"G" Obit Collection Madison Co, Iowa ---------------------------------------------------------------- Garrett, Matilda Ann, was born in Madison county, Virginia, on the 3rd of May, 1830. In 1836 she moved with her parents to Highland county, Ohio. On the 8th of January, 1845, she was united in marriage to Walter B. Garrett, of Fayette county, Ohio, and in 1865 they came to Madison county, Iowa. Until very recently the family resided in Walnut township in the extreme southern part of the county, afterwhich they moved to the present homestead just east of Winterset. Mrs. Garrett was the mother of thirteen children. Eleven of these children survive her - eight sons and three daughters. Ten of these children were present at her funeral; one son found it impossible to come. Sister Garrett passed on to the glory world on Saturday morning of June 20th. She had always been a strong, healthy, hardworking, energetic woman. Her illness was brief and the struggle with death soon over. Sister Garrett was converted while quite young, and joined the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she remained a member all her life, until she was called to fellowship of the church triumphant, which is without fault before the throne of God. The life of the departed was one of toil and deepest anxiety for her eight sons and three daughters. As one by one they came to man and womanhood and started out to make their own way in the busy world, her anxiety for them never grew less. Her deepest concern for them was that her boys grow manly and honest, and that christian integrity should be the crowning virtue of her girls. She was graciously spared to see all her children grown to man and womanhood ere she went to the bright home on high. The funeral was held at the home, one mile east of Winterset on Wednesday at 3 p.m. and was attended by a very large company of relatives and friends. Sermon by the writer from the text, "I have finished my course, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown," 2 Tim. 4:7-8........... Garst, Basha Secrease, was born in Indiana, January 17th, 1847. When a child she moved to Iowa where she remained until death which occured on Thursday July 9th, 1896, aged 49 years, 5 months and 22 days. She was married to John W. Garst, June 13, 1872. To them were born 4 children, 3 daughters and 1 son, who mourn the loss of an affectionate wife and companion, and a kind loving mother. she had been a great sufferer for years with sickness and her last moments were peaceful. A few days before her death she said, "all is well when the Lord sees fit to call me." (A poem follows) Goodie, Johnnie, We can hardly realize that so loved one as little Johnnie Goodie has been transplanted from his earthly home to that beautiful home above; so quick can that dreadful disease snatch them from our arms. How we miss his little footsteps and his smiling face always so pleasant and happy. He was the life of the home, so affectionate, carrying sunshine wherever he went. with his little playmates he was kind and unselfish, ready to give up his plays for others. when one who had particular interest in him would go to the window and look in he would wave his little hand so kind and loving. Just before leaving this earth he motioned each one to come and kissed them all goodby. To those grief stricken parents we can say, you have the sympathy of this entire community. Your little one has only gone before to bask in the light of Him who said "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven." "Rosy cheeked darling, The light of the home, Taken so early Is beckoning you come." M. P. Graham, A. J., In the Advocate-Tribune notice of the suicide of A. J. Graham we find this paragraph: "The matter had evidently been pressing upon his mind, for he talked at length the evening before on his family history, dwelling particularly on his father's suicide, for he too took his own life in a fit of insanity." We are requested to state that A. J. Graham's father did not commit suicide. He died of heart disease in Pennsylvania, on the 6th day of August, 1869, while in the harvest field at work, and was buried on the 7th, the day of the total eclipse. We have this from a person who was present when he died. Guyer, Rev. Simpson, Des Moines Conference mourns the decease of one of its most saintly memberes, Rev. Simpson Guyer, who died Jan 24, 1893 at Huntington Furnace, Pa., Oct. 1, 1821. His parents, George and Mary Simpson Guyer, were deeply devoted members of the Church and made great sacrifice to bring up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." Five of their sons became Methodist ministers, but Simpson was the only one who came to the West. This move was induced by the fact that three of his brothers were already members of the Baltimore Conference, and the Eastern conferences generally were well supplied; while the West was calling for men.. Notwithstanding this it may well be doubted whether this was a wise move, for the reason that less in the ...............Moreover his greatest, deepest consciousness of sacrifice for his Church was experienced when bidding ado to his father who had brought him to the depot where he left all behind that was dear and, alone, took his way to the friendless West. When, later he brought from her Eastern home his young, refined and beautiful bride, she well-nigh died of homesickness, induced by the incongruous surroundings. There are refined souls who combine, with this more assertiveness and hence hold their own in the "give and take" of social attrition, but the singular unobtrusiveness of Bro. and Sister Guyer simply immolated their finest sensibilities upon the altar of Western demands. Converted in his 19th year, he was licensed to exhort in March, and to preach in December of his 23rd year. One year of itinerant work under a presiding elder preceded his move to the West, but August 1847, saw him admitted on trial in the Rock River Conference. In November, 1866, at Bishop Ames' request he was transferred to the Des Moines Conference, and stationed at Indianola. Twenty-two years of faithful, saint-like toilsome ministerial labor, often overworked, often exposed to excesses of weather, constitute his record of active service in the Des Moines Conference. Superannuating in the autumn of 1888, he closed an itinerant ministry of 42 years. For nearly 20 years prior to his decease he had his home in Indianola. There he was best known, appreciated, loved. The ministers, old and young, students, teachers and neighbors found in him not only a high spiritual exemplar, but wise conselor. The power to be unselfish, the gist of the Gospel, he exemplified among his nearest and most discerning neighbors. And his prayers in the Church were like a benediction from above. His rare unselfishness doubtless gave special refinement to his gentlemanly spirit, manner and culture; and added force to his eminent good sense. A large concourse of people, loving neighbors, joined his family in honest tears of sorrow as in the church and at the grave, with the Masonic order, they paid the last memorials of love about his bier. "Servant of God well done," voices the spontaneous sentiment of all who knew him; and we doubt not is echoed in that "goodly company" whither he is gone Emory Miller ------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organiza- tions or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contri- butor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Cay Merryman