Jessie Louise Rose was born in Montgomery County, Indiana, September 19th, 1856.

She came at a very early age with her parents to Iowa settling in Benton county, where she grew to womanhood. When a child she was converted and joined the Methodist Protestant church.

On March 15th, 1876 she was married to Nelson G. Reeves to whom she was a faithful wife and a loving companion until the end, to this union nine children, were born, Irwin, a young man of seventeen, died in 1906 and was buried in Iowa.

In 1889 with her husband undaunted by the trials of early pioneer life they moved to Clay county, Iowa where the country was very new and together they built the third home in the township in which they lived, they saw the country develop and settle to the present state, today the old home is the most beautiful place in the county, the great trees her hands planted and the grounds she planned are living monuments.

In 1888(86?) together with her husband she was baptized into the Brethren church and was a member of that church until the family move to Missouri. In 1896 when the membership with that of the entire family was transferred to the Methodist church. She was identified with this church always with an active part until the family moved to Farnam, November 5th, 1905 and here she united with the Congregational church early in the spring of 1906 where she has been an active member until the last.

As a mother and wife she was everything the sacred word implies with never a thought for self, her life was lived for those she loved, her home she dearly loved, it a a veritable Heaven to her and truly was for God dwelt with her every hour. Her thoughts were to make others happy and her farewell benediction was a mother’s kiss.

Through her long and painful illness she maintained the same loving disposition, and though her infirmed body was not able to do her biding, her mind was active to the beautiful, and full of life. Never a complaint as to her lot. It was God’s way and his will was supreme.

She was unable to scarcely lay down for two nights in succession, but on Thursday morning about nine o’clock she laid down and remarked she was resting easy and feeling better.

She departed this life at 11:45 Thursday, November 2, as the Christ like should go, in peaceful sleep. Age 60 years, 1 month, and 14 days. She leaves to mourn her loss, a husband, N.G. Reeves, of Farnam, four sons, C.L. Reeves, of Warwick, N.Dak., Dr. A.E. Reeves of Farnam, M.G. Reeves of Oakland Calif., Frank Reeves, of Farnam, four daughters, Mrs. G.O. Jones of Lincoln, Mrs. C.E. Ammons, at Hamilton, Mo., Mrs. G.L. Weik, of Farnam, and Mrs. Geo. Fast of Phillips, Nebr. Two sisters Mrs. E.M. Brown, of Denhigh, N.Dak., Mrs. Laura Pelley of Bingham Lake, Minn., a half brother, G.M. Adair, Spencer, Ia. Nineteen grandchildren, four great grandchildren besides other relatives and a host of friends.

All the children were present at the funeral services which were held Sunday November 5th, 1922 conducted by Rev. G.R. McKeith of Friend, Nebr. and previously pastor of the Congregational church of Farnam and friend of the family. After prayers at the home, the body was taken to the Congregational church where she had worshiped so long and where a crowded congregation awaited the cortege.

The address was from Paul’s words “By the grace of God, I am what I am, 1st Cor. 15:10.

Mr. and Mrs. Dan McNickle and Mr. and Mrs. Harry McNickle sang “It Is Well With My Soul” and “Face to Face”. Mr. and Mrs. Dan McNickle also sang as a duet at the request of the deceased “Abide with Me”. Mrs. W.G.Parker presiding at the piano.

The Floral offerings were very beautiful and numerous, while the services were very impressive, helpful and comforting. Well fitting to the memory of a faithful wife, mother, friend, and neighbor, who loyally striven to experience and enjoy the saving grace of God in sickness and in health.

The four sons with a son-in-law and a grandson carried the remains from the home and at the church. Interment was made in the Farnam cemetery.

We heard not the voice of the Master
Nor saw we the Angel’s wings,
As they crossed the invisible threshold
Where the door of Eternity swings
Out o’er the mystic river
Their precious burden they bore
Where life problems uncertain,
Will follow and vex her no more.

We heard not the voice of the Master
As he said unto her “well done”,
We saw not the robe they gave her
Or the crown her labor had won.
We silently wait at the river,
The river each mortal must cross
Breathing our payers for each other,
To comfort our sorrow and loss.

Private collection.