STONG, Mrs. Cynthia A.: Died 1921

STONG, RAMSAY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 4/20/2016 at 19:54:28

Obituary of Mrs. C.A. Stong

Mrs. Cynthia A. Stong was born in Indiana, March 5, 1844, and died at the home of her son B.J. Stong in Keosauqua, Nov. 13, 1921, at the age of 77 years, 8 months and 8 days. She came with her parents to Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1854, settling near Philadelphia (now Kilbourne). She was married to Jacob Stong, March 29, 1863, and moved into the house in which she lived until a few days before her death. She was the mother of eight children, four girls and four boys. Three of her girls have passed on before her. One girl and four boys are still living and were with her during her illness.

She was converted in a meeting held in the Kilbourne schoolhouse by Rev. Jones in 1888 and the next winter had the satisfaction of seeing her sister, Mrs. Ramsay, her daughter Jennie and her husband Jacob, converted in a meeting held by the same man in the then new Kilbourne church. A very cordial friendship grew up between Rev. Jones and the Stong family, which increased as years have come and gone, It hardly seems possible, but her life covers nearly all the history of our county. The Indians were still here when she came and she remembered clearly when they left for the west. Her life covers nearly all the advancement the human race has made in four thousand years. When she was born the coal-oil lamp had not come into use and the light in the home was either a candle or a grease lamp.

McCormick had not made a reaper and grain was cut with a sickle or cradle. John Deere had not invented the steel plow and plowing was either done with wooden mould board or a cast iron plow. The telephone and the automobile were not thought of. Jacob Stong started out as a cabinet maker and by strict economy and hard work on the part of both of them succeeded getting together fifty dollars, when after careful consideration, whether they would use it in continuing the cabinet making business at Kilbourne or start to store with it.

It was finally decided to start a store at Kilbourne. The store proved a great success and at the time of his death Mr. Stong owned a store and Kilbourne and one at Pittsburg, the two presumably carrying a stock of eight or ten thousand dollars, which was considered a large store at that time. Mr. and Mrs. Stong were respected by all who knew them and are the kind of people which form the basis of morality and civilization. The funeral was held in Kilbourne church and conducted by Rev. Jones. Burial was in the Kilbourne cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book F, Page 283, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA