SOMMERVILLE, Elizabeth

SOMMERVILLE, ELLIOTT, BOGGS, HARLAN, BURNS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/19/2016 at 23:53:46

-Mrs. Elizabeth Sommerville died on the evening of March the 6th at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.H. Elliott, of Ottumwa, Iowa. Mrs. Sommerville was born near Springfield, Ohio, September 26th, 1834. When eight years of age she removed with her parents to Iowa, settling near Keosauqua where she was married in 1855 to Alexander Burns. To this union seven children were born, one dying in infancy. The remaining six were present at her bedside when the last summons came. They are Mrs. Maite E. Boggs of Independence, Kansas; Mrs. Jennie Harlan, Mrs. W.H. Elliott and Miss Elizabeth Burns of Ottumwa; E.M. Burns of Mason City and Warren A. Burns of St. Paul. In 1868 the family moved from Keosauqua to Ottumwa, and lived there until Mr. Burns' death, April 19, 1873. In 1881 Mrs. Burns married Capt. G.W. Sommerville and shortly after removed to Keosauqua, and after a residence of a few years the family again removed to Ottumwa where she resided up to the time of her death. Five years ago she was stricken with rheumatism and was confined to her bed a great portion of the time thereafter, her suffering during a part of the time being almost unbearable. The immediate cause of her death was dysentery. Mrs. Sommerville united with the Methodist church when thirteen years of age, and always lived a consistent christian life. She was conscious up to a few moments before her death and although suffering intense pain she passed away peacefully with unshaken faith in her God. The funeral was held at the home of Mrs. W.H. Elliott on McLean St., and was conducted by Rev. I.P. Teter, of New Sharon and Rev. L.F. Berry pastor of the First Congregational church of Ottumwa. The interment was made in the Ottumwa cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 255, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA