residence for a long time, she was never lonely. She continued giving music lessons up to and including 1935. She was a great reader, and kept informed of passing events. Tatting was her favorite fancy work, which she was still nimbly occupied with this winter. She was one of six children. Two brothers, Ennis and Ed lived until 1938. Her father died at an advanced age in March, 1913.

Of her immediate family, besides several nieces and nephews, there are only two left to mourn, her daughter, Xantippe Blackford; and her granddaughter, Chaminade Blackford, on whom she bestowed the full meausre of affection, and in return received the devoted care due a beloved grandmother who, at ninety-seven, was still young at heart.

Funeral services were held at the home at 2:30 Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Ellis in charge, and the Eastern Star organization participating.