The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-04-19
) >>~~~~>>>~~ 49, -
IN MEMORIAM.
Mrs. Helen NJ. Comstock.
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[Contributed.1

..
in Indiana and moved with her par
ents to Keokuk when she was ten
years of age. Her father was Mr..
William G.. Graham, who was well
known to all Of the older residents
of keokuk as an influential citizen
and his name is familiar to the pres
ent generation in the Graham hos
pital, which bears his name. Mrs
Comstock was also niece Of John A.
Graham, who was the fourth mayor o.
the city of Keokuk.
She was educated at the Williams
private school, then held in the octa-
gonal house since SO we'll known as
thu Davis residence. Mrs. Comstock
was married at the age of sixteen to
Mr. Gilbert Comstock of Keokuk. In
her early girlhood she Joined the
Presbyterian church, in which she
has been CHI eerful and active mem
Der since that time. She worked in
the various societies and was for
many years also teacher in the
Sabbath school During her long life
she was also actively connected with
was a member of the Graham Hos
pital Guild. Women's club, the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution as
well as a charter m 5mber of the
Young Women's Christian association.
In spite of her frequent and prolong-
ed absences from the city during her
later years, she has retained the mem
| ,o nd
her interest in keokuks welfare.
During her last years. her delicate
health has necessitate6 her sojourn in
California. Here she has resided at
Long Beach and Santa Barbara. The
final summons came to her at Pasa
dena on Easter morning, April 18th
She was at thu time receiving treat
ment at the Southern sanitarium at
Pasadena. With the passing OF Mrs
Comstock, Keokuk loses another Of
that type of old fashioned gentlewom-
en-, who charm equally by their Gull
ture, hospitality and warm-hearted-
ness. All who knew her mourn a
true friend and an earnest christian.
Mrs Comstock is survived by this
Morrison. Helen NJ Hall. c. NJ Nor
rison. Howard Hail. John Graham, all
of Washington. D. c.: DR.. Robert
Breckenridge and George Brecken-
ridge Of Austin, Texas, Miss Maud
Smith and other relatives In Mime
sofa.
Mrs. Helen Mar Comstock-an ap-
probation.
You might read her beautiful bio
graphy written in the hearts OF her
friends, and heart biographies are the
only true ones we know"
Certainly this is true of Mrs. Helen
NJ. Comstock, who was yesterday
brought from California to Oakland
cemetery to rest beside her father
and mother surrounded by the friends
of her early years, more of whom are
in that quiet city on the hillside than
in this busy city of life
She was descended from Virginia
family, all of whom were people OF
prominence and position wherever
they lived. Her father, William Ora
ham, and her mother, Martha M.
Coyle Graham, came to keokuk in
1S47 and were prominent in the life
of the city. Mrs. Comstock has al
ways called Keokuk. home" although
she has spent many seasons in Wash
ington and has had her residence In
California the past six or eight years.
She was a woman Of the greatest
charm.
Physically an unusually beautiful
woman, a woman cultivated by study
and travel and above all woman Of
the most devoted christian character.
Notwithstanding her absence from
this city she has always kept her
membership in the First Westminster
Presbyterian church.
She was devoted to the cause OF
missions and many years ago together
with Mrs. Geo. B. Smythe, Mrs. H.
Scott Howell, Mrs. M. L. Boyles, all
Of whom have gone to their reward. |
and with some who are still men, |
bers of the Westminster church, es-
tablished the missionary work Of that
church. Her interest was recently
made evident when she sent a choice
collection to the missionary loan ex-
hibit held here last month. She was
q member of the Daughters CT the
American Revolution and took an
active interest in its patriotic work.
She loved society and loved her
friends and in behalf of those friends
we bring this spray OF rosemary for
rem EN- brance.