FULTON, Catherine Oller: Died 1903

MARLEY, FULTON, DUNCAN, LITER, SUTHERLAND

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/17/2016 at 11:14:23

**Handwritten: April 1903

Mrs. Fulton.

Mrs. Catherine Oiler Marley was born in Berkley county, Va., Sept. 21, 1817. While quite young her parents moved to Ohio, near the city of Columbus. Here amid the experiences of frontier life were developed those elements of strength, fortitude, loyalty and patient endurance which characterized her whole life.

The Marley family originally came from Ireland and were Roman Catholics, but learned a purer, simpler gospel from the pioneer Methodist preachers of Ohio. Her uncle, the late Rev. Michael Marley, D.D., of the Ohio conserence(conference), contributed not a little toward molding the state. Rev. J.F. Marley holds a first place as a minister and author in the Ohio conference.

She was married to James Fulton in April, 1835, and moved to Iowa in 1850, settling first at Fairfield and coming to Bentonsport the fall of the same year. Her husband was employed by George and James Green in the manufrcture(sp) of paper. There in that little city she spent the greater part of her life. There were given full play the graces which adorn and dignify Christian character. Her home was always open to the Methodist itinerant; her heart always responded in sympathy for the suffering and helpfulness for the needy. She was a good, neighbor, a good wife and a good mother. She was a good counsellor and faithful friend. She made many warm friends and no enemies. She loved the good, the beautiful and the true. She hated only meanness and sin.

Her husband died March 12, 1865. Her children, all but the two youngest, having married and made homes of their own, she found it best to close her own home and reside with her children, every one af(of) whom called her blessed. She died at Keokuk at the home of her daughter on April 8, after a lingering illness. Her remains were brought to Bentonsport for burial in accordance with her oft expressed desire to be placed beside her husband and so many of her friends and neighbors.

She is survived by six children, Henry Fulton of Bentonsport, William Fulton of Greenville, Texas, Geo. M. Fulton of Roodhouse, Ill., Mrs. Kate Duncan of Hale, Iowa, Mrs. Caroline Liter of Loxley, Ala., and Mrs. E.F. Sutherland of Keokuk, one brother, Geo. W. Marley of Parsons, Kan, 27 grand children and 47 grand children. Surely she did not live in vain.

Her religious life was not noisy or demonstrative, but full of good works. Her last testimony was that her work was done. She had no fear of death. She was ready to go.

To her children she has given a legacy of priceless value in the influence of a beautiful life, the outward reflection of the goodness and purity of heart which endeared her to her home circle and her countless friends.

The funeral occurred from the Presbyterian church Friday p.m., Rev. Lathan Ingham of the First M.E. church, Keokuk, officiating, assisted by Rev. Harvey E. Butler of the Bentonsport M.E. church, with which church she held a life membership. The Presbyterian choir rendered in an impressive manner favorite hymns of the deceased. The casket was covered with beautiful floral tributes, - a sheaf of wheat from the First M.E. church, Keokuk, Calla Easter lilies from the Semple family and relatives at Keokuk, Calla lilies from Miss Anna Rigler, and from all the grand children an anchor of hot house flowers with the word, "Grandma," in purple immortalles. Members of the funeral party were Rev. L. Ingham and Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland of Keokuk, George Fulton, Roodhouse, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Semple and daughter, Dallas City, Ill., James Sutherland of Pontiac, Ill., William and Hazel Fulton, Valley Junction, Iowa, Samuel and Emma Beer of Bonaparte, Mrs. Frank Simmons of Farmington.

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Thurs. 16 April 1903

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 197, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA