Mrs. Freelove Moore died at the home of her daughter, Mrs.
Mattie Austin in Davenport, Iowa, Friday, March 16. She was subject to heart
trouble but was otherwise in good health. She waked about twelve o'clock, spoke
to her daughter and died in a few minutes. The body was brought here for burial,
which took place at Union Cemetery on Sunday afternoon after services at the
Christian Church. By her request there was no sermon, but F.N. Johnson read a
chapter which she had selected and the choir sang some of her favorite songs.
The coffin was borne by six of her grandsons. Another request that she made was
that no hearse be used. Freelove Groves was born near Ewing Station, Fleming
County, Ky, Sept 5, 1812. While young she removed to Indiana, where on February
16, 1837, she married Robert S. Moore, also a native of Kentucky. They moved
onto the place south of town where she has since made her home. Eight children
were born: Mrs. Lydia Farmer, William Wallace, John T, Mrs. Mattie Austin,
David, George, Mrs. Dora Hand and Robert. Of these only George and Mrs. Austin
are living. Mr. Moore died June 16, 1851. When the Civil War came on, the four
older boys enlisted; William in the 15th, John T. and David in the 60th and
George in the 4th Regiment. Robert was but a boy at the time. While nearly all
her children have preceded her, she leaves a brother, Benjamin Groves, who lives
in Union Mills, Iowa; 28 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 3 great,
great grandchildren. The latter are the two children of Mrs. Pearl Brant and the
child of Mrs. Willie Clark. She joined the Christian Church in early childhood
and has always been a faithful member, attending whenever able. As long as her
strength permitted she insisted on keeping house at the old homestead, but of
late years, she has made her home among her children. The following tribute was
read at the funeral by F.N. Johnson: It has been my fortune to be acquainted
with Aunt Freelove (as we called her) for 50 years. Her cheerful, contented
disposition was inspiring; her hospitality proverbial; her hand open to the
needy, and her heart full of sympathy for the sorrowing. Her manner was
unassuming and simplicity itself, but she had the inner adorning of a loving
heart. But it is unnecessary for me to enumerate the many sterling qualities of
her character for her life was spent among us and was an open book, known and
appreciated, by all of her acquaintances. Aunt Freelove was not afraid to die.
She was willing and waiting and so expressed her self to me, goodbye and said
she did not expect she would ever see me again on earth but hoped to meet me in
a better land. She also suggested the character of the funeral services to her
son George and myself, and as a last tribute to respect to her memory we are
trying to carry out her wishes.
Waveland Independent, Montgomery County, Indiana March 22, 1906