Ann Smith 1824-1909

SMITH, ELLIS, SCHOFIELD

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/21/2018 at 08:00:52

25 March 1909 - West Branch Times

Ann Ellis was born near Oldham, England, May 31, 1824 and died at her home in Oasis March 17, 1909, aged 81 years, 9 months and 18 days.

In her young womanhood she was married to John Schofield, and two children were born to them; but on the voyage to America in 1849 one child died at sea, and the husband and second child died soon after landing, leaving the widow alone in the city of Philadelphia, where she lived ten years.

About 1859 she came to Iowa, and in 1860 was married to John Smith. To this union three children were born, Caroline, Annie and James. Of these only the son, James, was spared to care for his mother in her old age.

For almost half a century she resided in the vicinity of Oasis, a pioneer of sterling worth, and holding a place of high esteem in the community. She became a member of the Fairview Presbyterian church, Aug. 30, 1868, of which she remained a loyal member until death, though for years deprived of the privilege of public worship, and her last days were spent in God's promises.

Funeral services were held Friday, Mar. 19, in the Fairview church, conducted by Rev. W. A. Montgomery of West Branch, and the remains were laid to rest in the Fairview cemetery.