Eliza Story Fitzgerald ~ 1839-1919

FITZGERALD, STORY, ROBB, HEATH, CACKLEY

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 2/4/2002 at 10:16:22

Eliza Story Fitzgerald

Mrs. John W. Fitzgerald, who died at her home in Bonaparte at 11:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 22, would have attained her eighty-first birthday had she lived until January 7, 1920. Dec. 20, just past, she and her husband completed their sixty-third year of married life; all these years with the exception of a sojourn of eighteen months in Sullivan County, Mo., and a trip of four months in 1905 to Oregon and Yellowstone Park, she has spent in this county.

Eliza Ann Story, daughter of William and Mary Story, was born in Des Moines township, Van Buren Co., Iowa, January 7, 1839. She was united in marriage with John W. Fitzgerald Dec. 7, 1856, in Vernon Twp., at the old Story home, where H.A. Chipman now lives. They went to housekeeping two miles south and one half mile west of her parents’ home. In 1860 they moved to Sullivan Co., Mo., but in a year and a half returned to Vernon Prairie. Twenty-four years ago last October they moved to Bonaparte, which has since been their home.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald: Delbert J. of Vernon Prairie, and Mrs. Celia Robb who lives with her parents. Of the immediate relatives who are left to mourn are the husband and son and daughter, and two grandchildren, Anna Robb of Des Moines and Ray C. Fitzgerald of Oskaloosa; also one great grandson, Floyd Fitzgerald. Mrs. Fitzgerald also has three brothers and one sister living: John Story of Vernon Prairie; Frank Story of Farmington and Thomas Story of Memphis, Mo. The sister, Mrs. Amanda Heath of Mountain View, Mo., has been with her for several months, and with the husband and son and daughter were at the bedside when the end came.

Mrs. Fitzgerald had been confined to her bed for several months, and had been gradually growing weaker until Saturday night when she became unconscious and did not rally.

Noma Cackley, whom they had received into their home and who had lived with them until her death, is buried in the Thompson cemetery. Interment made by the side of the niece.

Mrs. Fitzgerald was a kind and helpful neighbor, a loving wife and mother. Her memory will always be linked with home, in the making of which she found her greatest happiness.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist church on Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Coppoc officiating. Interment in the Thompson cemetery.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings