The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-04-26
Funeral Services Held Near San
dusIy, Attended by Many
People From This
City.
ADDRESS BY MooRHEAD
Mayor Of keokuk Pays Tribute to
Departed Woman-Rev.
Baker Conducts
Services.

The funeral OF Mrs. Catherine Col
win, widow of the late William Colvin,
occurred at the home Of her daughter
Mrs. Frank Davis, in the Sandusky
neighborhood Sunday afternoon. It
was largely attended. A number were
present from this city. The services
were conducted by the Rev. Mr.. w.
M. Baker, pastor of the Christian
church here. Interment was in the
family cemetery on the farm. The
pallbearers we're John G. Boyd, r. O..
Boyd, L. D. Boyd. Ernest Wright,
Merritt Van Ausdall and Alex Foggy.
Mrs. Colvin was born in Kentucky
and had lived near Sandusky since
1854 Her maiden name was Van Aus
dali In brief address at the fun
eral Mayor Moorhead paid her the
following heartfelt tribute:
Tribut. from Mayor.
Neighbors and Friends:
+ do not feel at all sure-I very
much doubt-if I can trust myself to
speak on this occasion. One very
near and dear to all Of US has been
taken from US, and while we bow
reverently to Him who doeth all
things well, we cannot wholly sup
press the natural promptings OF our
hearts. My personal grief and sense
of bereavement is second only to that
Of the immediate relatives who were
bound to her by ties Of blood. Not
only was she the beloved wife and
almost lifelong bosom companion of
my nearest and dearest friend, but
she held a place in her own right in
my heart Of hearts in common with
that occupied by my sainted mother.
They stood side by side in my affec-
lions in life, and now that both have
passed to the great unknown they are
enshrined together in the tenderest
and hottest memories.
Catherine Colvin was truly good
woman And she was as modest and
unassuming as she was meritorious.
She made no boasts and was wholly
free from pretense She was furthest
from desiring to attract public atten-
ton and excite the envy Of the vul-
gar crowd. She did not seek either
distinction or applause. She was con-
tent to live her simple life in simple
way, and in living she set an example
for us all. Day by day, week by week.
year by year, she performed the
duties that laid nearest to her-not
grudgingly, not half-heartedly. not per-
functorily, but promptly, cheerfully,
generously, with wealth Of love that
betokened the greatness Of her heart
and the boundlessness of her affec-
tions. I have known her well for q
period of thirty years. Some of you
have known her for even a longer
time. The longer your acquaintance
with her has been, the more certain
am that you will agree with me that
her distinguishing characteristic was
her unselfshness Other admirable
qualities she had in abundance: she
was rich in all the attributes of true
womanhood, as all who knew her will
cheerfully bear witness, but her
browning glory was her willingness
at all times and under any and all cir
substances to sacrifice herself in the
service of others. It mattered not at
what cost OF personal comfort or con-
vanience or effort, she was ever ready
to minister to others without thought
OF self. One 50 constituted could not
be otherwise than generous to fault.
but, open-hearted and open-handed as
she was, her greatest gift invariably
was herself. Thus it was that she
hallowed the common tasks of life
with the spirit of the Master and en-
nobled all she did with touch of the
divine Her character commanded
the respect of all. and her personality
attracted to her the good will and
affection of all. The quiet and use
full life she lived among US, the help
full things she did. and the gentle and
gracious words she used to speak, are
in our hearts at this hour and will be