Orpha F. (Stanard) Bonney 1822-1906

STANARD, BONNEY, BALDWIN, STIDGER, LINSLEY, WALKER

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 10/2/2001 at 01:36:01

A PIONEER MOTHER GONE

Orpha F. Stanard was born at Newport, N. H., Sept. 16, 1822, and died in Keosauqua, Iowa, Dec. 5, 1906, at the ripe age of 84 yrs., 2 months and 19 days.

In 1836 her father moved with his large family to what was then the far "West", making the journey by wagon, and experiencing many hardships on the way. They lived for one year in Illinois, then came to Iowa, where they settled at the town of Rochester, three miles below Keosauqua. They found much to discourage them in the new country, fever, ague, uncomfortable and crowded quarters, often ten or more in a one-room log house, and they longed for their comfortable New England home.

At the age of 18, Orpha Stanard was married to Josiah H. Bonney and moved to Keosauqua. For 46 years they were happy together, blessed with a family of seven daughters and one son. Two of the children died in infancy, and nineteen years ago Capt. Bonney passed away. Mrs. Bonney lived on in the old home, and was hapily [sic] situated in having her children near her in recent years, and took great pleasure in the family gatherings on anniversaries and holidays, but, the last three and a half years has seen one after another pass away. In 1903 Mrs. Arma Baldwin was taken. In 1904 the eldest daughter, Mrs. Mary B. Stidger, and in 1905, the only son, Charles Hinman--and now in 1906 the mother has gone to join the dear ones gone before. She lived to see all her brothers and sisters pass on before her to the other world. There remain three daughters, Mrs. Anna B. Linsley, Miss Orpha Bonney and Mrs. W. M. Walker, all of Keosauqua; eight grand-children and four great grand-children.

Patience, quietness, devotion to her family, bravery, and contentment were her characteristics. She bore her sorrows with uncomplaining patience, as she had the hardships of her early days. To the last she was busy, active and useful; in perfect possession of her faculties, and came to her grave in "full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season". Her life work is ended, she rests from her labors, and "her children rise up and call her blessed".

Funeral services conducted by Rev. P. H. Hawk, were held at the home Friday afternoon, and the body was laid to rest beside her husband in the Oak Lawn cemetery.

(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 20 of Obit Book A found in the Van Buren County, IA Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in October 1999. Name and date of newspaper not given.) ORIGINAL POST 02 Nov 1999.

I am NOT related to this person and am posting this obit for those who may find him/her in their family history.