A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for Mary Leonard
Council Bluffs Nonpareil, 4 Jul 1916 (obtained from John Wanamaker):
DEATH OF MRS. MARY L. EVERETT
PROMINENT PIONEER WOMAN DIES SUDDENLY IN KANSAS CITY.
LIVED HERE SIXTY YEARS
Mrs. Everett Had Been Resident of Council Bluffs Since 1854. -- Came Here From South With Her Slaves, Whom She Freed.
Word was received here Monday of the death of Mrs. Mary Leonard Everett, widow of the late Horace Everett and resident of this city since 1854, which occurred at Kansas City, Mo., where she went a few weeks ago for a visit with her only daughter, Mrs. J. A. L. Waddell. Mrs. Everett had been in failing health for several months, but was enjoying a visit with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived by two sons, Leonard Everett of this city and Torrey Everett of Pasadena, Calif. and one daughter, Mrs. Waddell, at whose home she died. She also leaves five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. The grandchildren have always been frequent visitors at the Everett home and were one and all devoted to Madame Everett, as she was called by her friends.
Mrs Everett will be brought here for burial beside her husband in the family lot in Fairview cemetery. The body will arrive Wednesday morning and arrangements will be made for the funeral as soon as word can be received from the relatives. Mr and Mrs Leonard Everett, who were in Colorado, started at once for home upon receipt of the news.
Mrs Everett was born in Fayette Mo. and was a daughter of Judge Abiel Leonard of the supreme court of Missouri. Married at the age of 17, she lived with her husband for several years in Alabama before they came to Council Bluffs. Coming here in 1854, they made their home at the Pacific house, then located on the present site of the Beno [?] store, until Mr. Everett could build a home for his family, which stood on the lot now owned by Leonard Everett's office. Later they built the large house on Second avenue, where Mrs. Everett has made her home for more than forty years.
A southern gentlewoman, she came north with her slaves but quickly realized their freedom and mastered the situation of a frontier town, and no house in this part of the state was more noted for its gracious hospitality than was hers. Through all the long years of her residence here she was most loyal to the city of her adoption, and devoted to her family and her friends. Although past the age allowed in frail human nature, she was always young in spirit and heart, progressed with the age, and was greatly beloved by all who came in contact with her sweet womanly nature.
During all the years of her residence here she was actively identified with the work of St. Paul's church, of which she was a member. For many years she served as a member of the library board, her husband having been active in that work before her. She was one of the founders of the first woman's club in Council Bluffs, the Every Thursday club, of which only three members now survive. During the recent campaign for equal suffrage no one was more interested than Madame Everett, who was keenly desirous of once voting for president, remarking to a relative that if she could do that she would feel that she had not lived in vain.
While it was known that she was not well this summer, the news of her death came as a shock to her many friends, who deeply mourn the loss of a woman who had so long been identified with the progress of the city.
The square brackets are in the version as received from John Wanamaker.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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