ANDERSON, Olive Jaqueit (WEST), 1854-1918

WEST, ANDERSON, BARKER, WOOD, SHEROD, STEPHEN

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 2/20/2013 at 12:45:29

Mrs. Josiah Anderson

Olive Jaqueit, fourth child of Andrew and Louise West, was born in Sandyville, Ohio March 11, 1854. When but a small child she removed with her parents to Canton, Ohio, where she attended school until the age of sixteen. It was during this period she formed the acquaintance of Wm. McKinley, our martyred president, whose sister, Miss McKinley was a teacher in the school attended by Miss West. Often Mr. McKinley called at the school for his sister and especially on rainy days, and the three, including Miss West, frequently walked home under the same umbrella.

In 1870 she again removed with her parents to Birmingham, Iowa, where she spent the remainder of her long and useful existence. On Feb. 11, 1882, she was united in marriage to Josiah Anderson at the above place. To this union was born four children, Charles H. Anderson, now of LaGrange, Mo., Mrs. Jno. W. Barker of Birmingham, Mrs. Elliott N. Wood, Ottumwa, and Clifton W. Anderson, now in the U.S. Army, stationed at Camp Lewis, Washington, who with her husband still survive. She also leaves to mourn her loss two sisters and three brothers: Mrs. Walker Sherod, Omaha, Nebr., Mrs. Charles R. Stephen, Ottawa, Canada, Andy and Elmer West, of Los Angeles, Cal., and Montgomery West, of Kansas City, Mo. Nine grandchildren also survive besides a host of relatives.

Brought up in the Methodist Church, and although not a close attendant in later life she was a Christian in spirit and died a firm believer in that faith.

Mrs. Anderson had been in failing health since last September, but was able to be up and around at intervals, but no serious thought was entertained by her loved ones that the end was so near. On Sunday May 19th, 1918, she was accompanying her daughter Mrs. E. N. Wood and family overland to the latter’s home in Ottumwa, but when a short distance on the way she was seized with a coughing spell and upon being returned home survived but a few minutes.

Thus closes the chapter in life of one who was a wife, kind, true and faithful, a loving mother and loyal to her friends. No more simple and beautiful tribute can be paid her than this.

‘Tis the twink of an eye.
‘Tis the draft of a breath,
From the blossom of health
To the paleness of death.
A flash of the lightning
A break of the wave,
One passes from life
To their rest in the grave.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book B, Page 292, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA