FULTON, Martha

FULTON, GORDON, SMITH

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/11/2013 at 15:06:13

Martha Gordon Fulton.

Silently the angel of death entered the home of W.H. Fulton, Tuesday, Feb. 27, claiming "Martha," the wife, the brightest jewel in the circlet of home treasures at the age of 33 years, 5 months and 17 days.

She was united in marriage to W.H. Fulton of Valley Junction, formerly of Bentonsport, August 30, 1904, who with the widowed mother, two sisters, Mrs. Maggie Smith of Des Moines and Miss Sadie, with brothers Andrew and William of Valley Junction and James of Council Bluffs, besides other relatives and innumerable friends mourn the loss of the dear one.

She was a devoted Christian and well prepared for the summons which called her from her earthly home to her home in Heaven. She united with the Methodist church early in life while living at Stuart, Iowa, where she remained a faithful member until their removal to Valley Junction, when her membership was transfered to the church in which she so zealously labored for her Master and where she met her now bereaved companion. Her life here is well known both in the religious and social world. She was a faithful worker in the League, Sabbath school and Junior League.

Her one thought in life was to make others happy, and during her long illness she manifested great patience. If she suffered during her last moments her loved ones knew it not for she seemed to pass from this life without a struggle, her death being sympbolic of the peaceful life she had lived.

While her death was somewhat expected it came as a great shock to the entire community, a personal grief to many homes so often cheered by her bright smile and labor of love. Mr. Fulton had recently erected and furnished a lovely home on 8th street, little realizing that in a few months death would take away the one who alone could make the home bright and cheerful.

While we wonder why such a useful life should be stricken we feel that God knows best and our loss is Heaven's gain.

Funeral services were held from the First M.E. church of Valley Junction Thursday, March 1, conducted by her pastor, Rev. Thornbrue assisted by Rev. McCrae of the Chrisitan church, the useful life of the deceased forming a theme for the beautiful eulogy delivered.

A mixed quartet from the M.E. choir of which the deceased was a member, with Miss Bessie Dayton as organist, sang favorite selections chosen by the family.

The order of Railway Car men with whom Mr. Fulton is associated in work attended in a body, acting as escort and honorary pall bearers, and her Sabbith School class of little girls were seated around the casket of their beloved teacher. At the conclusion of the service the remains were conveyed to Woodland cemetery at Des Moines Iowa, and laid to rest.

A profusion of beautiful floral tributes, mute expressions of love and sympathy, were placed around the chancel rail at the church, among the emblems being a sheaf of pure white carnations from Mrs. Fulton's Sabbath school class, a cross from the Epworth League, beautiful pieces from the M.E. Aid Society and Sunday School, easel from Rebekah Lodge No. 81 of which Mrs. Fulton was a worthy member, a shaft of Easter lilies from teachers of public school, pink carnations from pupils of Miss Gordon's room in Longfellow school, pillow of white hyacinths from family circle, piece from Mrs. J.W.Wood, Mrs. Geo. Crane, and Miss Bessie Dayton, and one of unusual beauty from the order of Railway Car Men representing "Evening" a crescent and star.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogcial Society Obituary Book C, Page 54, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA