Mrs. Martha J. Mudge (1853-1936)

MUDGE, PECK, STRESEN-REUTER

Posted By: John Evan Davis (email)
Date: 7/6/2013 at 18:21:55

Ottumwa Courier June 26, 1936
Mrs. Mudge, 83, Dies Thursday
Was One Of Last Pioneer Children Born In Vicinity; Funeral Services Are Saturday.
A long-time Wapello County resident, Mrs. Martha J. Mudge, 83, was one of the last pioneer children born in this vicinity and a resident of the County practically all of her life, died at her summer home, Oakwood, near Rutledge, Thursday at 9:15 PM. Over hundred years ago, Mrs. Mudge’s father, James M. Peck, came to Wapello County from Tennessee in an ox-drawn covered wagon. He took a grant from the government for the farm on which his daughter died Thursday. During that time the land has not been out of the family's possession. In a little log cabin on a farm, Mrs. Mudge was born, January 12, 1853, the daughter of James M. and Sarah E. Peck. She was married to Harry P. Mudge, a Civil War veteran who preceded her in death. With the exception of 25 years in Western Iowa. Mrs. Mudge has never lived any other place except the family homestead. She was a member the Presbyterian Church and was active in charitable work especially at the Y. W. C. A. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Sadie M. Stresen-Reuter of Chicago; and one son, John B. Mudge of Chicago; her daughter-in-law Mrs. George W. Mudge of Ottumwa; eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. One daughter, Laura; her husband, and one son George W., Preceded her in death. Funeral services will be held at 4 PM Saturday at the Lester Jay funeral home, conducted by the Rev. H. Sears Thomson, D. D. Burial be made the Ottumwa cemetery.