Mary Cresap Eason

CRESAP, EASON, SMITH, COOLIDGE, HENKLE, MEEK

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 2/24/2013 at 11:06:53

MARY CRESAP EASON.

At the age of 61 years called to a better land.

Mary A. Cresap was born Oct. 1, 1840, in Frostburg, Allegheny Co., Maryland. Her parents, Michael S. and Sarah A. Cresap removed with their family to Summerset [sic] Co., Pa., in 1813, and to Fayette Co., Pa. in 1851. They came to Iowa in 1856, where the subject of this sketch lived during the remainder of her life. March 22, 1866, she was married to Eli W. Eason. To them were born four children, but the father and two children crossed the river of death before the mother. A son and daughter, French L. and Clyde, remain to mourn their loss. Four sisters and three brothers, Mrs. Maria L. Smith of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Sarah V. Coolidge, Mrs. Laura I. Henkle, Mrs. Margaret C. Meek and Ross A. Cresap of Bonaparte, Geo. M. Cresap of Elizabethtown, Ky., and Wm. F. Cresap of Cooke, Montana, mourn the loss of a sister. For years Mr. and Mrs. Eason were the proprietors of a hotel in Bonaparte, and it is probably due to that fact that Mrs. Eason was so well known to every one in the community. Her friends were as many as her acquaintances, for to know her was to lover her. She possessed a cheerful, affectionate disposition, always creating a genial atmosphere about her. Her name was synonymous with generosity and charity, for her whole life was filled with acts of kindness, her constant thought being for others. Perhaps there is no family in Bonaparte but that at some time has been made happier by some kindly deed of Mrs. Eason's. She possessed the rare gift of being contented and happy. The secret of her beautiful life was in the fact, that her chiefest was in pleasing others.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church and lived a conscientious christian life. During her brief illness death had no terrors for her, for she considered death as only the gateway to heaven. In her last moments she seemed to see the everlasting home and pointed out the happy haven to the rest of those around her. She died at 6:18 P. M. Oct. 27, 1901. She is gone but the influence of her noble life can not be estimated.

The funeral services were held from her late home Thursday P. M., Rev. Duty of the Presbyterian church preaching the sermon. The large congregation of neighbors and friends shows to some extent the high regard in which Mrs. Eason was held by all who were fortunate enough to know her and is an outward expression of the sympathy to those in bereavement.

Source: Entler Scrapbooks, vol. 4, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA