HENRY, Orra G.: 1815-1903

HENRY, GRAVES, MURPHY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/1/2013 at 18:50:12

ORRA G. HENRY
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Orra Graves was born April 11th, 1815 and died in Bentonsport Tuesday, Oct. 27, 1903.

She was the mother of 4 girls and 7 boys. Mr. Henry died 17 years ago. The last few months of her life were spent at the home of her son, Volney, in Milton, Iowa.

Hoping and trusting that the Lord would be merciful and allow her to fall asleep near where she wished to lie, she came to her daughters, Mrs. Murphy's, where she did indeed fall asleep never to awake here.

The following sketch was written by deceased, some four years ago and we copy it word for word, from the original manuscript:

Vernon, Iowa, April 19, 1899

I am 84 years of age at the time I write this, a short account of my past life.

I was the youngest, but one, of eleven children, and the only one now living.

I was raised to womanhood in the town of Ashfield, Franklin county, Mass. At the age of 19, I was married to Sylvester S. Henry of Brookfield, Orange county, Vt. I lived at the last named place four years when we in the year 1838, emigrated to Iowa, then a territory. We lived two years in Bentonsport, then selected a farm in Vernon township, where we have lived, with the exception of a few years in the town of Vernon, for 65 years.

I have been the mother of 11 children, five have passed to the silent beyond--unknown. My husband died 13 years ago in March last. I am waiting, waiting, for the same great change. Will we be united in that world after death. Such an assurance has never been to me revealed, it is all a mystery. Death has no terrors for me, it will be a happy release. When the burden of years and our faculties leave us it is time to go.

In my endeavor to fulfill life's duties, I hope my children realize that my interest was always for their happiness and instruction, and now my hope is you all may be blessed with a happy life and with its blessings needful. Good bye.

Orra Henry
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From an address by Rev. Chas Perkins.

The event has come to our sister which comes to all sooner or later. She has passed from the scene of her human activities. She has taken, at least, the first few steps into the immortal world, and her first lessons in the experience of that life in regard to which we are so reverently curious. She had lived a long and useful life here, and had faithfully done her part to make comfortable and happy the lives that came within her influence.

Her departure leaves grief and heavy heartedness. The children, the grandchildren, the friends of years are oppressed with sadness, as they reflect that one whose fidelity and affection were always to be counted upon has passed from their earthly sight to come back no more.

It is the case that when death removee(sp) the honored, the faithful, the generous, the affectionate, mourning inevitably follows. But I am not here to increase by word of mine, that woe which sits heavily enough already upon your hearts. My province is of quite another character. The Christian faith is meant to give cheer and not to deepen gloom. Its word is far more of life than of death. It indeed binds . . (remainder missing)

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 173, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA