Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, March 3, l904

Died, Feb. 28, l904, at her home in Leon, Iowa, MARTHA E. AVERY, wife of F.N. AVERY, deceased being 74 years, 8 months and 29 days of age.

The deceased was the eldest daughter of REV. B.O. SPRINGER and wife and was born in Schenectady, N.Y., May 29, l829. About l836 she moved with her parents to New Madison, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood, taught school a few years, and on March l5, l849, was married to F.N. AVERY, and in l859 moved with him to Leon, Iowa, which continued to be her home to the time of her decease. Their home was blessed with eight children who grew to manhood and womanhood. Four of these, MARY A. WHITE, ELLA A. KRAMER, D.F. AVERY and B.O. AVERY were with her during her last days. MRS. LENA HAMILTON, who is in Wyoming, and MRS. MILLIE MICKELSON, in California, were too far away to reach home in time.

At the age of seventeen MRS. AVERY united with the Presbyterian Church at New Madison, Ohio. In l866 she with several others, united in organizing the First Presbyterian Church in Leon, of which she continued an active and efficient member until death closed her labors.

As a wife and mother she was devoted and loving; as a friend, faithful, helpful and true; as a Christian, her character shone with that lustre which only a pure soul in communion with her Lord and Master can give. Her thoughts, words and example were always elevating and ennobling, and while she has been called from our midst, her influence is still with us to brighten and cheer, and to inspire to better purposes and nobler deeds.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
April l0, 2003