Elizabeth Leffler 1840-1910

LEFFLER, PERKINS, STORY, MORRIS

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 6/28/2014 at 06:29:42

Miss Elizabeth Leffler was born on the old Leffler homestead in Harrisburg township, Van Buren county, Iowa, May 16, 1840, and died at the John Story home in Vernon township August 30, 1910, aged 70 years, 3 months and 14 days. The funeral was held Thursday, Sept 1, at 10 A. M. at the Story chapel, Rev. Hanson of Bonaparte officiating, and the body was laid to rest in the Bentonsport cemetery beside those of her father, mother, and sister, Mrs. Julia Perkins.

She was the oldest child of Monsult and Irene Leffler and had five brothers and three sisters who grew to manhood and womanhood. Her youngest brother, George, died of tuberculosis in California at the home of his brother, Dr. John Leffler of Oakland, in 1880. She accompanied him to that sunny state hoping the mild climate would restore him to his former health, but they met disappointment. Jacob, the oldest of the brothers, died in 1906, and her sister, Mrs. Julia Perkins, in 1908. While Miss Leffler was absent in California her mother died in 1881 and when Miss Leffler returned to the old home she found it desolated by the loss of mother.

She and her sister, Julia kept house for their aged father and cared for and smoothed his declining years until he too was called away at a ripe old age. After the father’s death the sisters occupied the old home and carried on farming, dairying and poultry raising. Julia, after a time was married to Steve Perkins who assisted them in operating the farm until 1908, when Mrs. Perkins died and the home was broken up.

After the death of her sister, Julia, she made her home with her brothers and sisters who reside in this county and with her sister-in-law, Mrs. Henrietta Leffler. Some twelve years ago she had a very severe attack of acute articular rheumatism which has afflicted her ever since and was the final cause of her death.

Several years ago Miss Leffler became converted and united with the United Brethren church of which she was a faithful and consistent member until that organization disbanded in her neighborhood. She remained a firm believer in Christianity.

She leaves three brothers, Dr. John Leffler of California, and James and Andrew, both well known and prominent farmers of this county; and two sisters, Mrs. Linda Story of Vernon township, and Mrs. Mary Morris, wife of Edmon Morris of Washington township.

Her life is ended the her sufferings are over. She was certainly one of God’s noble women who made this world better by having lived in it. Ever unselfish and self-sacrificing she passed the most of her life helping others. Until her health failed her she never failed to respond to calls for help in sickness and sorrow whether from relative or neighbor. She will be greatly missed in her little world and a remembrance of her many kind acts and sterling worth will live long in the hearts of all who knew her.

Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA