MRS. H. E. MESERVEY DIED LAST WEDNESDAY EVENING

Mrs. Charlotte Kinney Davis Meservey passed away at her home on east Nebraska street at 10:15 last Wednesday evening. The funeral was conducted by Rev. J. A. Johnson, pastor of the Methodist church at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon at the family residence.

Charlotte Kinney Davis was born in Cushing, Knox county, Maine July 24, 1832, and died at her home in Blair, Nebraska June 14, 1922, aged 89 years, 10 months and 21 days.

Blessed with a wise, loving mother and a sturdy ambitious father who loved history and biography and who from his sea voyages brought books instead of toys for his children, the foundation was laid for a love of literature that enriched her mind and made her happy many times when failing sight made reading impossible. A happy girlhood spent with brothers and sisters by the side of the Atlantic, developed into womanhood and after caring tenderly for father, mother and other members of the family, she was married in September, 1867 to Edwin Marion Davis of Cushing, Maine. Their happiness was brief for in less than two years the husband died of typhoid fever. A short time after this terrible grief, their daughter, Edna Marion was born to cheer the hearts of mother and aged grandparents. For eighteen years Mrs. Davis gave a daughter’s care to her husband’s parents until they went to rest.

In October, 1885 she was married to Henry E. Meservey of Blair, Nebraska, and in 1888 she and her daughter came to their western home where for more than thirty years Mrs. Meservey brought cheer and loving service to husband and stepchildren. The death of Mr. Meservey May 24, 1901 added another sorrow, but through all her grief she kept her faith in the goodness of God.

Her life was one of cheerful service to her family, her friends and her church. Perhaps from her ancestors, Governor Bradford and Elder Brewster of Pilgrim fame, she inherited the active mind and breath of vision which enabled her to be interested in world affairs. Even during her late illness Mrs. Meservey was anxious for tidings from Genoa, for she was so (the end of the obituary is missing.)

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

#2-22 June, 1922 - The Tribune - Charlotte Kinney Davis Meservey

A NOBLE WOMAN IS CALLED TO HER REWARD

In the passing of Mrs. H. E. Meservey, a brief mention of which was made in these columns last week, Blair loses one of the brightest intellects, stored early in life with valuable information that has been a never ceasing source of pleasure and satisfaction to her during her declining years.

Charlotte Kinney Davis was born July 24, 1832 in Cushing, Knox Co., Maine, and died at her home in Blair, Nebraska June 14, 1922, aged 89 years, 10 months and 21 days. She grew to womanhood on the Atlantic shore where the song of the ocean lulled her to sleep from her babyhood, surrounded by her parents, brothers and sisters, among whom there was the greatest of affection and fidelity. She came of a sturdy race of people, and traces her ancestry back to Governor Bradford and Elder Brewster of Pilgrim fame. From her father she inherited a love for history, and by its study the foundation was laid for a love of literature that enriched her mind and was a source of comfort to her when her eyes were dimmed and she was no longer able to read the printed pages. She tenderly cared for her parents until her marriage to Edwin Marion Davis of Cushing, Maine, which occurred in September, 1867. Her married happiness was brief as the husband was stricken with typhoid fever in less than two years and was taken away. Shortly after his death, a daughter was born to her, whom she named, as nearly as possible, after the husband and father, Edna Marian, and is known to us as Miss Edna Davis, who has been devoted to her mother ever since she has been old enough to recognize her.

In October, 1885 she was married to Henry E. Meservey of Blair, Nebr., and a couple of years later came with her daughter, then a young lady, to their western home where for more than thirty years she gave her husband and stepchildren loving service and care.

Mr. Meservey preceded her in death May 24, 1901, thus adding another sorrow to her life, but never did she lose her faith in the goodness of God.

The funeral was held at the home on Nebraska street Friday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock and a large concourse of friends followed the frail form to its last resting place in the Blair cemetery, far from the home of her birth, but her spirit has ascended to the eternal home, where sorrow holds no carnival over withered affections and where longings for earthly scenes are not known. Rev. J. A. Johnson of the Methodist church preached the funeral sermon, assisted by Rev. W. H. Underwood, a former pastor, and Rev. C. M. Foreman of the Baptist church, a highly prized friend of Mrs. Meservey. Mrs. J. E. Hancock, Miss Ethel Mead, Dr. C. R. Mead and Dr. W. F. Hemphill sang a number of her favorite selections.

The children have lost a loving mother, the friends a kind neighbor and the community in general a noble minded, gracious woman.

Find a Grave Memorial #76023161