Elisabeth Woods 1813-1901

WOODS, MEEK, GLASSCO, EDMONDSON, DAVIS, DEHART, JOHNSON

Posted By: Volunteer - Barbara Evans
Date: 6/13/2013 at 09:29:46

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obit Book C, page 7, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA

[NOTE: Letters cut off on the right side of the column will be indicated by *]

Elisabeth Woods, of Harrisburg township, Van Buren county, Iowa departed this life on Tuesday, May 14, 1901, at 1 o’clock a.m., her 89th year. She was the conso* of the late Alexander H. Woods, who preceded her to the better life by some years, leaving her alone in the old homestead, which they together reclaimed from nature more than half a century ago, which is situated 1 ½ miles northeast of Bentonsport where she continued to reside to the time of her demise. She was the daughter of the late Judge William Meek, of Bonaparte, the progenit* of the Meek family of this county and the founder of the Meek factory and mills of Bonaparte. She was the oldest daughter and second child * a family of nine children, and the last one of the family to depart th* life. She was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 8, 1813, was 88 years, 1 month and 6 days old when death came. When sixteen years old she moved with her fathe* family from Ohio to St. Joseph county, Michigan, and there met Alexander H. Woods, to whom she was wedded in 1834. In 1837 the young couple sold their possessions * Michigan, and with the Meek family came to Iowa and settled in Van Buren county. Iowa was then a territory. They pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres and purchased eighty acres more, and built thereo* a log hut. To this nucleus, mo* acres were added until many hundreds of acres were included in the homestead. By diligence and economy, they were enabled to dispen* with the log hut after a few years and next a frame house took the hu* place, and afterwards the prese* commodious brick dwelling. To them were born eleven children two of whom died in infancy and nine grew to the estate of manhood and womanhood. Of these, two were boys, the remainder girls. Five * the number reside in this county three of whom are within a few miles of the old homestead. They are Robert M. Woods and Mrs. Henri*ta Leffler who reside in Vernon township, and Mrs. Ellen Glassco*, Mrs. Sarah L. Edmondson, Mrs. J*sie F. Davis who reside near the * home, and Mrs. Elisabeth DeHart, St. Louis county, Missouri. Willi* V., who has been managing * estate for his mother for the p* year, resides in Shasta county, California. The oldest daughter, Nan* A. Johnon, died in 1872, leaving six children, and Mary V. Woods died in 1883 after suffering many years from a painful rheumatic *fection. Thirty-two grandchildren and six great grandchildren survive, the most of whom were present at the funeral. Mrs. Woods had been an invalid for many years, being quite poorly before the demise of her husband, and since his death she had been confined at times to her bed for weeks. In March of this year the beginning of the end came, at first shadowy, but as the days passed into weeks, it became more marked, and after two months of illness the end came. She was ever patient and always kind to those around her. She was solicitious[sic] for the comfort of those who nursed her and would not permit anyone to sit up with her during the night, until it became an imperitive[sic] necessity. Only for a few hours was her mind beclouded during the last illness. After a life full of usefulness and industry she has been called to her reward. A faithful wife, a tender and loving mother, a kind and benevolent neighbor, a true and noble woman, one of the earliest pioneers of our county has passed to her eternal rest. The funeral took place from the home on Friday, May 17, 1901, Rev. G.W. Barber, of Drakeville, conducting the service.