MRS. R. O. STAFFORD 1830 - 1913

STAFFORD, STRICKLER

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 5/10/2025 at 20:44:43

The Daily Gate City
Keokuk, Iowa
14 NOV 1913

MRS. STAFFORD
DIED THIS MORNING
~~~~~~~
At Her Home With Mr. and Mrs.
Henry Strickler at the Early
Hour of Two
O'clock
~~~~~~~
WAS BORN IN VIRGINIA
~~~~~~~
Came West Soon After Her Marriage,
and Had Resided in Keokuk
Several Years
~~~~

Her many friends in Keokuk and her former home in Clark county, Mo., will be grieved to learn of the death of Mrs. R. O. Stafford, who died at 2 o'clock this morning, at her home, at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Strickler, at 227 North Fifth street.

Mrs. Stafford had been in failing health for about a year, but was able to be about her affairs until about two weeks ago when she was taken worse and confined to her room, passing away peacefully as she had lived.

Mrs. Stafford was born in the vicinity of Lynchburg, Va., September 8, 1830, where she was married to John Stafford, and at once they started to seek a home in the west, coming the entire trip, as was the custom in early days, by private conveyance in their own wagons and other vehicles. They first settled in Illinois where they remained about two years, and remove in 1848, to Athens, Clark county, Mo., where they lived until 1879, and then went to Carthage, Ill., where they remained two years and from there returned to Clark county, Mo., locating at Kahoka in 1881. There her husband died and about ten years ago she came to Keokuk to reside with her daughter, Mrs. Henry Strickler, where she died.

She had long had connection with the Presbyterian church and when she came to Keokuk to reside, placed her membership with the First Westminster Presbyterian church and was a faithful and earnest member to the time of her death. She was one of the good old mothers of Keokuk and many who have known her only casually will miss her kindly presence in her accustomed places. While her health prevented her from associating as she might desire with her many friends, she always had a gentle smile and a friendly word for those who met her. She was a good woman as those who knew her best will testify. She was one of the earnest and honest pioneer christian mothers of the land, who held home and family as her most cherished prizes. They were her earthly idols next to her christian faith and hopes, and the members of that family will sadly feel her loss, and cherish her sweet memory in their fond and grateful hearts.

She is survived by one son and one daughter, O. A. Stafford and Mrs. Henry Strickler, both of Keokuk, and several grand children and great grandchildren.

Short services will be held at the residence, 22 North Fifth street, at 8 o'clock tomorrow, Saturday, morning, and the remains will be taken by train to Kahoka, Mo., where the funeral will take place at about 11:00 o'clock.