Laura A. Lanam Died 1892

LANAM

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 2/11/2021 at 22:10:08

Sioux Valley News
Correctionville, Iowa
4 February 1892

On Saturday, Jan. 30, 1892, came the sad announcement that Laura Lanam had succumbed at last to the physical affliction that had for months been preying upon her, and at the hour of 6:00 a.m., her youthful spirit took its flight, returning to the God who gave it.

Laura A. Lanam, only daughter of Francis M. and E. P. Lanam, was born in Lebanon, VanBuren county, Iowa. At the age of five years she' came with her parents to Correctionville, where the remainder of her life was spent. When but seven years of age she united with the M. E. church. Her earliest work in the cause of Christianity was as a member of the little "Band of Hope," later she joined the Epworth League and was also a Good Templar. During the closing year her of her life she enjoyed the richest blessings of her Christian effort, and when the end came she said to her weeping friends ''It is all right."

Laura passed through all the grades of our public school, and was of the first class to graduate and the first her classmates to finish her course on earth. School teaching was her chosen vocation, and having prepared herself she entered at once upon the work. Twelve terms were successfully taught and she had entered upon another year at Sergeants Bluff, when her rapidly declining health forbade continuing. Resigning her position she returned to her home July 2d. That dread disease, consumption, had fastened its hold upon her and "slowly her life tide ebbed away," but she was ever patient suffering. Day after day her many friends gathered at her bedside endeavoring to lighten the affliction and assist the fond parents and brothers in their untiring efforts to alleviate her suffering. Through the years to come they will ever bear in greatful remembrance and appreciation, the sympathy and assistance rendered them and their beloved one in their hours of trail.

The last sad services were held Sunday afternoon in the M. E. church. After a scripture lesson the sacred hymn, "Bereavement and Resignation" was touchingly rendered. In fulfillment of Laura's expressed wish when still with us, Mrs. O. A. Cate sang feelingly the beautiful solo, "Softly the Daylight Faded." In her bible was found pencilled lines where she had enclosed the words, "I will not leave comfortless; I will come to you," St. John, 14-18. Taking these words for his text, Rey. J. W. Lothian preached a consoling sermon. A last look was then taken by some seven hundred people who had assembled to pay last rites of respect to the departed one. Very peacefully she rested in beautiful casket covered with a vast profusion of floral offerings, testifying to the esteem in which she was held. Six young ladies, very dear friends, who had been found almost constantly at Laura's bedside, acted as honorary pall-bearers, as if unwilling to end their labors of love.

Now there is a vacant chair, sorrowing hearts, and yet joy in the assurance that although

"This loved one, this dear one,
Can no more come to me,
Yet nearer draws the numbered hour
When I shall go to thee.

And thou perchance with scraph smile,
And golden harp in hand,
May'st come the first to welcome us
To our Immanuel Land,

beyond the river."