NEFF, Lucinda 1837-1919

NEFF, MAYFIELD, CALVERT, BREWSTER, SCOTT, ENDERWEISEN, STORY, FLUCKEY

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 3/17/2014 at 10:45:42

NEFF

Lucinda Neff, daughter of George and Elizabeth Neff was born in Palestine, Pickaway county, Ohio, January 26, 1837; died in Farmington, Iowa, September 3, 1919, aged 82 years, 7 months and 1 days(sic). She was the oldest of a family of six children, and the first to be called to the great beyond. The remaining sisters are Mrs. Maggie Mayfield and Mrs. Mary Jane Calvert of Clark county, Mo., Malinda Brewster of Farmington, Iowa, Mrs. Thom. Scott of Pittsburg, Kans., and one brother, Dr. C. R. Neff of Farmington, Iowa.

She was married to Geo. W. Neff in 1853. To this union five children were born, viz: Geo. T. of Revere, John E., residing on the home farm, Wm. J. of Lazara, Colo., Mrs. Frank Enderweisen of this vicinity, and Mrs. Delbert Story of Farmington, Iowa, at whose home she passed away.

She and her husband emigrated to Missouri in the fall of 1855 and lived here continuously ever since, except a short interval in the early sixties when they returned to Ohio, only to come back to make their home in north Clark county. Her husband, Geo. W. Neff, preceded her in death April 11, 1885.

She united with the congregational church at a meeting conducted by Rev. Wiggins in the fall of 1885, and has ever remained faithful and steadfast in her belief in the saving power of the blood of Jesus and a permanent home over there.

Besides the relatives above mentioned she leaves two grandchildren, J. C. Story and Mrs. Nora Neff Fluckey; and four great-grandchildren, also a large number of minor relatives and hosts of friends to mourn their loss.

“Aunt Duck,” as she was commonly called, was of pioneer stock. She has done her part in transforming wilderness into itsp0resent prosperous condition. In her early womanhood she and her husband endured all the hardships incident to pioneer life. Deer, wild turkey and small game roamed the woods in abundance, and her husband’s rifle and skill furnished meat for the table. Corn bread and wheat flour, the grain of which had been drawn many miles over roads almost impassable, constituted the supply of the housewife’s larder. It was in the home of the pioneer’s housewife that her skill was fully developed. The writer has on many occasions enjoyed the hospitality of the family table of the deceased, and the hearty welcome was only surpassed by the culinary skill of the hostess. No person ever left “Aunt Duck’s” door hungry or cold. She lived to make others happy, and derived great pleasure in doing good. Kindness to all and love to her fellow beings were her predominant traits of character, and she cultivated them in all the walks of life.

After the death of her husband in 1885 she continued to live on the farm with her children and cared for the family, all of whom married and went to homes of their own except John E., who stayed with his mother, and in every way possible ministered to her comfort. About 18 months ago her health being poor, she was removed to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Delbert Story of Farmington, Iowa, where spent the remainder of her earthly career. Carefully nursed and provided for by an affectionate family and aided by her sisters and brother, Dr. C. R. Neff, of whom it may be said he never slept until he knew she was comfortable as it was possible for her to be.

She has gone. She will be missed in the family circle, in the home and in the community. But the impress made by the character of “Aunt Duck” to do good, will be handed down to generations yet unborn.

Interment in Acasto cemetery September 6, 1919. Funeral conducted by Rev. McKernan of Farmington, Ia.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, page 97