Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-17
OBITUARY.
Observation-Disclosures

SSNOSSSOSSSSSo SONOSSoSSSCOO
Elder Jane James was born at Bur
lington, Iowa, March 80, 1888. At the
age of two years she removed with her
mother to Jefferson county where she
has since resided. March IL, 1859 she
was united in marriage to w. T. Long.
Nine children We're born to this union,
two of whom have preceded her to the
better land. The husband and re:
naming seven children were with her
in her last illness. She was converted
at the age of 16 and united with the
M. E. church of which she has since
been member. She departed this life
Saturday evening, April -, at the age
of Cd years IL days. The bereaved
husband and children have the sympa-
thy of the entire community in their
sorrow. xxx
The news has but recently reached
Batavia of the death of John Edwin
Sparks, former resident of Batavia,
and son of M. B. and Sarah ]. Sparks
of Batavia. The death of Mr.. Sparks
occurred March 81, at La Gina, Mex,
while he was coupling cars. He was
conductor on the Mexico, Cuerno-
voca & Pacific railroad and met death
while in the discharge Of his duty.
Mr.. Sparks was born in Batavia Oc-
tober 26, 1868, and he lived at that
place with his parents for several
years, spending some time in British
Columbia and afterward in Mexico be-
fore going to Mexico to make his
home there. He was united in mar
riage in August, 1895, to Miss Ora
Crews of New Franklin, Mo-, and she
survives him. The members of the
immediate family who are left to
mourn the death of Mr.. Sparks are the
father and mother, two brothers and
three sisters.
Mr.. Sparks was a member of the
Knights of Pythias, Knights of the
Maccabees, and of the Order of Rail
way Conductors. His funeral services
at La Gina were conducted under the
auspices of the last named organiza-
ton. His remains were inferred there
but will be removed to Batavia as
soon as authority can be obtained
from the Mexican government.
Helen May Balderson was born
near Brighton, Sept. 81, 1865, and died
April y, l9O2, at Falrheld.
She was the youngest child of R. c.
and E. J. Balderson and was married
to Frank l.. Daggett, August 4, 1887,
at Pleasant Plain.
She leaves a loving and devoted
husband and four small children,
Harold B., J. Hubert, Bessie L., and
Frank Maynard the latter being less
than three weeks old. A father and
two sisters, Mrs. Harry Bitner and
Mrs. Will Halferty are also left to
mourn her loss.
AS child she delighted in Sunday
school work and committing verses
from the bible was her especial de
light. Her child life was spent in
the Brighton Methodist church OF
which her parents were both mem
bers. Her family moved to Pleasant
Plain and at the age of IA she united
with the Presbyterian church, there
being no M. E. church there.
After her marriage she removed tic
Ottumwa, and united with the First
M. E. church of that city. The family
moved to Fairfield In 1889 ana since
that time she has been an earnest
worker in both church and Sunday
| SSlOOi. hlIhouSH hSNCi oeiSiSo ShS
always did her part even beyond hel
strength. Her Sunday school class
was source of delight to her and
when forced to give them up on ac
count of ill health she worried over
the loss of her girls, but never lost
interest in them and from time tc
time inquired about the class.
Mrs. Daggett was for number o!
years a successful teacher in the Jeff
erson county public schools anC
among her pupils and patrons she was
held in highest esteem. A short time
before her death when consciousness
returned, she prayed for her husband
father and loved ones and commended
her precious darlings to the Lord.
The text and hymns used in the
funeral service were the same as uset
at her mothers funeral.