While it was known that Mrs. J. W. Davis had been in poor health for several years, the word that she was seriously ill since Saturday had not reached many of our citizens and the news of her death came as a shock to many. She passed away about 2 o'clock Monday morning.

Ellen Josephine Cozad, eldest daughter of Sarah and Benjamin Cozad was born near Elvaston, Hancock county, Illinois January 20, 1857; died at DeSoto, Kansas, November 18, 1918, aged 61 years, 9 months and 28 days.

She was married to John W. Davis of Elvaston, Ill., on February 4, 1875. To them were born five children, Nellie M., the wife of W. A. Gordon, Sarah J., now Mrs. Lon Hale, Laura E., Ralph Davis and Myrtle M., wife of Earl Steed. The husband and four children all of whom live in and near DeSoto, survive her, Mrs. Laura E. Gordon having passed away Sept. 7, 1900. She also leaves her mother, Mrs. S. J. Cozad of DeSoto. She was the eldest child of a family of nineteen, of whom seven brothers, including Jack Cozad of this city and four sisters including Mrs. G. W. Gobble of this city are left to mourn for the one they loved. She also leaves seven grandchildren.

She became a Christian in her early girlhood and hers has indeed been a beautiful life--beautiful in its forgetfulness of itself in service for others. She counted no sacrifice too great for her loved ones, and no one who came to her for comfort or aid was sent empty away. It was often said of her: "She is just like a mother to me," and her memory to those who have been privileged to know her will be an incentive to a higher nobler life. For a number of years she was a teacher in the Sunday school at Union Chapel and six members of that class of about twenty years ago acted as pall bearers.

The funeral services, conducted by the Rev. M. U. Ramsburg, were held in the Christian church at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon when hosts of friends made during her twenty-four years among us gathered to pay the last tribute to her memory. The remains were then carried to their last resting place in the DeSoto cemetery.
-----The Altamont Journal, Thursday, 19 December 1918, page 1
Contributor: bluebell (47311898)