Laura Abigail Thayer Messenger

FOSTER, MESSENGER, SPAULDING, THAYER, WHITNEY

Posted By: Gayle Van Dyke (email)
Date: 5/1/2014 at 00:12:21

Called to her reward

Grandma Messenger answers the final summons after a lingering illness

Laura A. Thayer, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, Dec. 27th, 1828 (parents: Lemuel Thayer Jr and Sarah Mariah Whitney ). In early life she came to know the pardoning and saving grace of God, and united with the church. She was joined in marriage to Wm. H. Messenger in the spring of 1854 (May 4, Morrow Co. Ohio), and came to Iowa, living for ten years on a farm in Iowa county, and thence in 1865 to Washington county, where she has since resided.

Mother Messenger with her husband associated herself with the Methodist church on coming to Iowa, and is one of the brave pioneers, who helped to lay the foundations of our Christian civilization in the central west.

Their marriage was blessed with five children: N. H. (Norton Henry), Mrs. Adah Foster, Mrs. Alice E. Spaulding, E. G. (Ellsworth Grant) and Eddie Forest, who died in early life. On May 11, 1889 her beloved husband and companion was taken by death, since which time her home has been with her oldest son, N.H. Messenger, of Wellman.

Some time ago, Mother Messenger suffered a stroke of paralysis, and gradually failed, notwithstanding all the loving attention given her, and passed to her heavenly rest on Friday morning, Aug. 16th, 1912, aged 83 years, 7 months and 19 days.

The funeral services were held at the M.E. church Saturday afternoon, at 2:30, conducted by Rev. Patterson. Interment at Wassonville cemetery.

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Card of Thanks.

We wish to sincerely express our thanks for the many kind deeds and words of sympathy during the sickness and burial of our dear mother.

The Children.