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From: "Nancee Seifert" <>
Subject: [IADECATU] OBITUAR - ADALINE H. (KILLEY) STEARNS
Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2002 19:28:48 -0500


Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, April 28, l92l

ADALINE H. STEARNS, born in the State of New York, January 7, l832, died at her home in Garden Grove, Iowa, April l6, l92l.

A daughter of JOSEPH and RUTH KILLEY, her father dying when she was only about three years old, her mother moved to Seneca County, Ohio, and being unable to care for her family of five young children, entrusted her little daughter to the care of MR. ALDEN WHITE and wife with whom she lived, but was not legally adopted until her marriage with JOHN B. STEARNS, which occurred in the year of l848.

The young couple immediately moved to their farm, a part of the Western Reserve, about one mile from Republic, Ohio. The land was at that time forest with the exception of about 6 acres cleared. They lived on this farm for many years, MRS. STEARNS contributing her full part in the management of both land and household, as her husband joined the gold rush to California and she remaining at home conducting the farming operations during his absence, both at this time and later on, during his service in the Civil War. About the year l885, with her husband, she moved to the then village of Huron, S. Dakota, taking up a claim about 6 miles from this city, then a Western frontier town, and after proving up on the claim the family moved to Plankington, S. Dakota, where they were joined by their daughter, CLARA and her husband, J.D. BARTOW and embarked in mercantile and grain business. After her husband's death, which occurred on January 6, l890, she moved to Garden Grove, Iowa,!
the home of her son, ALDEN W. STEARNS where she bought property and has made her home until her decease.

Although a long sufferer from disease, she was always cheerful and patient and wholly unmindful of herself and her own infirmities, was ever ready to help the needy and sorrowing. She had no thought of herself at any time, and was constantly doing for others. Her home was always open, and she numbered her warm and true friends from all who knew her, from the aged to the children. A truly consistent Christian woman, both in her belief and her exemplified life, she entertained no doubts or fears of the future. She passed quietly out of life as she had always lived, conscious to the very end, and her latest thoughts and words were of consideration of others, rather than of herself.

A useful life is spent. Her influence and character will be remembered by all who knew her, and particularly by her intimate friends. She leaves surviving her, sons WILLIAM F. STEARNS and ALDEN W. STEARNS; and daughters, MRS. CLARA BARTOW and MRS. GRACE B. VAIL. Interment is in Rock Creek Cemetery near Republic, Ohio, where she and her husband spent their young and happiest days of life. She leaves a large number of very dear friends to mourn her loss.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iadecatu
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
June l, 2002

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