THERME, Jeanette: Born 1874

THERME, VANEL, BLACKLEDGE, RICE

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 4/2/2014 at 14:33:16

JEANNETTE THERME BURIED HERE FRIDAY.

Native of France Came to Farmington With Her Parents in 1874. Eighty-four Years Old.

Jeannnette Therme, daughter of Leon Louis Therme and Reine Vanel Therme was born in Veienne, France, on the historic river Rhone in the year 1846 on the fourteenth day of November, nearly eighty-four years ago.

She was the oldest of four children, Marie Louise, John Leon, Emile Charles. Emile was the only one of the family that was born in this country, his birthplace being Keokuk.

With her parents she came to American in 1855, landing at New Orleans. There the yellow fever was so prevalent, that the family came on to St. Louis, where they remained a year, coming on to Nauvoo where were many French Colonists known as the Icarian Colony. However this family never identified themselves with the Icarians. For five years they lived in Nauvoo; when they moved to Keokuk, where the father engaged in the shipping business, for years. In 1874 the family made another move and settled on a farm near Farmington. Here it was that the wife and mother of this French family passed away in the same year. In lifting a heavy bucket of water from a well, she lost her balance and was drowned. After this family tragedy, Jeannette became the head of the family, mothering the little Emile. When he heeded [sic?] her nor more, she went to Keokuk to make a home for and uncle, Constantine Therme.

Aunt Jane, as she was so affectionately known to her nieces and nephews, was a tireless worker, and always for others was she constantly doing. Friends she had in great numbers, all loyal, for that quality so paramount in aunt Jane's nature brought for the that same quality in others. Perhaps the high point in her life was the voyage back to that beloved France of hers, which she made in 1894 remaining several months, with relatives. She was justly proud of the name Therme, which dates back to 1482, founded during the reign of Francis I, when Paul Del La Barth Therme served as Mareschal of France.

When the uncle died, aunt Jane kept her home for many years, which home was synonymous with hospitality to all those who came. Her nieces and nephews delighted in her companionship, and it seemed fitting that it was at the home of a niece that she passed away. These last few months she had lived with Mrs. Florence Therme Blackledge, of Keosauqua, and it was a comforting ending to a long and useful life that she was surrounded by those most near and dear to her, her relatives. She was a wonderful woman to those who knew her intimately, a tireless worker, a loyal and loving friend and a cheery disposition.

The worthwhile qualities, she possessed them all, and with the thought of her comes the one thought, her happy and unselfish service for others.

Those who survived her and feel her loss most poignantly are her step-mother, Mrs. Nellie Rice Therme of Minneapolis, her brothers, John Therme of Keosauqua and Emile Therme of Mendota, Illinois, besides her nephews and nieces and many [remainder missing]

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, Page 126