Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-12
Mrs. John D. Rockefeller
Expires While Husband
Is in South.
CHARTER SPECIAL
TRAIN NORTHWARD
Father and Son, Hasten.
ing to Tarrytown, N. Y-Romantie
courtship and Marriage Of Future
Wsalthisst Man and Modest and
studious Cleveland School Girl
Once Resident Of Burlington, Iowa.

Studious Cleveland School Girl
Once Resident Of Burlington, Iowa.
New York, March 12.-Mrs. John D.
Rockefeller died at her home in Tarry-
town today. Mrs. Rockefeller died at
1920 this morning at Pocantico Hills,
just outside of Tarrytown, where she
has been ill for some time.
While Mrs. Rockefeller has been an
invalid for many months, it is UNDER
stood her death came unexpectedly.
Her husband and her son were at Or
mond, Fla, and were advised early to-
day that Mrs. Rockefeller had taken
a critical turn for the worse. The
Rockefellers Immediately chartered a
train ana left Jacksonville early today.
Mrs. E. Parmalee Prentice, Mrs.
Rockefellers daughter, was the only
immediate relative present when she
died.
Once Resident Of lows.
was born in Wadsworth, O., of we'll
to-do New England parents, on Sept.
8, 1889. She was her husbands junior
by two months AS a child she lived
in Wadsworth, in Burlington, Iowa, in
B. Spelman, achieved q competence in
Cleveland. In the grammar school at
p1 oh r1h~ pookcfo0lnR
when they were 15 years old.
Rockefeller was q country boy. She
was the daughter of one Of Cleve-
lands leading citizens. His home was
a little farm house; hers, one Of 'Cleve-
sociates, outside of school, were mostly
were talented folk Of affairs drawn to
father then was a member OF the Ohio
legisla ture, public spirited citizen
interested in philanthropies and q man
other differences. the awkward youth
and the city girl had in common q
love of study and simple tastes. and
they become fast friends.
Laura Spelman's schoolmates knew
IlcT StS d Qulcl, SluOlOuS ShA, wiz "ouAN
rather read good book than go to
the thca.e-;; ss deyonted church goer
and as a girl who was always well
dressed in good taste, avoiding ex-
tremes and seeking simplicity. She was
intensely practical and home-loving.
At high school she caused some sur
prise by taking not only the prescribed
course but bookkeeping and other COM
mercial studies little pursued by young
women in those days.
Friends Ten Years.
There seems to have been little SEN
timentality in the friendship between
Miss Spelman and young Rockefeller,
but for ten years each was the others
best friend. During the days Of Rocke-
feller's early manhood, when he saw
his hopes Of college education fade
away. and soon thereafter when he
tramped the streets of Cleveland for
weeks in seemingly hopeless search
for work, she encouraged and cheered
him. Soon after he had established
himself in his first place-as book
keeper at $500 a year she left Cleve-
land to complete her education at
Worcester Mass. She returned when
she was 20 years old and taught in
Cleveland's public schools. Her first
class was the "a" grammar grade in
the Brownell street school. now known
as the East Fourteenth street school,
And she renewed her friendship with
young Rockefeller.
In 1862 Miss Spelman. described by
her superiors as a splendid disciplinar-
ian and perfect teacher, became as
sistant principal Of the school. Rocke-
teller, absorbed in business. took the
books Of his firm to her Of an evening
and together they. would go over his
affairs. Both Of them were interested
together in church work, too; she as
a Congregationalist, he as a Baptist;
and neither attended dance or the
theater.
Young Rockefeller prospered beyond
his fairest hopes. AS soon as he felt
that he could ask her to become his
wife he did so. They were married on
Sept. 8. 1864. the eve Of her twenty NTH
birthday. and started to keep house IN
a little two-story brick residence m
one OF Cleveland's side strees. Upon
her marriage, she became a Baptist
and to her religion and her home she
devoted her entire time.
ITO be good wife and mother Is the
highest and hardest privilege OF .
woman" was one Of the sayings ac-
credited to her by the little circle OF
friends she knew at this time. The
borders Of her world were her nome.
Her whole life was wrapped up in, her
husband and children. She avoided all
social functions and Joined no clubs.
Lived Simple Life.
When Mt. Rockefeller's wealth was
mentioned in seven figures they left
their first home for residence re-
markable only for itz unpretentious-
ness on Euclid avenue, Cleveland's Q
mile Of millions" Here Mrs. Rookie
feiler reared her four children: . nth
died In infancy.
The training given the Rockefeller
children by their mother is declared to
have been almost Spartan. Altho the
Rockefeller wealth increased in leaps
and bounds there was only one car
riage and . horse cared sor BY man.
Who acted - both coachMsn and host-