Cora Brown McDonald 1857-1933

BROWN, MCDONALD, ALSTON, EVERETT

Posted By: Volunteer - Nancy Lowe
Date: 4/28/2003 at 20:33:08

Cora Lutitia Brown was born Nov. 8, 1857, in Bentonsport, and passed from this life August 18, 1933, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ottumwa, aged 75 years, 9 months and 10 days. She was the eldest daughter of Noah G. and Lutitua Alston Brown, pioneer residents of Bentonsport. Two brothers preceded her in death, Ja--- at the age of four, and Elbert N. about 1919.

When 16 months old she found herself en route by ox team to the gold fields of California and returned to Bentonsport when 8 years old, at the close of the Civil War. She loved to tell her grandchildren of the trip home by water and seeing her first railroad train on the Isthmus of Panama. Cora finished her education at the Bentonsport Academy and grew to womanhood in Bentonsport. Her father, Noah G. Brown, was Rock Island station agent for 25 years.

On Feb. 6, 1882, she was united in marriage to Archibal McDonald of Bonaparte. Mr. McDonald was County Supt. of Schools for two terms. To this union three children were born, Brown Archibald, Gertrude Alston and Martha Everett the later dying in infancy.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McDonald made their home in Bonaparte where Mr. McDonald was associated with Mr. Chrin? in the mercantile business under the firm name of Christy and McDonald. Later he was in partnership with Mr. Elmer Meek and continued so until his death Dec. 6, 1909.

She was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. She became a member of that church at Bentonsport, transferring her membership to Bonaparte in January of 1903.

She was a charter member of Magnolia Chapter No. 276, O.E.S., and was their worthy matron under dispensation, later being elected to fill that position in the authorized chapter with Mr. A.W. Packer as her Worthy Patron. She filled many offices in the chapter room………..

Her father died August 19, 1903. Following her husband’s death she returned to Bentonsport where she tenderly cared for her mother during an invalidism of years, and where she rendered the same helpful, sympathetic care that characterized her entire life. Following her mother’s death she secured a position at Des Moines in the capacity of night matron at the Methodist Nursing Home and was associated for several years with the Busin- Women’s Home. She spent the past winter in the home of her son, Brown at Ft. Dodge. Her home since March 12 has been made with her daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Tade, and family by whom she was devoted, loved and from which she was taken to the hospital where she died.

Surviving her with those who mourn are one sister, Mrs. Harriet R. Greef of Los Angeles, one son, Brown A of Ft. Dodge, one daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Tade of Hillsboro, also five grandchildren……..

During her later years and since the organization of the Bentonsport Homecoming it has been her pleasant privilege to meet the friends of her youth in happy reunions at the old Mason Tavern. Gathering there with Calvin Brown, with whom she was a great favorite, Mrs. Rachel Booth, Mrs. Mary Margaret Easter and many others. They would relive the old days and together visit what to them were sacred shrines of youth. Her absence on Thursday, August 1—at the Memorial service to honor her beloved uncle Calvin, Fred C. Trigg, Edward R. Mason and others at the old Presbyterian Church and which was attended by relatives of Mrs. McDonald, brought a more acute note of sadness. Her passing came in the early hours of the dawn, closing a most beautiful life with the promise of the breaking of a perfect day at Home.

Funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon at the Bonaparte Presbyterian Church, The pastor Rev. D.D. Flanagan officiating….. Interment in the Bonaparte cemetery.

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