Provided by Dan Graves, Historian, Mt Hope Library
Transcribed from Mt Hope Clarion, April ?, 1920
Submitted to Sedgwick County KSGenWeb by Jan LaMotte, 23 July 2000

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DEATH OF MRS. MARY E. (DALE) WATSON 1841-1920

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    Mrs. Mary Elvina Watson departed this life at her home in Mt. Hope, KS, April 17, 1920. Age 79 years, 3 months and 5 days. She was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, January 12, 1841 and was the daughter of Frank and Maria (Webster) Dale.

    She was united in marriage to Nelson L. Watson, March 31, 1859 at Aurora, IL. To this union were born five children, Mrs. Kate E. Johnson who died Feb 24, 1914; Charles S. Watson, Pond Creek, OK; Robert D. Watson, Mt. Hope, KS; Mrs. Mabel Ella Tihen, Andale, KS; and Franklin J. Watson who died May 2, 1871.

    She is survived by brothers; Arthur H. Dale, Leland, IL; William Dale, Clearwater, KS; Judge Frank Dale, Guthrie, OK; and Judge David M. Dale, Wichita, KS.

    With her husband and family she moved to her homestead four miles from Mt. Hope, May 10, 1872 and resided there until she moved to her late home in Mt. Hope. Her husband Mr. Watson died Feb 2, 1897 and she remained his widow until the time of her death.

    She united with the Methodist Church in her youth and at the time of her death she was stewardess emeritus of her church. She was keenly alive to every interest of her church and community to the day of her departure.

    Possessing remarkable force of character and intellect her counsel was often sought and wisely given in affairs pertaining to her church and community.

    She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Lodge of Mt. Hope, the members of which attended the funeral in a group forming an escort to the body of their departed sister. A large crowd paid it last respects to this highly respected citizen, when services were conducted Monday at 10 am at the Methodist Church by her pastor Rev. J. C. Johnson.

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