Holcomb, Mary (Smith) 1897 – 1815

HOLCOMB, SMITH

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:43

Source: Decorah Republican Mar. 25, 1897 P 8 C 2

Mrs. Mary Holcomb died Monday morning, March 22d, after a lingering illness, at the advanced age of 81 years 11 mo., and 8 days. Mary Smith was born in Virginia April 14th, 1815. In 1836 she was married to Samuel Holcomb. The first years of their married life were spent in their native state. Urged on by the tide of emigration they moved to Madison county, Ind., in the year 1848, where they lived until the fall of 1854, when they again took up their westward march and located in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on a tract of land adjoining the present site bf Castalia, where they lived for some years. Finally they moved into town and lived there to the time of their death, the husband having preceded his wife to the great beyond about twenty years. As a result of their union nine children, two boys and seven girls, blessed their home, four of whom, Mrs. E. S. Lambert and Mrs. D. F. Kittinger of this place, Mrs. Tucker, of Spring Valley, Minn., and Lewis, who is located somewhere on the coast, survive their parents. The daughters were all present at the funeral of their mother. Grandma Holcomb (for such she was familiarly known) at the time of her death had twenty-two grand children and forty- six great grand children. From early girlhood she was a consistant member of the M. E. church and in her declining years spent much of her lime in reading her bible, meditating upon its sacred passages and making many marginal references. Among the many slips containing short prayers was the following penned on the anniversary of her 80th birthday:—“Castalia, Iowa, April 14th, 1895. Eighty years old to-day. Dear Lord, take care of me and the children and the grand children and lead us in the way that is laid out for us; the way that leads to God and heaven and to glory.—Mary Holcomb."—thus showing her interest in the welfare of those near and dear to her by the ties of nature. The funeral was held from the U. B. church Tuesday, March 24th at 2:30 p. m. the Rev. Parkin, assisted by Rev. Harper, officiating.

Pleasant View Cemetery
 

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