ELY, Ida Josephine: Died 1915

ELY, STEDMAN, SMITH, ELLIOTT

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/1/2016 at 04:25:33

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Sat. 3 April 1915

DEATH OF MRS. ELY OF HARRISBURG TWP.

A Noble Wife and Mother Gone To Her Reward in the Home Beyong.

Mrs. Ida J. Ely, wife of B.F. Ely, residing southeast of Utica, died Monday, March 23. Some account of Mrs. Ely's last illness was given in the Democrat's Stockport correspondence of last week. The Ely family, Frank of Utica, Albert of Lick Creek, and Robert of Mt. Pleasant, are among the best known and highly respected people in the county, as were their estimable parents before them. Mr. Ely and family will have the sincerest sympathy of many friends in their great bereavement.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Ida Josephine Stedman, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. V.P. Stedman, was born in Knox county, Ill., March 12, 1864, and departed this life at her home near Stockport, Ia., on March 23, 1915, at the age of 51 years and 11 days.

She was married to B.F. Ely on March 26, 1884 just 31 years ago today. To this union were born seven children, Julia Mae Smith of Stockport, Ia., Lester Franklin of Grand Forks, N.D. Zella Maude Elliott of Monrovia, Calif., Donovan Stedman, Josephine Katherine, Harry William and Charles Justin, who are yet at home.

In early childhood she became a member of the Baptist church at her home in Illinois. When she married and came to Iowa, she united with Utica Methodist Episcopal church of which her husband was a member and has always lived a consistent Christian life. She was always glad to do all she could for her Sunday school and church, and the Bible saying is true of her, "She hath done what she could," and she too like Paul could say: "for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

She is survived by her husband, one brother, L.P. Stedman of La Monte, Mo., seven children, five grand children, and by many friends, for to know her was to love her.

"Thro all pains, at time she'd smile
A smile of heavenly birth;
And when the angels called her home,
She smiled farewell to earth.
Heaven retaineth now our treasure,
Earth, the lonely casket keeps;
And the sunbeams love to linger
Where our sainted mother sleeps."

The funeral services were held at the M.E. church Friday, March 25, 1915, conducted by the pastor, Rev. J.W. Stine. Interment was in the Dibble cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 190, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA