Clearfield Enterprise
Clearfield, Iowa
November 25, 1915

Elizabeth Cook was born at Waynesville, Warren Co., Ohio, September 22nd, 1835, and died at Clearfield, Iowa, November 20th, 1915, aged 80 years, 1 month, and 28 days.

She married John Downs April 6th, 1864, and was his loving companion for more than 51 years. The grief stricken husband can today look back across this half century of time, and say, "Though my loss is too great for words, I can praise the great Giver of life for the long years He spared her to me."

Forty-six years ago Mr. and Mrs. Downs removed to Iowa, and lived thirty years near Iowa City, removing to this community sixteen years ago. During most of her life in this community she has not been strong. This is especially true of the closing months of her life, during which time she suffered much, but endured it with remarkable fortitude.

Mrs. Downs was the youngest of a family of ten children, and was the last to be called to her reward. Her two living children, who remained at her bedside till the end, and today mourn the loss of a loving mother, Harry M. Downs of Cando, North Dakota, and Mrs. Dinah E. Debrie of Hills, Iowa. One daughter, Mrs. Alice Overholser, died thirteen years ago. Nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren a large company of friends and acquaintances mourn her loss.

Mrs Downs' father was a Quaker minister, who impressed his views of Biblical truth so firmly on his youngest daughter that she would never enter the fellowship of another denomination. I am assured that she was a reader and lover of the Bible, and upon God's promises she staid her soul and her hope; and that in the closing days she frequently quoted the saying of Jesus, "Not my will but thine be done."

To the bereaved husband, children, grandchildren and friends we wish to say, "Keep the memory of her virtues green, and emulate her life wherein she followed the lowly Nazarene."

Funeral services were conducted at the home at three o'clock Sunday afternoon by Rev. T. R. Aikin of the United Presbyterian church; interment in Clearfield Cemetery.

Transcription by Lorelei Rusco, June of 2011

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