Mary (Lawrence) STAPLEY

STAPLEY, LAWRENCE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/2/2009 at 11:06:04

At her home in Belmond, Iowa, Dec. 31, 1894 of paralysis, Mrs. Mary Stapley, aged 89 years, 1 month and 15 days. Mary Lawrence was born in County of Kent, England in (16 November) 1805. In 1830 she married John Stapley of the same county. The first twenty-seven years of their married life was spent in England. In 1857 she, in company with her family immigrated to this country, settling in Carroll Co. IL near Fremont. In 1873 Mr. Stapley was killed by a falling timber while helping raise a barn, and from that time she lived with her son Henry, who took charge of the farm after the death of his father. In 1893, with her son she removed to Belmond, IA, where her death occurred. Mrs. Stapley was the mother of 15 children, of whom but three survive her; William of Marshalltown, IA, Frederick, who lives near Monticelli IL and Henry who resides at Belmond, IA. Besides her own large family she reared three grandchildren, for her son James. These were ever objects of her tenderest care and solicitude and repaid her by the deepest affection and filial love. Until her departure from Great Britain, Mrs. Stapley was a member of the established church of that country, but united here with the M.E. Church of which she continued a consistent member until death severed this tie as it does all others. "Aunt Mary" as she was known to her family and friends was a simple, kind woman to whom duty and religion were lamps whereby her feet were to be guided. Hatred, malice and their kindred passions had no place in her heart or life. Stern in her ideal of virtue and duty, she still as gentle in criticism and judged as she judged herself. Generous and forgiving, she bore with those who sinned against her and forgave them as she hoped to be forgiven. Her span of life stretched from the beginning of a century into its last decade. For 89 years she fought the good fight and kept the faith. With serene and perfect faith in her Savior, full of years and good works, she has gone to her reward.

Burial: Fairmont Cemetery Polo, Illinois