Mary Ellen Dorsey Simmons 1835 - 1907

SIMMONS, DORSEY, LINDSAY, MUNTZ, EDWARDS, MURPHY

Posted By: Rich Lowe (email)
Date: 9/27/2001 at 13:26:06

Obituary.

Mary Ellen Dorsey was born in Shelby County, Ohio, June 5, 1835, and was married to Michael Simmons at Sidney, Ohio, May 19, 1853. To this union was born thirteen children eleven of which are still living. William F. of Farmington, Sarah B. Linsey [Lindsay] of Lodi, Neb., Alonzo D. of Oklahoma City, Mary Francis deceased, Ida Jane of Oconto, Neb., Josephine Mutz {Muntz] near Mt. Sterling, Iowa, Eliza May Edwards, near Mt. Sterling, Iowa, Emma Alice deceased, Tury Ellen Murphy, Mulhall, Okla., John Waldo, Shawnee, Okla., Chas. Michael, Bonaparte, Iowa, Addie Nora and Clyde Granville, of Farmington, Iowa.

She came with her husband to Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1857, and settled on what is known as Vernon Prairie where they made their home until the year 1889 when they came to Farmington and have since resided here until the decease of sister Simmons March 21, 1907.

She was converted and united with the Methodist Church in the community where she settled. When coming to Iowa she united with the Baptist Church at Bonaparte, Iowa, but in later years when the Methodist Church organized in the community she returned to the church of her choice and has since remained a faithful member, holding her membership in the Farmington church when her death called her.

She was a faithful loving wife, a kind and sympathetic mother, a loyal member of the church and the worthy citizen of the common wealth. As the mother of so large a family of children she assumed a heavy responsibility in rearing, training and helping to mold the characters of her children a duty which she performed well as evidenced by the sons and daughters who are present to testify and which can be verified by those who were intimately associated with her in her life. Her faith in God was strong. She was helped by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in all her responsibilities and trials in life, and when she came to lay down her life she was ready to go and be at peace and rest with her Lord. She could say with Paul "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me."

Besides her children she leaves her aged husband and two brothers, thirty-five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Story Chapel, conducted by Rev. J. H. Taylor, who spoke from Luke II chapter 29, 30 and 31 verses. "Lord now lettest thy servant depart in peace according to thy word: For my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of the people," Following the preacher said. First, there is a fixed goal for every one in life. Our whole life leads up to this. When this is finished, we have a desire to depart and be with the Lord. In this text the prophet recognized that the child in his arms was the savior of the world. So must all who are saved come to such recognition. Those who have come to such recognition have no fear of death.

Secondly. The death of a good man or woman is comfortable, because he departs in peace. 1st. In peace with his God. 2nd. In peace with his conscious. 3rd. In peace with death.

Notice the ground for this comfort. It was because "Mine eyes have seen by salvation."

Such a view had the deceased. She realized Christ's power in life and that this power extended through the grave. She left sufficient evidence that she trusted Christ. She sent a message to her son in Oklahoma stating that she was ready to go. During her illness, she remarked that she was happy and that the gates of heaven was open and called the friends about the bed and asked them to meet her in heaven.

[I would like to hear from anyone with a connection to this family. - Rich]