Mrs. Mary A. Martin 1847-1938

ROWE, MARTIN

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 2/3/2017 at 04:35:44

Mrs. Mary A. Martin, a pioneer mother of Bonaparte, died Thursday, Nov. 24, 1938, at the advanced age of ninety years, eleven months and eight days.

Mary A. Rowe, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Rowe, was born mear Greensburg, Pa., Dec. 16. 1847 of a family of twelve children only one of whom. Ambrose Rowe of Oxford, Kansas, now survives.

The Rowe family moved from Pennsylvania to Keokuk, Iowa, when Mary was six years old. A few years later they located in Harrisburg township. Van Buren county, Iowa, where Mary grew to womanhood. In 1867 she was united marriage with B. F. Martin and they started housekeeping on what is now the B. R. Vale farm about half a mile north of Harrisburg church.

To this union four sons were bor George W. and Charles of Bonaparte, Alex of Detroit, Mich, and William who died May 2, 1982. For many years the Martin family lived in Bonaparte where Mr. Martin died 1922.

Mrs Martin united with the Presbyterian church of Bonaparte May 3, 1885, and was a devoted member, especially faithful in the work of the Ladies Aid so long as she was able to attend. She was also a charter member of the Bonaparte Chapter of the Royal Neighbors of America, and retained her membership all her life.

“Auntie Martin,” as she was lovingly called by her friends, has been failing in health for some time, and the end came on Thanksgiving mornng of 1938. Had she lived until Dec. 16 she would have been ninety-one years old.

She leaves to mourn their loss three sons, eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, one brother and several nieces and nephews,

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. L. E. Winfrey on Saturday afternoon at the Presbyterian church with interment in Vale cemetery.

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We desire to express our thanks and appreciation to the friends and neighbors for their kindness and sympathy in our bereavement. George Martin and Family.

Source: Bonaparte Record, Bonaparte, Van Buren County, IA