Willie Ellen DeHarty 1844 - 1928

DEHARTY, HOPPER, YOTHERS

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen (email)
Date: 5/1/2024 at 00:41:45

Grandma Yothers Called to Rest
7 June 1844 - 23 June 1928

Willie Ellen DeHarty was born on May 7, 1844 at Sandtown, Kent County, Delaware. Her father died when she was quite young and her mother, with her 5 children moved to Spring Brook, Jackson County, Iowa, where she lived until her marriage to Solomon Hopper on May 29, 1864. The young couple left at once with an immigrant train for the west to seek their fortune. An Indian left them stranded at Kanesville near Missouri Valley. With the aid of friends they got back to Chalsea, Tama County, where they lived for several years until they moved on a farm at Coons Grove, near Denison.

Bur the virus of the west was still in their blood, and in 1872 they moved to Smithland and that fall located on the farm seven miles west of here on the edge of the Missouri bottoms which was their home for many years, 8 children were born to this union, four of whom preceded her in death.

In 1882 she and her children moved to Smithland in to the present home, which she occupied up to the time of her death, 23 June 1928, at the age of 84 years, 1 month and sixteen days.

On April 16, 1892, she was married to John Yothers, who passed away in February 1921.

She leaves to mourn her loss 4 children, Mrs. J. R. Swain, Greeley, Nebr., Mrs. F. H. Farnsworth, Janesville, Wis., Don C. Hopper, Chicago and Mrs. J. W. Anderson, Onawa, 8 grandchildren, 10 great- grandchildren, a large number of nephews and nieces and a legion of friends.

Early in life she united with the Methodist church and has been a faithful member and worker in the vineyard of the Lord through all the years. She exemplified her Christian faith in her daily life, helping those who needed assistance, speaking a word of hope to the discouraged and always trying to make the burden lighter for others.

Her home was a heaven for many in time of trouble.

As a great reader she enjoyed the best things in literature, loved music and song and the beauties of nature, but her home, her family and her friends were her first consideration.

She was keenly interested in public and civic affairs standing for the highest ideals in government and was a splendid type of American citizenship and pioneer womanhood.

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church, Rev. Hammer officiating. Not-with-standing the stormy day and bad roads a large number of old friends and neighbors were present to pay their last respects. The floral offerings were many and beautiful.

The pall bearers were her nephews, Oscar, Emmett DeHarty, Fred Palmer, Leon St. ?, and Herbert Bails. She was laid to rest in the beautiful Smithland cemetery beside her loved ones.

A good woman has gone to meet her rewards. "Blessed are they who die in the Lord