NELSON, Harriet Kathryn (WORKMAN), 1871-1924

NELSON, WORKMAN, HATHAWAY, TOPPING

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 12/1/2012 at 14:41:57

MRS. WILLIAM E. NELSON

Harriet Kathryn Workman was born December 23rd, 1871, near Mt. Zion, Iowa, and departed this life in the Kahler Hospital at Rochester, Minnesota, on August 2nd, 1924 at 8:05 p.m., aged fifty-two years, seven months and ten days.

She was the daughter of John and Harriet Hathaway Workman and one of a family of twelve children. The parents came from Virginia to Van Buren County in pioneer days and settled on a farm near Mt. Zion. After completing her education, she was a successful teacher in the public schools for a number of years.

She was united in marriage to William E. Nelson on April 23d, 1894, and they located on a farm near Birmingham, where she has since resided.

To this union were born five children.

She is survived by her husband and children---Hugh R. of Los Angeles, California; Vera Nelle of Davenport, Iowa; Mary Ruth, Seth W. and John W., at home, all of whom are present; also one sister and three brothers: Mrs. Hugh Topping of Birmingham, James Workman of Boston, Mass., John Workman of Clarinda, Iowa, and George Workman of Mt. Zion, Iowa. These together with a great number of relatives and friends are left to mourn the loss of a loving wife, faithful mother and true friend.

Mrs. Nelson made public profession of her faith in Christ early in life joining the church of her father and mother in childhood, and in later years, the United Presbyterian church, of which she and her family were members when the congregation was disorganized. She then joined the Presbyterian church of Birmingham of which she was a member at the time of her death. She was deeply interested in the work of the church, and was willing to do, in her own humble way, whatever might advance the Kingdom of her Lord and Master.

Here was a life of beauty of spirit undimmed by thought of self. She gave in full measure of a strength and love and devotion purely unselfish.

“I cannot say, and I will not say
That she is dead---She is just away!
With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand
She has wandered into an unknown land.
And left us dreading how very fair
It needs must be, since she lingered there.
And you---O you, who the wildest yearn
For the old time step and the glad return---
Think of her faring on, as dear
In the love of There as the love of Here;
Think of her still as the same I say
She is not dead---she is just away.”

The funeral service was held at the Presbyterian church on Thursday afternoon August 7 at 2 0’clock in charge of the pastor, Rev. J. L. Coleman, assisted by Rev. Hoffman of Keota, Iowa, and Rev. L. V. Nash of this place.
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We wish to thank the many kind friends who assisted in and gave freely of their sympathy during the last illness and passing beyond of our beloved wife and mother. We are also grateful to those who furnished the music at the funeral and those who gave flowers.
W. E. Nelson and Family

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book B, page 22, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA