Iowa
Old Press
Oskaloosa Herald
Oskaloosa, Mahaska co. Iowa
October, 1925
Mrs. W. T. TANDY
Mary Jane Baston (sic - Boston), daughter of William and Sarah
Baston, was born in Marion County, Illinois, near the town of
Carlyle, February 19, 1846, and died at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. Jessie T. Williams, 644 North B Street, Oskaloosa, Iowa,
October 28, 1925, at 6:35 p.m., with intestinal flu and heart
failure, age 79 years, 8 months and 11 days. The Baston family
came to Iowa in 1846 and made entry of land upon which is now
located the Mahaska County Home. Title to this section was not
clear, however, Mr. Baston took another location which later
became the Fullerton Schee farm in Scott Township. The trip was
made from the old home when Mrs. Tandy was only six years (sic -
months) old. The family came through in the covered wagon,
typical of the pioneer movement of that early time and the Des
Moines Valley trail was followed. When the town of Oskaloosa was
reached, the pioneers found only a collection of log cabins. Mrs.
Tandy spent the greater part of her life within a few miles of
the town of Tracy. Mrs. Tandy had been a sufferer for a number of
years with angina pectoris which caused untold suffering. At
times it seemed that life was gone and then she would rally and
regain strength; thus she bravely faced her pathway of life. The
husband, W.T. Tandy, preceded her in death December 10, 1916.
Mary Jane Baston was united in marriage to W.T. Tandy, March 28,
1866. To this union were born three children, A.B. of Cedar, W.T.
Jr. of Leighton, and Mrs. Jessie T. Williams of Oskaloosa. There
are nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, one sister
and a number of other relatives. When but a young mother, Mrs.
Tandy was converted at a Baptist revival held at the Else school
house. Later she and her husband became members of the German
Reformed Church of Leighton and were among the leading workers in
the church for a number of years. In 1899, she with her husband,
had their membership transferred to the Friends Meeting,
Oskaloosa, and she has bee n a consistent member ever since;
always faithful to attend her Sunday school class and services
for worship until the past year when her health failed and she
became a "shut-in." The radio brought her the Gospel
message every Sabbath which she enjoyed much. Mrs. Tandy was an
enthusiastic member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union,
always interested in all its activities. Funeral service was held
at the Friends' Church in Oskaloosa Saturday, October 28, 1925,
at 10:30 o'clock a.m. with the Rev. Charles O. Whitely
officiating and Miss Cassa Conover assisting. Special music was
rendered by Mrs. Stranahan, Mrs. Whitely, Mrs. McCracken and Miss
Cora Mattison. Members of the Sunday school class to which
deceased was a member attended in a body, as did also the local
W.C.T.U. Interment was made in the Olivet Cemetery by the side of
the husband.
[transcribed by J.D.P., February 2005]