Muscatine County, Iowa FAMILY STORIES

Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, date unknown

Mrs. Theresa L. Olds was carried to her last home on March 8, 1894.

    I read her obituary notices in the Journal and News-Tribune; also heard the remarks of Rev. W. E. Brooks at the church. But I think the life of this good woman deserves further notice.

     I knew her from June 1839, quite intimately until the fall of 1848. During all that time I knew her as a good, noble Christian woman. In the fall of 1848 I married her niece, Mrs. Harriet M. Morrow, the mother of Mrs. Mary J. Van Horne. After that date my acquaintance with Mrs. Olds became more intimate and I learned more of her noble character.

     In 1850 and 1851, when the cholera visited our town, there were but few who would attend those who were stricken with it. I saw Mrs. Olds in many places where persons had the cholera. I saw her at the house of Irad C. Day, where, in about twenty-four hours, Mr. and Mrs. Day and one child died of this disease. I met her at the house of my old friend, Dr. Robbins at the time his wife died of cholera. I met her at other places of afflictions. One case I cannot forget. During these sad cholera times a steamboat landed a poor family here by the name of Marshall. They had procured two rooms temporarily. I passed by those rooms, when a woman rushed out ad said: “I want a doctor; my husband has the cholera!” I sent a message to Dr. Reeder and went into the house. Before the doctor came Mrs. Olds was there. She spoke a few words to the afflicted woman and said she would soon return. She soon came back with her arms full of provocations for the famishing wife and children. She then stayed until the death of Marshall, about three hours. I know that she looked after and provided for the widow and her three children for a few days, until their friends took them away.

     I knew her well in cholera times and have known her as a “ministering angel” among the sick and afflicted since those sad times. She was always ready to help the sick and afflicted. During the long sickness of my wife she was a self-denying attendant upon her, and after my wife’s death visited us until the infirmities of age overtook her. During all that time she visited others in their sorrow and affliction. In my last interview with her in her old age, she spoke of her infirmities, of the loved ones who had passed away, and expressed an earnest wish to die and go to her long home. Substantially she said:

“Yonder is my house and portion fair,
My treasure and my heart is there,
And my abiding home.”

    She was beautiful in person, beautiful in life, and her noble Christian character. O: her it may well be said in the language of the Great Redeemer: “Well-done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

     Peace be to her, and may the memory of her many good and Christian deeds be long cherished.

D. C. Cloud