Simpson, Mary A. (Rankin) 1840 – 1904

SIMPSON, RANKIN, WHEATON

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:46

Source: Decorah Republican Oct. 6, 1904 Page 6

BURIED A WEEK APART.
Mrs. James E. Simpson Lives but a few Days after Her Husband’s Death.
When Mr. Charles T. Simpson brought the remains of his father to Decorah for burial on Monday of last week, his mother was lying in a critical condition at the family home in Norfolk. Neb., from paralysis. It was considered that death might come at any time and before he left here a telegram came telling Mr. Simpson that his mother was sinking. Leaving here Wednesday noon he reached home Thursday. The death messenger came to her who had been a faithful wife and loving mother shortly after six o’clock Friday evening. Following is the account as given by the Norfolk News of last Saturday:—
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Simpson are again reunited, the wife having been called to join her husband at 6:03 last evening, death having separated the two loving souls but a week and a few hours. Col. Simpson passed away on Friday morning of last week at 3:30. The stroke of paralysis which resulted fatally for Mrs. Simpson, was undoubtedly brought on by long continued vigil at the bedside of her sick husband. Three weeks ago this morning her husband had a sinking spell and for a time it was thought he was gone. Then the heart of the brave woman gave away, her system collapsed and she fell under a stroke of paralysis. Later when she recovered consciousness she never gave up the idea that she had seen her husband die, and carried the belief with her to the end, although he actually did not pass away until nearly two weeks after she had suffered the stroke. For fifty hours previous to the end she lay in a stupor and quietly slept until she breathed no more.
Mary A. Rankin was born in Chicago in 1840, but she spent her girlhood days near Decorah, Iowa where she was married to Col. J. E. Simpson on July 7, 1860. They removed to Norfolk in 1887 and soon became identified with the life of the community. The son and daughter were with their mother when she died, Charles having returned Thursday from Decorah, Iowa, where he had been to lay his father to rest.
Funeral services were held at the house this morning at 10:30, conducted by Rev. J. J. Parker, who was obliged to leave for Plainview at noon, hence the service was held earlier than it would otherwise. Like her husband. Mrs. Simpson had expressed the wish that Mr. Parker should preach her funeral sermon.
Tolmorrow{sic} the remains will be taken by her son to Decorah to be placed in the same grave with those of her husband.
Mrs. Wheaton, the daughter, will remain in charge of the house, until her brother returns from his second sad mission to Iowa. While the family still lived at Decorah Mr. and Mrs. Simpson selected the spots where they wanted to be laid and there they will sleep, side by side, in the same grave, until the end of time.
Inseparable, in life, perhaps the wish of both has been carried out that they enter the great unknown together and that they may hand in hand fathom its mysteries.

Phelps Cemetery
 

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