At Rest.

Eliza Martin was born near Morgantown, Monongalia county, West Virginia, December 11, 1835 and departed this life in peace at her late home in Elliott, Iowa, February 16, 1914, at the ripe age of 78 years, 2 months and 5 days.

October 7, 1858, she was married to Levi E. Mercer to which union were born two children, Sanford M. Mercer, of Alhambra, California, and Ella Manetta Culver, whose death occurred December 28, 1895.

On April 10, 1864, she was bereft of her first husband for on this date Mr. Mercer fell asleep. September 23, 1866 she was again married to Hiram H. Burris, the ceremony being performed by Uncle Billy Reed, of blessed memory, at his home near Milford, Iowa. To this union were born 7 children, six of whom survive, as follows: Walter G. Burris, of Des Moines; Clark E. Burris, of Bakersfield, California; Eva M. Butcher, of Hampton, Iowa; Margaret Stevens, of Red Oak; Asenath Mead, of Elliott, and Maybel Swisher, of Webster City, Iowa. Levi Edmund passed on before on August 28, 1912.

In 1863 the deceased moved from Morgantown, West Virginia, to Milford, Iowa, and later to what is now the County farm, south of Red Oak. In 1892 the family moved to a farm 3½ miles east of Elliott and in 1901 to their present home in Elliott.

October 29, 1909 she again suffered severe bereavement for on that date her second companion with whom she journeyed on life’s way for 42 years, departed peacefully to his home in heaven.

When quite young she was converted and united with the Wesleyan church of Morgantown, West Virginia. In 1864 she united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Milford, now Grant, Iowa, and later transferred her membership to the Elliott M. E. church of which she remained a faithful and devoted member until she joined the Church Triumphant.

The writer will carry with him a mind picture throughout life’s day of one of God’s noblest and most faithful servants.

The sweet rest, which Grandma Burris now enjoys, may well be coveted by us all. She lived not for herself, but for others. These 78 years were busy years, and she succeeded in building that enduring monument that has Eternity stamped upon it, viz.: Immortal Character. The leaves fall during a thousand autumns, the tree lives on; the author writes his books, they pass into oblivion, the author lives; the artist paints his masterpiece, time defaces the canvas, the artist lives; the architect builds his magnificent structure, it crumbles into dust, the architect lives. The temple wherein dwelt the beautiful spirit of Grandma Burris is taken down, but her spirit has gone to God who gave it.

Farewell, thou dearest, humblest, truth loving servant, thy course is run, the victory is yours. Now comes rest, we will see each other again in eternal life.

She also leaves besides her children, who rise up and call her blessed, 16 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, two sisters and one brother, Margaret Weiland, Fanny Reay and Chas. Martin, of Morgantown, West Virginia. Besides these a host of friends and acquaintances testify that Grandma Burris was an affectionate companion, a kind and loving mother and a splendid neighbor to all.

THE ELLIOTT GRAPHIC, Elliott, Iowa, February 19, 1914.