Mary E. Wilcox, daughter of Stephen and Sabrina Wilcox, was born Dec. 28, 1848 in Illinois. She passed away Dec. 21, 1926 at the age of 77 years, 11 months, and 24 days.

In 1854 she moved with her parents to Wright county and settled on the prairie in Troy. At that time she was only a little girl and the country was new. The settlers cut trees and made log houses, broke the virgin soil of the prairie and raised what they called “sod corn”. There was a little colony who settled near what is now the Eighth district.

The first church services were held in the Wilcox home and when there were more folks they built the Troy M. E. church where services were held until the advent of the automobile when the farmers began coming to town to church.

These were the people that knew real hardships. The nearest mill was at Iowa City where they went to have grain ground. They later went to Cedar Falls then to Iowa Falls, and finally a mill was built in Webster City and they thought they were almost living in town.

She was united in marriage to J. B. Orr in 1864 (October 25, 1867 according to Illinois Marriage Index for Christian County per Leslie Lewis, a FAG contributor). Twelve children were born to this union, one passing away in infancy and another, Viola, at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Orr lived on a farm in Troy township for a number of years when they moved to Minnesota. After four years they returned to Troy, remaining for a time and then moved to Kansas, where they remained three years and again returned to Troy. In 1902 they retired from the farm and came to Eagle Grove where Mr. Orr passed away on Oct. 13, 1912. She has since made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Noah Thorn of Eagle Grove.

She leaves to mourn her passing her children, whose names are given in the order of their ages: Henry Charles and John Frederick of Eagle Grove, Thomas of Freeman, Minn., James Burton and Jesse of Eagle Grove, Frank of Ottumwa, S. Dak., Lottie B. Thorne of Eagle Grove, Jennie Irene Nichols of Chicago, and Louis whose address is unknown. Among the relatives are six living brothers, 34 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Orr was truly a wonderful woman. She was not a public woman but lived her life and exercised her influence in her home. She was a praying woman and testified to the saving power of Jesus Christ.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church, the sermon being preached by Rev. W. G. Muhleman. Interment was made in Rose Hill cemetery.

With sadness we come,
and sympathy send;
Each morning the loss
of a mother or friend.

Source: EAGLE GROVE EAGLE, December 30, 1926, page 1



Age: 78 yrs; 11 mo; 22 da
Burial December 22, 1926



Source: Foust Funeral Home, Eagle Grove, IA
Source: wrightgenie