LIPPENCOTT, Mrs. Sally: 1836-1901

LIPPENCOTT, DAVIS, CHENEY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/29/2013 at 07:25:03

Sally Ann Davis was born in Madison county, Kentucky, May 27, 1836, and passed from this life Dec. 4, 1901, at the age of 65 years, 6 months and 7 days. She was one of a family of seven children, five of whom survive her. The only sister, Martha, preceded her to the other world. Of the five brothers Charles and Lewis are residents of this county; Moses lives in Davis county, near Eldon; Joseph, in California, and Alexander, in Oklahoma.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis came to Iowa from Kentucky in November, 1836, bringing with them their infant daughter. They were among the very earliest settlers of this county, and Mrs. Lippencott was the youngest person among those who came here in that early time, being less than six months of age when whe made the long horseback journey, in the arms of her father and mother. The parental home was made in Vernon township, where the children grew up and where, Jan. 29, 1857, Sally was married to Allen G. Lippencott. The marriage was blessed by two daughters: Sally who died in 1888, and May, wife of W.C. Cheney, who survives her mother.

Mr. and Mrs. Lippencott removed from their home in Henry township to Keosauqua, in 1892, where they have ever since resided. Mrs. Lippencott became a member of the Congregational church, March 3, 1889. She was also a member of the Rebecca lodge. Two weeks ago last Saturday night she was seized with a violent illness, and barely survived the night. Since then she seemed better at times, but her family and friends realized that she was a very sick woman, and that her recovery was at least very doubtful. She passed away quietly and suddenly away at a little before eleven o'clock Wednesday evening.

Since her early infancy a resident of this county, our friend and sister was known to a wide circle of acquaintances, and respected and loved by her very many friends. She was a friend maker by temperament, and a friend-keeper. Her kindly, cordial, sympathetic disposition won people to her, and her virtues and excellences held them, once they had been won. The wide-spread interest in her condition since her illlnese(sp), has shown in what sincere esteem she was held by all who knew her, and the fatal termination of her illness has been followed by common expressions of real and deep grief. There is literally nothing said of her except in praise, and nothing else to be said.

As daughter, as sister, as wife, as mother, as friend she fulfilled her part in life lovingly, industriously, cheerfully, thoroughly. However and where she touched life she left and impression and influence for good. She was sunny-hearted, pleasant faced, cheerful-voiced. Her presence was like the sunshine. Comfort and pleasantness came with her. Hopeful herself, she made it easy and natural for others to be hopeful when she approached.

She wished well to everybody, and followed good wishes with deeds. She was a cheerful Christian. Her kind heart felt the hard things with which life is so filled, and her ready sympathies responded to life's sorrows, but she knew that after all, there is a great fund of comforting and even happy things in this world, and by looking on the bright side herself, she helped others to realize that there is a bright side. Then she believed most undoubtingly in the benevolent God, and trusted Him to soothe all afflictions and to set right, at least, all things that are wrong.

Aside from her own home-circles, Mrs. Lippencott will be nowhere more greatly missed or grieved for than by her fellow members of the church. The church meant a great deal to her, and she was certainly of great service to the church. It was her religious home, and she contributed to give it a home atmosphere for us all. So constant was she at all the gatherings, either for worship or for social purposes, that her absence was always noted. I do not know how we shall ever learn to feel that the church is quite the same, now that she is gone. And yet I know that if a word could come from her risen spirit, she would bid us not be down-cast but to go no in hope and trust doing our appointed work in the faith of the encompassing and most gracious God.

From the beginning of her sickness Mrs. Lippencott had little or no expectation of getting well. She seemed to feel that her case was mortal. She dwelt, therefore, during those days of pain and weakness as one whose journey is very near its end. But aside from her loving desire to live for those who could so ill spare her, the feeling of the approach of death brought her no anxiety. I shall not forget the thoughts that were in her mnd, on the night she was taken ill, "I didn't expect to live until morning," were her words, "but I didn't have any anxiety." And then after a pause she added: "Well, I've a good many friends on the other side. It's pleasant to think of meeting them, too."

REV. CHAS. E. PERKINS.

[The funeral was held from the family home in Keosauqua, at 2 o'clock, p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, 1901, secvices(sp) conducted by her pastor, Rev. Chas. E. Perkins. The floral offerings were beautiful and the number of friends and relatives . . . (my copy smeared)]

**Handwritten: Fellows Cem. by the side of ???

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 166, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA