KETCHUM, Mary A.: Died 1901

KETCHUM, GRAHAM, LEACH, FOSNOT

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/22/2016 at 05:31:18

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Thurs. 14 March 1901

LOVED ONES GONE FROM US
Death Claims Several Prominent People the Past Week.
THE SUMMONS CAME FOR THEM TO GO.
The Grim Reaper Death Abroad In Our Land - The Serious illness of Some of Our Citizens - Other Matters of Interest.

**Handwritten: Mary A.

The funeral of Mrs. M.O. Ketchum, who died Sunday at about noon, was held from the family home at 2 o'clock of Tuesday, the services being in charge of Rev. C.E. Perkins of the Congregational church. Music was furnished by a choir composed of Messrs. W.B. Fleming, Oscar McCrary, Mary B. Miller and Maud Manning. The pallbearers were Judge Robert Sloan and Messrs. W.A. Roberts, S.D. Fellows, J.C. Calhoun, C.W. Casner and James McSurely.

There were many beautiful floral offerings, not only from friends in town but from others in Ottumwa, Mt. Zion, Keokuk and Memphis, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Leach of Memphis, Mo., the latter the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum, were present, as were also Mr. Geo. W. Graham of Keokuk, Mrs. Ketcham's only brother, with his daughter, Miss Anna Graham, Mrs. W.E. Fosnot, the only sister, is a resident of this city.

Mrs. Ketchum's illness did not take a serious turn until Saturday evening. But from that time, in spite of all that medical skill and the most careful nursing could do, she sank rapidly until the end came. In this connection Mr. Ketchum wishes to express his thankful appreciation of the kindness and helpfulness of many neighbors and friends.

The following is the address delivered at the funeral by Rev. C.E. Perkins:

Mary A. Graham was born Feb. 8, 1827, in Poland, Chautauqua county, New York, and passed to the higher life and world, March 10, 1901, being 74 years, 1 month and two days old at the time of her death.

In very early childhood she moved with her parents to Ashland, Ohio, where she lived until she was near 18 years of age. The family then removed to Plymouth in the same state, where she was married on May 16, 1848, to Milton O. Ketchum, who survives her. Six years later Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum came to Iowa, reaching Keosauqua, Dec, 5, 1854, which has been their home ever since, although during the intervening time they resided for brief periods at Birmingham, Vernon and Ottumwa. One child, Mary O. Ketchum, now Mrs. Leach of Memphis, Mo., was born of this marriage. The married life of Mr. and Mrs. Ketchum lacked a little more than two months of reaching fifty-three years. There seemed a fair prospect, until very shortly before her death, that it might add several years to their unusually long period of wedded companionship. A good woman has passed out of earthly fellowship. A true and faithful life has finished its career in this world. Mrs. Ketchum was one of that number, not small, thank God, whom Whittier had in mind when he wrote,

"The blessed Master none can doubt,
Revealed in holy lives"

**Handwritten: The complete address can be found in newspaper by Rev. C.E. Perkins.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 201, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA