McCRARY, Mrs. Karen: Died 1902

MCCRARY, LEACH, HAMILTON, THATCHER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 9/23/2016 at 09:14:58

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Thurs. 22 May 1902

MORTUARY RECORD.
Death of Mrs. Karen McCrary - Was Last of Charter Members of Christian Church.

Mrs. Karen McCrary, whose illness with dropsy had been so protracted, expired Tuesday evening, aged 81 years. Mrs. McCrary was the widow of Major M.C. McCrary, who died June 25, 1892.

Mrs. Karen Leach McCrary was born Dec. 15, 1820, in Manongahela county, Pa. In the spring of 1830 she came with her mother's family to this county, where she ever after resided. She was the youngest of seven children, four sons and three daughters.

She was 18 years old past when she arrived here, and on the 15th of the following August she was united in marriage to Mr. J.C. McCrary, who had come with his father's family to the county two years previously. Six children were born to them, four sons and two daughters, but only three are now living, - Mrs. Hamilton of Spearfish, S.D., Mrs. Thatcher of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Mr. Oscar McCrary of this place. The young couple moved at once to Mr. McCrary's claim, about two miles south of Keosauqua, which he had preempted in the winter of 1836-7, and lived on the same farm until they retired from active life and come to this place. Mr. McCrary was sheriff of the county and successively lieutenant, captain and major of the 3d Iowa cavalry, and in the absence of the colonel and lieutenant colonel, was for several months in command of the regiment.

Major McCrary's father was a minister in the Christian church, as was also one of his brothers, the late A.H. McCrary. When the Christian church of this place was established the charter members were the families of A.H. McCrary, Major McCrary, David Thompson, Ralph Peterson and A.W. Mangum. The church was organized in 1843, on Mr. A.G. Lippincott's place in a building that was situated between the Lippincott residence and the river. The society afterwards held services in a brick school house in South Keosauqua, and built a church there in 1866, which it used until the church was erected at this place. The subject of this sketch united with the church at its organization in 1843, and was the last surviving charter member.

Mrs. McCrary was a truly noble and good woman - one of the best type of the pioneer mother. The funeral was held at the Christian church at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon. It was conducted by Elder Johnson, assisted by Revs. C.E. Perkins and W.J. Jeffrey, Jr. The pall bearers were Messrs. Geo. W. Davison, S.D. Fellows, H.H. Disbrow, W.H. Roberts, W.J. Strickling and J.F. Daughrity. The honorary by Revs. C.E. Perkins and W.J. Jeffrey, Jr. The pall bearers were Messrs. - Geo. W. Davison, S.D. Fellows, H.H. Disbrow, W.H. Roberts, W.J. Strickling and J.F. Daughrity. The honorary pall bearers were Mesdames J.W. Burns, Edwin Manning, Robt. Sloan, Geo. W. Davidson, Wm. Rinabarger and S.D. Fellows. The interment was at the Fellows cemetery.

(Note: Transcribed as published.)

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 205, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA