MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 65
submitted by Neal Carter, Sept. 2, 2007

MRS. S. D. VELIE

OLD SETTLERS’ MEETING --- At a meeting of the Old Settlers of Muscatine yesterday to take proper action in regard to the death of one of its oldest and most respected members, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

WHEREAS, In the very sudden death of Mrs. S. D. Velie are again reminded in a startling manner of the great uncertainty of human life, as well as deeply impressed with the solemn fact that Death is rapidly seeping away the already thin ranks of our band of Old Settlers, therefore,


Resolved, That we recognize in the character of our deceased Sister, one whose life adorned the family and social circle with whose virtues pre-eminently praiseworthy in woman, and whose Christian walk and conversation were evidence of intimate conversation with her Heavenly Master.


Resolved, That as a token of our sympathy with the bereaved relatives and friends, we send them a copy of these resolutions, and request their publication in the city papers.

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Death of Mrs. S. D. Viele

Margaret, widow of S. D. Viele, died at her residence, in this city, Sunday evening, suddenly, from a paroxysm of the heart. The announcement Monday morning, of this death, went like an arrow of pain, shot from an unseen hand, through the heart of Muscatine society. Few knew of her illness. The same evening she had received her friends in the old genial, kindly way, and bade them, in the “good night,” the invitation, always so full of heart, to come again during the week and “spend the evening.” So she departed with Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Calder, the former her school day friend, back beyond the seas, in bonnie Scotland. But soon after, only moments after, the shadow from the dark valley fell upon her, and as if hearing the rushing of the waters, she consented that word might be sent to her brothers, and that Dr. Robertson be summoned. They came, hurriedly; but too late; she had passed over the river!

Deceased was born in Kieth, Scotland, in 1813. She was a sister of our well known citizens, James, Peter and Alex. Jackson, and accompanied one of her brothers to Muscatine in 1843. There were others of her native land here to receive her, and to no heart will the anguish of this bereavement come with greater sorrow, than to her’s which has enjoyed the true depths of the sisterly love and confidence of the departed for over 32 years.

Mrs. Viele was married in 1845, to Samuel D. Viele, of which marriage there was issue, several children, none of whom survive. Her husband died in 1867. Mr. Viele was held in high esteem by his acquaintances and the public, invited to many official trusts – elected at one time to the Mayoralty of the city. The wife shared in all the popularity of her husband. Neither were given to public or obtrusive ways, but gained their friendships as gold gets its value, by being always gold.

Deceased was distinguished for a beautiful Christian faith, which surrounded her later years like a halo. All sorrowing hearts, in the circle of her friendships, hastened to her presence as to a sanctuary, where the alter was continually burning with incense to a loving Providence. Others believed; she saw, that He doeth all things well. And so must her eyes have seen as they were opened, that Sunday evening, when in place of earthly friends, whom she was to meet “next week,” there burst upon her so suddenly, visions of the dear ones gone before, and the glories of the celestial life. Who can call this, death?

The funeral services will take place this afternoon, at 2 o’clock, at the Presbyterian church, of which deceased was a member.

The Old Settlers will meet at the Mayor’s office this morning at 10 o’clock to arrange for the afternoon ceremonies, and for their own memorial offering to the virtues of deceased.

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DIED--MRS. MARGARET VIELE – on January 16, 1876. Funeral to-day, the 18th, at 2 o’clock, from the Presbyterian church. –Tribune

From Wednesday’s Daily Tribune
The Funeral

There was a large attendance yesterday at the funeral of Mrs. S. D. Velie. The services were held at the Presbyterian church. In the audience was a numerous deputation from the Old Settlers’ Society.

The pulpit was occupied by the pastor, Mr. Dalrymple, the Rev. John Armstrong, of Fairfield, and Rev. Dr. Robbins, of the Congregational church.

After a voluntary by the choir, Mr. Dalrymple read a lesson from Scripture. The choir followed with a beautiful hymy selected for the occasion, and Mr. Armstrong, the old pastor of the society, rose to pay his touching tribute to the memory of his friend. Her house was the first he entered in Muscatine; at her table he ate his first meal; there, always, in her councils and sympathy he had found hope, encouragement, strength for his pastoral work. In her conversation his faith had been gilded with the light from the radiance of her own confidence in God’s providence. The speaker mentioned the charities of deceased and how the church had gone outside of its regular government to appoint Mrs. Viele and another lady as Deaconeses of the church to distribute its gifts to to the poor. In this relation, as showing the interest of the departed in the work of the church, the speaker mentioned the gift of a hundred dollars which he received on his departure from the city, for the new college of the church at Fairfield. Mr. Armstrong spoke with much feeling in his reminiscences of deceased, and closed with an eloquent peroration upon the death, which had been but a transition from earth to the new and glorious life of the departed sister to the scenes and scenery of heaven.

The Rev. Dr. Robbins in his remarks, continued the sentiment and spirit of the address of Mr. Armstrong. The Doctor referred to his early acquaintance with deceased, dating back over a period of 32 years. In the providence of God, he had been called to solemnize the marriage of Mrs. Viele with her husband. In those earlier days, deceased was a member of his own congregation. He remembered her presence in church and in the Sunday school class and her intellectual and spiritual interest in the progress of this bible school toward those heights of Christian faith which pastor and people were striving for. When, by marriage, the relations of this sister were transferred to another church, the same old, kindly intimacy continued. In the speaker’s journeyings to and from Davenport, then frequent in those earlier days the “half-way house” was at Mrs. Viele’s. The hearty welcome he received from the husband on these trainsitory visits, reflected the brightest sheen upon the holy vows he had solemnized. In conclusion, the speaker read the words of Christ, on his leave-taking with his diciples, as best expressing the life and faith and hope of deceased.

The ceremonies concluded with a hymn by the choir.

The audience accepted the opportunity, for taking the last, farewell look at the remains of one so universally and tenderly beloved, and then the casket was borne from the church and escorted to its last resting place. The pallbearers were Gen. Gordon, John Lemp, P. Stein, C. Cadle, Wm. Calder, and C. S. Porter.

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