Sarah (Hibbert) KIRKHAM

KIRKHAM, HIBBERT, KNOBLES, COOK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:46

Sarah (Hibbert) KIRKHAM

KIRKHAM RITES TO BE FRIDAY
Eagle Grove Woman Was in Russia During War as Nurse.

EAGLE GROVE, May 7.— Mrs. Sarah Hibbert Kirkham, 43, wife of Sylvester Kirkham, died at her residence Tuesday. Funeral services will be held at the Methodist church on Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in charge of the Rev. W. G. Muhleman, pastor of the church, with burial in Rose Hill cemetery. Mrs. Kirkham was a nurse during the World war before her marriage and was stationed in Moscow, Russia for a time until her health gave way. She is survived by her widowed mother, one son, George, 10, and a sister, Mrs. Charles Knobles of this city.

May 7, 1931
Mason City Globe Gazette --- Iowa

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Sarah Hibbert was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa, Sept. 9, 1888, where she has since made her home except for visits and extended trips over the world.

When she was 12 years of age her parents went to England and to their old home in Sweden. Sarah was put into a private school in England where she received instructions for a year. They then returned to Eagle Grove. When she was a junior in high school her parents moved to Niagara Falls but she remained in Eagle Grove where she made her home with Mrs. Harry Cook till her parents returned. She graduated from the Eagle Grove high school in 1907.

In 1908 she entered training in the Presbyterian hospital of Chicago. At the end of her probationary period, she had to come home to care for her parents who were ill. [Non legible] graduated in 1912. She returned to Eagle Grove and nursed for two years. She was the school nurse for one year. It was just about this time that the American Red Cross organized a Red Cross unit, fully equipped for service of nurses in the World War. Miss Hibbert joined this unit and was sent to Russia. This was in 1914. There were eleven nurses and one doctor in her party. Her trip was filled with interest because of the hazards from submarines and mines and blockades and storms. In Stockholm they were taken for one and a half days journey to the Swedish terminal line where they were received and welcomed by the Russian Red Cross. They were taken on primitive sledges across country to the Russian terminal station. Then after more travel, they passed through Finland and were taken into Russia proper where they underwent a very thorough examination. They were taken to Kiev and set to work caring for the wounded soldiers who were brought here by the thousands for first aid before taken farther inland or returned to the front as soon as they were able. They not only had wounds to contend with but cholera and other diseases as well. After serving the time of her enlistment she started on her return trip. She returned to this country by way of China and Japan. Because of her good work she received gifts from the sick and from the nurses to whom she endeared herself. One of these was a heavy gold ring given her by a Russian lady of noble birth.

On Sept. 17, 1918 she was united in marriage to Geo. S. Kirkham. One son, George, was born to this union.

During the terrible flu epidemic here in Eagle Grove she was the only nurse in town. She worked to the very limit of her strength, caring for the sick and suffering.

In April of 1922 she showed signs of having the dreaded disease of tuberculosis. On June 15 of the same year she went to Oakdale, Iowa, where she remained till in September 1925. She then went to California to spend the winter and returned the following summer. She returned to California the same year and returned to Iowa in April 1927. She remained at home till in June of 1928 when she again returned to Oakdale. Realizing that she was engaged in a losing fight, she came home in April of 1929 to be with her loved ones. She kept up her interest in her home and loved ones till the very last. The end came on the afternoon of May 5, 1931 at which time she was 42 years, 5 months, and 26 days old.

On August 4, 1907 she united with the Methodist church where she remained a faithful member to the end. She was a member of the following organizations as well: The Eastern Star, Auxiliary of G. I. A. of Locomotive Engineers, and the lady’s society of the B. of L. F. & E.

She leaves to mourn their loss, her husband and son, her mother, Mrs. Geo Hibbert, and sister, Mrs. Ruth Knobles, all of Eagle Grove; an aunt of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; an uncle in Sweden; and many cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church on Friday afternoon. The sermon was preached by the pastor, Rev. W. G. Muhleman. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.

The bereaved ones have the most sincere sympathy of the church and their many friends.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, May 14, 1931