Fine, Sylvia Jane – 1841-1927

BRYANT, FINE, GREEN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:29

Pioneer Resident Dies Early Today
To Hold Funeral Rites For Mrs. Alex Fine Saturday at 2 at Morgan Funeral Home
Mrs. Alex Fine, a resident of Newton for more than 50 years, died at her home at 721 East Seventh street North, this morning at 2:30 o’clock, following an illness of two years. She was 83 years old at the time of her death.
Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Morgan Funeral home, with the Rev. Huckley, presiding elder of the Methodist church, in charge of the rites. Burial will be made in the Newton Union cemetery.
Mrs. Fine is survived by one son, Kenneth Fine, one daughter, Mrs. Lulu Bryant, one step-son, William Fine, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Mr. Fine preceded her in death nine years ago.
Mrs. Fine has been in ill health for the last two years suffering from complication of diseases. She has been bedfast for the last two weeks where her condition grew gradually weaker and she died early this morning. Mrs. fine has been cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Bryant, and other close relatives.
Source: Newton Daily News; Thursday, August 4, 1927

Hold Fine Rites This Afternoon
Burial of Aged Pioneer Resident is in the Newton Union Cemetery
Funeral services for Mrs. Sylvia Jane Fine, who died at her home Thursday morning, were held this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Morgan Funeral home and burial was made in the Newton Union cemetery.
The rites were conducted by the Rev. S. A. McCollam, pastor of the United Presbyterian church, who was assisted by the Rev. H. F. Parker, pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal church of this city. Mrs. Bose Mays of this city had charge of the flowers.
Pallbearers were Herman Miller, Tom Andrews, Herbert Martin, Johnnie Bell, Lennie Miller and Mr. Lewis.
Music was furnished by Ella Willis, Vera Williams, Carrie Miller, Lettie Thomas, all of Des Moines. Mrs. Watson and Bose Mays, both of this city, who sang “Save, Save, in Each Earthly Joy’ and “Lead Kindly Light.” “In That City” the favorite song of Mrs. Fine, was sang by Mrs. Carrie Miller of Des Moines. Mrs. Fred Reeve accompanied on the piano.
Obituary
Sylvia Jane Fine was born in Ray county, Mo., June 19, 1841, and died at her home in Newton Aug. 4, 1927 at the age of 86 years, following an illness of about two years.
Mrs. Fine was born a slave and at an early age she was married to Philip Johnson and to this union five children were born, three having died in infancy. The eldest son, Will preceded his mother in death about 20 years ago and the other son, Edward, has not been heard from for the last 15 years. Mr. Johnson died July 20, 1875.
Three years later she married Alexander E. Fine and to this union four children were born. Rachael and Julia died in infancy and son Kenneth and one daughter Lula survive her.
Mrs. Fine was the last of the colored slaves who settled in Newton having occupied her home on Seventh street for the last 40 years. Her grandson and his family have made their home with her.
Relates Early Life
She had often related to her relatives and close friends her story of slavery and her escape through the underground railway. One night in 1862, she escaped with a party of three others beside herself to join a party of 30 slaves, who were making a run for freedom. They arrived at Kingston, 15 miles away, where there was a recruiting station of northern soldiers. They were hidden away for several weeks, the two women getting work while the men enlisted, with the exception of two elderly men. Finally they left for the north, traveling by foot. The party was seized twice and thrown into jail but when the northern soldiers heard of their trouble they were secretly released. Four of them finally reached Decatur City, Ia., where they spent the summer. On the night of August 1, 1862, they went to Indianola, frightened and weary from the loss of sleep and food. About this time she was at the age of 20 years, and finally came to Newton and remained here until her death.
Her husband, Alex Fine, who preceded her in death nine years ago, died Dec. 13, 1919, at the age of 79. He had always been recognized by the Grand Army of the Republic of this city as being an old Civil War veteran.
Was Faithful Christian
Mrs. Fine was a faithful Christian and a staunch member of the Paul’s African Methodist church of this city. As far back as the family can remember, she has been a Christian and was always dutiful to her many tasks in church and in her home.
Her garden was her hobby and the thoughts of it gave her new hope and inspiration for each succeeding year of her later life. She gave the best days of her later life to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, never tiring but always taking it as a pleasure.
She is survived by one daughter, Lulu Bryant of this city, one son, Kenneth Fine of Milwaukee, Wis., five grandchildren, Arthur and his family, who were making their home with her at the time of her death, and Edith Green of Chicago, and her two sons have been spending several months here helping to care for Mrs. Greene’s grandmother. The other granddaughter, Isabelle, is residing in Chicago. Five great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends also survive.
Source: Newton Daily News; Saturday, August 6, 1927, page 8, col. 4