Mrs. Rachel Brown 1811-1900

STEWART, BROWN, MOORE, WILSON, SINTON, HORNBY, WOOD

Posted By: Volunteer - Nancy Lowe
Date: 4/28/2003 at 19:58:33

Keosauqua Republican Thursday April 26 1900

On Thursday April 14 occurred the death of one of Bentonsport’s oldest citizens, and most respected residents, Mrs. Rachel Brown, widow of James A. Brown, who died here many years ago and was one of the most energetic and progressive men of his time. Mrs. Brown was in her 89th year and made her home with her daughter Mrs. George L. Moore. The funeral will be held and her remains interred in the Bentonsport Cemetery on Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Rev. McElhinney her pastor officiating. Mrs. Brown was one of the oldest residents of Bentonsport and was greatly beloved by every person who knew her. She had been failing health for several years past and at last passed away like a matured or well ripened fruit.

Keosauqua Republican Thurs May 3 1900

Mrs. Rachel Brown of Bentonsport died at the home of her daughter Mrs. George L. Moore, at half past one, Tuesday afternoon, 24 April 1900 at the advanced age of 89 years. Rachel Stewart was born in Westmoreland Co. Pennsylvania April 25 1811 and united in marriage to James A. Brown March 1833. They were among the earliest settlers of Van Buren Co., coming to Iowa in 1840 settling on Bear Creek near Vernon. Later they moved to Bentonsport which remained their home during the lifetime of each, where was reared a large family of nine children. Upon her own generation Mrs. Brown left a lasting impression and in her days of active usefulness she was a factor of strength in church work and religious activities, being one of the first of the little band of 11 members to help organize the Bentonsport Presbyterian Church, which was built in 1856. Added to the charm of personal loveliness, was the greater gift of a strong character and gentle manners. No one can measure the power of her well spent life, whose influence, like the ripples of the ocean stretches and widens on out into infinity. For 30 years her home has been with her daughter, Mrs. George L. Moore, who lives at the old family homestead. But her later life was saddened by the death of three daughters, Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Sinton of Keokuk and Mrs. Hornby of Logan, Iowa. Of the once large family there still survive, O.B. Brown of Washington, D.C.; Calvin of Toledo, Ohio: Clement of Nebraska; Allison Brown of Council Bluffs; Noah G. Brown and Mrs. Moore of Bentonsport. Grandma Brown’s most intimat(sic) friend and companion was her sister-in-law, Mrs. Mary S. Wood of Albia who is in her 90th year but accompanied by her daughter, Mrs. Easter, was present at the funeral. Services were held Thursday afternoon, April 26, and were conducted by Re. C. S. McElhinney of Fairfield. Dear Grandma Brown, peace to thy soul, sacred be thy memory. Generations of men may come and go, but thy good influence will flow on forever. Thy children shall rise and call thee blessed. And as thou sleepest beneath the “low green tent whose curtain never outward swings” may those who love thee best rejoice that after darkness cometh light.

[submitted by Chuck and Joy Hanson of the Mason House Inn, Bentonsport]