The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1918-04-04


her father to Mahaska county, Iowa,
in 1858. The family consisted of an
older sister, Mrs. l.. B. Ayers; an only
brother, George W.; the two younger
sisters were Sara and Hannah. Mr..
Corwin built a beautiful residence on
the county road between the Madison
end Prime neighborhoods. The writer
of this sketch and Miss Corwin were
girlhood friends, and were among the
FIRST students in attendance at the
first school taught at the new Madi-
son schoolhouse. This new building
was not only a favorite educational
center, but it was frequently used for
church services The first revival
proved an inspiration to the people
for miles around, and it was in charge
Of men from Oskaloosa, Rev. j. F.
Childs, and Mr.. r. M. Tracy, the latter
being our faithful Sabbath school SUI
perintendent, even before the new
schoolhouse was fully completed,
After the first week of revival effort
an earnest appeal was made for all to
come forward and acknowledge
Christ as our Savior. Again, we two
l4-year-old girls were among the
first to kneel side by side at the altar
of prayer, gladly accepting the Bible
| invitation from the Master himself,
who is still saying, "Come unto Me,
Iall We that labor and are heavy laden,
and will give you rest"
On bright May evening, the 26th
of the month, 1861, the wedding bells
we're ringing out the marriage of Miss
Sara E., to Mr.. Erastus Coffin, at the
home OF SO. Corwin. Mrs. Coffin
was a civil war bride ,Comrade Cof-
| fin was. a member Of Company H,
Eighth Iowa regiment, leaving 0ska-
loosa September, 1861, serving three
years in the army of the great re-
bellion. After Mr. Collins return
from the war they began to keep
house on farm in Madison town
ship. This union was blessed with
five children; the eldest daughter died
in infancy; the rest of the children
are Mrs. Elmer Knight and Fred F.
Coffin of Madison township; Mrs.
Frank Prime of Garfield township; and
Mr.. Harry 0. Coffin of Des Moines.
In the meantime and through the
many intervening years, Mr.. and Mrs.
Coffin and their family Of children
were regularly seen on Sabbath morn
ing driving through the neighborhood
to the familiar place of worship, the
schoolhouse, later in life driving to
| the new Madison church. Mr.. Coffin
was superintendent of the Sabbath
school and led the singing for fully a
schore of years.
After residing on the same farm
forty-two years, where the eldest son,
Fred F., and family now live, they
removed to Oskaloosa, fifteen years
ago. Mrs. Collins quiet disposition
and peaceful example drew to her
side many warm friends. She did not
identify herself with any religious
organization, but the Congregational
church was the church of her choice,
for her early life was spent under its
Christian influences. She had also
formed habits of industry in childhood
which remained, and her unusual flow
of neatness was ,yiyidly characterized
in her we'll kept, comfortable home.
4 However, "Her children arise up, and
call her blessed, her husband also, he
praiseth her." Mr.. and Mrs. Coffin
walked hand in hand together for
about fifty-seven years. With re-
neWed courage she patiently faced ill
ness of general debility for nearly six
months, after which the end came at
the age of II years, s months and 10
days.
At. the time of departure the chill
tdren and their father were all at the
bedside, except Harry, who arrived
shortly after his mothers death. The
only living relatives outside of her
! immediate family are two nieces and
enc nephew, Mr.. Russell Corwin of
! Saltwater, Mimi, Mrs. Laura Ayers
| Farmer of Hollywood, CAL, and Mrs.
Rella Corwin Hall of Des Moines.
Aside from the immediate family of
children there are eight grandchildren
and seven great-grandchildren She
will be greatly missed, especially in
her own house, for she was lover of
husband, home and children. Aside
from these host of friends who now
extend heartfelt sympathy to the be-
reaved family.
The funeral was held at the home
at p. m. March %, 1918. The serv-
ice opened by duet singing. The IA
vorite hymns were Jesus, Lover of
Ny Soul" "Rock of Ages" and the
closing one, Nearer, My God, to
Thee" After the invocation, so full
of sympathizing petitions in behalf of
the sorro&ing by Rev. w. L. Waters
of the Congregational church, who
then gave rich cluster OF. beautiful
Bible verses for present consolation
such precious promises as, "For we
know that if the. earthly house of our
tabernacle be dissolved, we have a
building from God, house not made
with hands, eternal, in the heavens"
This text, III Corinthians 5:1, Mr..
Waters used as basis for his SPLEEN
did sermon, also referring very touch
ingly to the many mansions our Sa-
vIor is preparing for all who love Him.
The minister spoke very impressively
of the vision that John saw while on
the Isle of Patmos; of the great multi
tude that no man could number, stand
ing before the throne and before the
Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and
with palms in their hands, saying,
Blessing and glory, and wisdom, and
thanksgiving, and honor, and power,
and might be unto our God, forever
and forever" The question is asked:
who are they?" and is answered.: