SMALL, Martha (1834-1917)

SMALL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/21/2017 at 23:18:38

Martha Small
(October 18, 1834 – August 4, 1917)

Indianola Herald, Indianola, IA, Thurs., Aug 23, 1917, p.8, col.5
Mrs. Wm. Small
Martha Burton Small, daughter of Thos. and Mary Burton, was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1834, and died at her home three and one-half miles southeast of St. Charles, August 4, 1917, aged 82 years, 9 months and 16 days. She was one of a family of ten children, six sisters and three brothers, all of whom preceded her to the Great Beyond, except one brother and one sister, who resided in Pennsylvania. She was a baptized member of the United Presbyterian church in Lawrence County, Penn. In the early 70’s [1870’s] she united with the Methodist church at St. Charles under the pastorate of Rev. Hestwood. In later years old age and failing health prevented her attendance at religious services, but she still clung to the United Presbyterian faith of her girlhood. January 17th, 1854, she was united in marriage to Wm. Y. Small, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. This union was severed June 7th, 1908, by the death of the husband and father. They resided in Mercer County, Penn., until the spring of 1857, when they moved to the W. Y. Small farm, two miles north of St Charles, where they engaged in the milling business, operating a grist mill and a sawmill. They moved to their present home in 1888. The cabin, in which they resided, Mr. Small moved from the farm, two miles north of St. Charles, to its present location. Through all these years this cabin has been their peaceful home, except eighteen months, when Mrs. Small and her daughter, Ella, resided in St. Charles. It was Mrs. Small’s desire to close her eyes on the scenes of earth where she had lived and labored so long. To this union were born four children; a baby girl died in infancy; Sue B. Black died October 6th, 1909, and the two remaining daughters, Mary J. Snider and Ella M. Small, who so tenderly cared for her during her last illness, are left to mourn her loss. She also leaves nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and a guardian son, Harry Husted, of Manly, IA. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Small was always a haven of refuge for the homeless. They provided a home and loving care for seven fatherless boys.