Mary Margaret (LEECH) MILLER BURKS

LEECH, MILLER, BURKS, DOUGLAS, MILBURN, WALLACE, SCOFIELD

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/18/2009 at 18:24:15

OBITUARY.

One of the oldest pioneers of the county passed away last week, Mrs. Mary BURKS dying Wednesday, June 1, 1904, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James B. DOUGLAS in Ontario, Canada. Mrs. BURKS left Redding [Iowa] last fall being in poor health at that time and died after a lingering illness.

Mary M. LEECH was born June 8, 1833, in Rockbridge County, Virginia and came west in 1854 with her first husband, John A[ddison]. MILLER and their two small children. After living in eastern Iowa for two years they settled to Ringgold County in 1856. They endured the hardships incident to pioneer life together until the Civil War began, when Mr. MILLER went to the front with the Fourth Iowa Infantry. He fell in battle at the siege of Vicksburg, leaving this widow with two small children, the oldest only ten years of age to struggle with poverty. They bravely endured the hardship of war times until 1866 when Mrs. MILLER married to H. R. BURKS. Mr. BURKS died in 1869, his widow being left to struggle to inslate in and educate a family of six which she bravely did until they became of age to provide for themselves. She spent her later years with her children who are as follows: S[ydney]. W. MILLER of Hutchinson, Kansas, James L. MILLER of Pootownship, Mr. L. T. MILBURN of Bercloud, Colorado, Mrs. W. J. WALLACE of Tioma, Washington, Mrs. James B. DOUGLAS of Ontario, Canada, and Mrs. SCOFIELD of California.

Mrs. BURKS was raised as Presbyterian, being a member of that church fr om early life, but joined the Methodist church for a time when her town was not convenient. During her last illness, which was a general breakdown of the whole system, she showed Christian fortitude maintaining a firm trust to come to her relief.

The remains arrived in Redding yesterday (Monday) morning in charge of Mr. and Mrs. DOUGLAS of Ontario. The funeral was held at Middle Fork chapel yesterday forenoon, conducted by Rev. W. O. WOOLEVER. An immense number of people from all the surrounding country came to pay the last tribute of respect to their old friend and neighbor.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2009