OBITUARY: Eveline (Lary) Merrill, 1808-1888, Mitchell County, Iowa




                       Mrs. Eveline L. Merrill

Mrs. Eveline L. wife of Stephen Merrill, sank peacefully to sleep in death
Saturday, January 28, 1888, at 7:30 a. m. surrounded by all her family except
her son in Boston, who but for the snow blockade would have been present to
participate in the farewell services attending the laying her well worn body 
away to rest in the beautiful spot carefully prepared for it years ago.

Mrs. Merrill was the daughter of John and Hannah Lary, of Shapleigh, Maine,
where she was born August 5, 1808; and where she was married January 17,
1836, by Rev. Gilpatrick, a Baptist clergyman. Her married life of more
than half a century was an exceedingly pleasant one; and the celebration
of her golden wedding, a little more than two years ago, one of the bright
spots in the history of our city.

With her husband she came to Iowa in 1871, reaching Osage May 4th, where she
has lived, honored and loved by her family, and highly respected by all who
knew her.  She was endowed with strong mental faculties which were carefully
cultivated and intelligently employed.  Her wit was as keen as a Damascus
blade, yet never used to wound.  Naturally domestic, her home was the realm
in which she ruled with loving kindness.  Early in life she learned the
source of strength and the true manner of living, and manifested it openly
by uniting with the church of her choice, the Baptist, with which she lived
in loving accord for more than three score years; though owing to feeble
health she has not been able to unite with them in public worship since
coming west.

Mrs. M. was the happy mother of three sons and four daughters.  Two sons
and all her father's family have preceded her to the spirit land-leaving
her husband, one son, and all her daughters to mourn her loss.  She had a
severe attack of congestive pneumonia in the fall of 1883, which assumed
an asthmatic form from which she has suffered greatly, although much better
during the month of December, than at any time since first taken.  About
three weeks ago she began to fail; yet the end did not seem so near until
about two weeks before her death, when the indications were strong that
her "sands were nearly run".  It would not be entirely out of place to say
she was ready.  Her lamp was trimmed and had been burning many years--so
she could cheerfully say, as she often did: "Not my will, O Lord, but thine
be done".  The services were conducted by Rev. Duboc, Baptist, assisted by
Rev. Moody, Congregational. The text-Matthew xiv,12.  The morning was bright
and beautiful, indeed radiant with the splendor of the Frost King, as her
remains were carefully borne to her earthly resting place to await the
resurrection morn -- her happy spirit having already entered within the
vale of eternal sunshine and joy.



    Copyright 2005 - Marilyn Oconnor