Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-06-06
OBITUARY..

Ann Bates (the maiden name of Mrs.
William Brierly) was born in York.
shire, England, Jan. IS, 1895. When
fourteen years of age, she came with
her parents to this country; and at
Philadelphia, Sept. ID, 1859, was mar.
ried to William Briefly. They came
to Iowa in 1871, to the farm about two
miles west of Cresco, which under
their management and that of their
sons has become one of the best in
Howard county. Mr. Briefly preceded
his wife 10 the world which lies be.
yond by about four years and half,
having died Dec. S, 1897. Two of
their children also, one of whom died
in childhood, and the other as wife of
Mr.. ]. Mcmillan, we're waiting on the
other shore to greet the mother, who
through years of patient suffering and
in the confidence of an undimmed
hope, passed out from mortality Nav
~, 1902. Three sons and three
daughters remain. They live in the
atter.glow of lite whose quiet endur-
ance, unmurmurlng submission and
triumphant faith make IT shining ex.
ample for their contemplation, an in.
spiratlon to their memories. From
the fellowship of the Baptist church,
OF which she has been prominent
and most faithful member Tor 81 years,
and from the large social circle III
which she was wont to move, as well
as her numerous relations, her absence
will be continual regret. To the
high respect in which the deceased
was held, the many exquisite floral
tributes, and the very large following
at the funeral we're partial expressions.
The services we're held at the home,
and the remains inferred at Oak Lawn
cemetery on the afternoon of MAY "a.
Rev. Silke, who had charge of the
services, assisted by Rev. Smith, spoke
feelingly of the great personal help in
his work which Mrs. Briefly had been,
OF her persistent loyalty to the church
through many outward changes of the
answering faith and radiant hope
which characterized the sufferer; and
that He, who will call, from valley,
hill and plain, the uunumbered hosts
OF His redeemed ones in that hour
when he will prove himself ''the Res.
direction and the Life" had accord.
ing to his own plans OF infinite love,
given HIS beloved sleep. "Blessed
are the dead that die in the Lord,
they rest from their abors. and their
works do follow them" Let those of
US who remain.
Seek to learn that heightened breath,
Is not the sweetest gift God sends his
friend
And that sometimes the sable pail of death
Conceals the fairest boon HIS love can
send.
If we could push ajar the gates of life,
And stand within and all Gods working
see,
We could interpret all this pain and grief,
And for each mystery find a key.
Sometime, when all lifes lessons have
been learned
And sun and stars forevermore have set,
The things which our weak judgments here
have spurned-
The things DER which we greved with
lashes wet
Will flash before us out of life.s dark night.
AS stars shine most in deeper tints of blue;
And we shall see how all Gods plans
were right,
And how what seemed most cruel was
love most true.
CARD OF THANKS.
The members of the Briefly family
desire to express to their numerous
friends their heartfelt gratitude for
the many expressions Of sympathy
and kindness which have been extend.
ed to them during the suffering, and
since the death of their dear and
much lamented mother, Mrs. Vim
Briefly.