Daggett, Mary Ellen (Ellis) 1861-1944

DAGGETT, ELLIS, NORTON, PETRICH, KISSLER, RICE

Posted By: Cindy Maust Smith (email)
Date: 10/11/2021 at 20:34:29

~Source: The Gazette-Tribune, Thursday, September 7, 1944, Sibley, Iowa, Page 4

Mrs. Lyle Daggett Buried Here August 26

Mary Ellen Ellis was born in Finnemore, Grant County, Wisconsin on July 10, 1861 and departed life at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Petrich in Sanborn, at the age of 83 years, 1 month and 13 days. She was the eldest of nine children born to Enoch and Eliza (Norton) Ellis.

When she was eight years old the family moved to Eastman, Crawford County, Wisconsin. At the age of 11, in August 1872, she came with her parents, three brothers and a sister to Osceola County. They came as far as Algona by train, which was the end of the railroad at that time, then continued their journey by covered wagon and ox team. On August 25, 1872, they settled on their homestead in Section 36 Goewey Township, on the farm which is now known as the Elmer Beldt home.

On January 9, 1884 she was united in marriage to Lyle Daggett. They settled on a farm in Goewey Township and in 1887 they purchased the farm which was their home until 1914 when they moved to Melvin, Iowa.

To this union were born three children: Mrs. Cora Petrich, Mrs. Ida Petrich and Frank W. Daggett all of Sanborn.

Her husband preceded her in death on March 18, 1931. She remained in her home in Melvin until April 1937 when she went to live with her daughters at Sanborn.

Besides her children, she leaves two sisters and two brothers: Mrs. George Kissler of Powell Butte, Oregon, Alvin Ellis of Scappoose, Oregon, Mrs. Eliza L. Rice and Edward Ellis of Russell, Minn. Also fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

On August 13th she was taken seriously ill, and was confined to her bed until the end. Her two sisters and brother Edward, besides her children, were at her bedside when she passed away.

During her early life she experienced the many trails of pioneer life of the 70's. She had told and retold the story of pioneer days, of the grasshopper days and of twisting hay for fuel.

Her father was the leading one in getting the first schoolhouse built where she attended school here. It was always known as the Ellis school and was built on the land that she and her husband afterwards bought for their home.

Mrs. Daggett was a devout Christian and a faithful member of the Methodist church for 46 years, having been converted to the Christian faith in 1898. She was a charter member of the Women's Home Missionary Society of Melvin. She took an active part in the work of the church and was always ready to do her part in helping to forward this work which she dearly loved.

She was a devoted wife and mother and a great home-lover. She loved to do for her children and grandchildren, and was greatly loved by all, for to know her was to love her.

The funeral services were held in the Melvin Methodist Church, Saturday, August 26, 1944 with Rev. Belden Weikel officiating. Interment was in the cemetery at Sibley, Iowa beside her husband.