The following obituary is from the Humboldt
Republican newspaper, Humboldt, Iowa, Friday, April 11, 1952:
Ella Jane Sheridan was the oldest child of her pioneer parents, Patrick and Margaret Sheridan. She was born in Rutland April 27, 1864. Both her parents were born in Ireland. Her mother came with her parents as an infant and they settled in the town of Cascade, Dubuque County, Iowa. Her father left Easky County sligo, in Ireland in May 1855, and located in Cascade, Iowa for about tow years, then he settled as a pioneer on a farm in Rutland Township in Humboldt County. While in Cascade, he became acquainted with Margaret L. Barton and June 2, 1863, they were united in marriage at Cascade and settled on the farm in Rutland Township where Ella was born. Her father tells how, during the early day when he first settled on the farm, days and often week passed without an opportunity of exchanging words with anybody.
Ella grew up to young womanhood on the farm with her parents. Her parents were good Christian people and it was in their home that the first service conducted by a Baptist minister in Rutland Township was held. This led to the organization of a Baptist Church, of which her parents were members, and which she joined as a young woman.
Feb. 11, 1885, she was united in marriage with Henry Gregory and the young couple settled on a farm northwest of Rutland. Three children came to bless this happy union. Ethel died in infancy. The others were Alfred who lives in Rutland and Alice, Mrs. Floyd Sheldon, who died June 1, 1948.
In 1900, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory moved to Rutland where Mr. Gregory became the proprietor of a hardware store. During the years Baptist people moved away so the Gregorys attended the Methodist Church. Feb. 26, 1934, Mr. Gregory passed away and Mrs. Gregory continued to live in Rutland and took a keen interest in community life and faithfully attended the Methodist Church when she was able to do so. She spent her summers in Rutland and her winters with her daughter, Mrs. Alice Sheldon, in Kansas City, Mo., until five years ago when she entered the Gordner nursing home as a semi-invalid. During those years she enjoyed he companionship of her old friends and some new one who also lived in that home. She was a good conversationalist and took an interest in up-to-date events in both Humboldt and Rutland and the world at large. She gradually weakened with age and Friday, March 28, 1852, she passed to the Heavenly Home at the age for 87 years, 11 months and 1 day.
Mrs. Gregory was a deeply religious soul. In the early years of her life, she learned to read the Bible and until the end of her days, her daily devotions were a source of strength to her. She was a dedicated Christian and always sought to carry out the will of God and the teaching of her Savior, Jesus Christ. As the end drew near, she looked forward to her departure to the Eternal Home to her loved ones gone before.
She is survived by her son, Alfred Gregory of Rutland; four grandsons, Gordon Gregory of LuVerne, Bruce Gregory of Rutland, Joseph Sheldon of Kansas City, and Pvt. James Gregory of Camp Chaffee, Ark.; five great-grand children; three brothers, John, William and David Sheridan; tow sisters-in-law, Mrs. William Sheridan and Mrs. Linda Hronek of Pocahontas; a number of nieces and nephews and other relatives, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry; two daughters, Ethel and Alice; three sisters, Mrs. Mary Davenport, Maggie and Sadie and one brother, Richard Sheridan.
Funeral services were conducted for Mrs. Gregory by Rev. Robert J. Watson, pastor of the Congregational Church, Thursday, April 1, at the Lindhart funeral chapel. Mrs. Donna Bair and Mrs. Keith Cran sang tow duets, “Ivory Palaces” and “In the Garden” accompanied by Mrs. Lou Brown, pianist. Internment was in Union Cemetery. Casket bearers were J.J. McDonald, Fay Ferris, Howard Whipple, Walter Schuter, John Henrichs and Floyd Blomker. Committee in charge of flowers was Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Bair and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Neilson.
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