MASMAR, Sarah Elizabeth: Died 1937

MASMAR, MAY, BRADLEY, HARRIS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 5/5/2016 at 09:32:23

SARAH ELIZABETH MASMAR

Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Richard and Louisa May, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, Nov. 3, 1848, and passed away at her home in Farmington, Iowa, at 11 o'clock Thursday evening, March 11, 1937, at the age of 88 years, 4 months and 8 days.

On April 21, 1868, she was united in marriage with John Masmar, at Louisville, Ky. They lived in southern Indiana a short time, coming to Keokuk, Iowa, in 1871, where Mr. Masmar followed his trade as shoemaker. In 1873 the family moved to Williamstown, Mo., and there resided until 1897, coming to Farmington at that time.

This couple were blessed with three sons and three daughters, all of whom, except one survive. The children are: John Warfield of Walnut Creek, Calif., Louise Orphelia and Annie Bell, at home, Roy Augustus of Marshalltown, and Edgar L. of Clarinda. Mrs. Masmar's husband a veteran of the Civil war, preceded her in death July 21, 1908, and her mother, Louisa May, who spent her last years with the family, passed away January, 1911. A daughter, Lucie D. Bradley, passed away on July 29, 1913, leaving her young daughter, now Mrs. Edna Mae Harris, of Donnellson, who was adopted by her grandmother Masmar, and raised in her home as a daughter. Also surviving are four grandsons: David, Max, Gail and Elbert Masmar; and three great grandsons: Jan Alan Masmar, Guy II and Alan Harris.

Mrs. Masmar united with the Christian church in early childhood, and has been throughout her long and useful life, an exemplary Christian woman, a supporter of the church and its activities; a considerate, loving mother and a thoughtful and kind neighbor. When the Christian church disbanded in Farmington, she transferred her affiliation to the First Baptist church on June 26, 1909, and has been one of its most loyal members.

On Dec. 9th, last year, Mrs. Masmar had the unfortunate experience of fracturing her hip and was taken to a hospital in Keokuk, where she responded to treatment remarkably well, and was brought to her home about six weeks ago to recuperate. She had the determination to get well and was cheerful in the thought that she would soon be able to walk again, when a week ago she began to fail in health, her strength gradually ebbed away, and she passed to the Great Beyond peacefully on Thursday evening.

Members of her family and her neighbors were at her bedside or near at hand throughout her last illness, doing all in their power to make her last days among them comfortable.

The funeral was held on Saturday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m. in the First Baptist church, Farmington. The services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. M.R. Rogers, and assisted by a friend of her, Rev. John Leih, pastor of the Nazarene church. The message was, "The Precious Promise of His Presence, II Cor. 5:1. Scripture was read from Mrs. Masmar's Testament, that had formerly been her mother's Bible, and which is over 100 years old. Hymns were sung by Mrs. Harold Page, Miss Eleanor Lafollette, Robert Page, and Tom Lafollette. Burial was in the Farmington cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book F, Page 295, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA