The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-12-20
MORTUARY.
Mrs. George w. Machlan.

Elizabeth Ellen Machlan was born in
Rush county, Ind, March 81, 1885, and
departed this life Dec. IA, 1906, age 20
years, s months and u days. Between
these dates lies the life history cover
ing little more than the allotted three
score years and ten=-A period that
looked back upon seems all too short.
Sister Machlan's maiden name was
Mann. On Aug. %, 1858, when in her
18th year, at her childhood home she
was united in marriage to Geo. W.
Machlan, who after over 53 years OF
happy welded life survives to mourn
her departure. Five children, three
sons and two daughters were given to
bless their home; two Of these were
born in Indiana and three in Iowa.
They all survive their mother and are
present today. They are William A. of
Weldon, Homer Il. of Des Moines, j.
Newton and Mrs. Edna A. Thompson,
OF Leon, and Mrs. Bertha l.. Britt, of
Davis City. Besides these there are
twenty-nine grandchildren and three
great-grandchildrep.
In September 1858, the family, con-
sisting of husband and wife and two
children came to Franklin township,
Decatur county, Iowa, where they re-
| sided continuously until five years ago,
! when they moved to the present home
at Leon. In that early day, nearly
fifty years ago when they came to the
bleak prairies of Iowa to make home,
conditions We're vastly different from
what they are today. Then the pioneer
suffered hardships Of which this gener-
alton can know nothing. There were
no railroads near, no telephones, no
rural routes, Ottumwa and Keeknk
being the nearest points. While the
husband and father would go on those
long trips to secure supplies for the
family she was the care taker of the
! home. At first but a cabin home, but
what with honest toll and the blessing
Of God they accumulated enough of
this worlds goods to give her all the
comforts of life in her last years. She
was converted at twelve years of age
and united with the Nj. E. church.
Through all these years she held fast to
her faith in God. For years after
coming to Iowa she held her member
ship at Van Vert, when the church
known as the Fair View church was
organized near her home, she transferred
her membership there and was an
active, earnest worker in building up
the kingdom OF God in that community.
When the time came to erect house
Of worship she and her husband were
the most liberal contributors, and here
she had her membership at the time of
her death. God honored her faith by
permitting her to see all of her child
ren brought into the kingdom.
Her last illness was brief. On Satur-
day morning, Dec. s. at about O'clock,
while sitting at the breakfast table she
rec we'd paralytic stroke; her hus-
band summoned a physician at once,
the children were called, neighbors
and friends came i'll and all THAI skill
and loving ministry could do was done,
but to no purpose. She fingered till
Friday, Dec. H. about half past ;
O'Clock in the afternoon. With her
loved ones about her she fell asleep
gently passing apparently without
pain.
AS the ripened sheaf she has been
gathered to the Masters garner
i.ifes work done; lifc's sorrows past.
How fitting that from the arms of loved
ones here, she should go to the shelter
ing of the everlasting arms. Our hearts
are saddened, but for her we believe
the heavenly joys to be her portion.
The funeral services we're held from
the home on Sunday morning at IL
o'clock. conducted by Rev. ]. l.. Boyd,
pastor of the Leon NJ. E. church, inter
mcnt being in the Leon cemetery.