WATKINS, Amy: 188-1908

WATKINS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/19/2013 at 12:09:24

Amy, eldest child of David and Laura Watkins, was born south of Keosauqua, November 12, 1888; died at 1:45 o'clock on the morning of October 27, 1908, after a lingering illness of nearly two months with typhoid fever.

When she was three years old her parents moved to Keosauqua, and her home was here ever after. Here she grew up to sweet young womanhood, her affable disposition making her a favorite companion with her young associates. Here, too, she worked her way through the graded schools, graduating with honor in 1907. The class consisted of seven young ladies. The remaining six at the funeral as pallbearers, viz: Gretchen Duckworth Prall, Zella Ely, Julia Day, Ethel Hardin, Mabel Saunderson and Immogene Hanan.

Amy united with the M.E. church under the pastorate of Rev. H.A. Ingham. She was also an active worker in the Epworth League and the Sunday school, having held the position of librarian of the Sunday school for some years. She was also a member of the Young Ladies' Chorus of the M.E. church, and a member of the Degree of Honor. She had musical talent and from the time of her high school graduation until she was stricken with her last illness, she had been taking weekly lessons in piano culture at Ottumwa, and had taught some, herself, in this line. She was a young lady of refined taste, modest and bright, though unassuming. She took a prominent part in the society of young people, whre her presence and cheerful manners added to the pleasure of social functions.

Her father died in 1893, and during Amy's hours of delirium she frequently used his hame as though talking to him. Of her immediate family she leaves to mourn her untimely death her mother, brother Charlie and sister Bertha.

The funeral was held at the M.C. church here Wednesday, October 28, 1908, the services being in charge of the pastor Rev. G.W. Thorn, assisted by Eld. J.W. Moody. As a tribute to the deceased, school was adjourned in the afternoon on the day of the funeral, and the church was well filled. The beautiful white casket was a veritable bower of roses and carnations, the offerings of the Epworth League, Degree of Honor, a host of young lady and young gentlemne friends, and of relatives. The burial was in the Fellow cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 77, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA