REESMAN, Nancy Jane (CLIFFORD) 1842-1933

REESMAN, CLIFFORD, SLOAN

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 3/24/2014 at 11:39:33

MRS. NAN REESMAN BURIED SUNDAY
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Grand Old Woman, Nearly Ninety-one Years Old,
Answers Final Call Last Friday

Farmington has lost a lot of splendid men and women in the past few years, and again has been called upon to mourn the passing of one of the few remaining representatives of an earlier period of the town’s life – a period which gave to the community sterling qualities of character, and raised it to a higher level.

Nancy Jane Reesman died at her home Friday morning, April 28, 1933, at the age of nearly 91 years. She was the daughter of Ephraim Clifford of Vermont, and Amanda Sloan of North Carolina, and was born at Fairview, Indiana June 26, 1842.

In her life was blended the virtues of the eastern father and the graces of her southern mother.

She came to Iowa with her parents in 1854, coming directly to Farmington. Her father built the house now owned by August Schreiver, a mile west of town. There were twelve children in the home.

In 1867 at the age of twenty-four years, she married to Joseph T. Reesman at Primrose. They remained there during the early years of their married life, then came to Farmington, where Mr. Reesman was associated with his brother-in-law, Arthur M. Clifford in the old flour mill opposite the J. W. Miller store. The mill was then a two story building. Later he became an employee of the C. B. & Q. Railroad. Their marriage was most happy. An intimate friend once remarked that she like to hear Mr. Reesman address his wife. He called her “Nannie” and always pronounced the name with an inflection of endearment.

Mr. and Mrs. Reesman belonged to the Christian church until it closed, when both were affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School, and was a teacher of a class of young ladies. Mr. Reesman died in 1903.

Mrs. Reesman was a charter member of Mizpah Chapter, No. 24, O. E. S., and held a number of offices in the chapter, including that of Worthy Matron. In those early days the social life of the chapter was pronounced, and she was one of that happy group of delectable cook who worked together so many years. Since her retirement to quiet days, she had never lost interest in her loved order,, but kept in touch with its growth, its activities, and with the members. Even to the last she accounted it a privilege to serve on a committee as a paying member, although unable to attend. Her death leaves but one charter member in Farmington – Mrs. George Neff. The other remaining one is Mrs. Kate Perry, now living in San Diego, California.

Notwithstanding Mrs. Reesman’s advanced years, her mind was wonderful and her memory marvelous. In her conversation she was pleasing and interesting. Looking backward through the long years which time had lent her, the vista of memory were, pleasant, and only pleasant words came from her lips. In her manner she was serene and gracious and carried herself with unconscious dignity. She was never in public life, but was a retiring gentlewoman.

Farmington people will hold in glad memory the fact that upon the occasion of Mrs. Reesman’s last birthday, a reception was given in her honor. Through it all, she stood serenely happy, greeting friends, neighbors and her sisters and brothers of the Eastern Star without a flutter or nervousness of excitement.

Her life is ended, but the fineness of her spirit has left an impress on those in her circle. Her going marks distinctly the parting of the ways between the old and the new life of Farmington.

She is survived by two brothers, Will Clifford of Sheridan, Wyoming, and John Clifford of Fort Worth, Texas, and a number of nieces and nephews beside a host of friends, all of whom mourn the passing of the gentle-souled woman.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. Rev. Harvey E. Butler, pastor, used the twelfth chapter of Ecclesiastes for his sermon. The choir sang “Rock of Ages”, “Going Down the Valley” and “Asleep in Jesus.” The Eastern Stars attended in a body, and the funeral rites of the Order were performed by officers assembled around the casket in the church. The pallbearers were Frank Kessler, J. S. Forgrave, H. W. Jones, H. E. Folker, Wm. Lerche and L. E. Buckles.

The body was tenderly laid to rest beside her husband in the Farmington cemetery.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, page 119