MRS. BENJAMIN AYDELOTT 1904
from Jefferson, Iowa newspapers

DIED, at the home of her daughter Mrs. M.L. Frerkson, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Friday, February 19, ELIZA AYDELOTT, aged 67 years, 9 months, and 6 days.

Another mother in Israel has gone to join the silent majority who dwell across the Valley of Death. This time it is one of the pioneer women of our country, who has seen during the fifty years of her residence here the prairies reclaimed from waste and made to blossom with the harvest, while prosperous towns and villages have grown up round about. Her's was a good life, and its influence will continue to be felt not only by the family, but by all others with whom she came in intimate contact, as the days go by. A devoted wife, a kind mother, a faithful friend and a trusting follower of the master, she has left behind her the good name which is rather to be desired than great riches.

ELIZA J.(JANE) RHOADS (RHODES) was born in Champaign County, Illinois, November 13, 1836, and on the 13th day of February, 1855, she was united in marriage with Benjamin Aydelott. To this union were born four sons and five daughters, all of whom save two survive the mother. In the fall of 1856 the family, consisting of father, mother, and infant daughter Mary came to Greene County, and her home has been here ever since. In the year 1886 she united with the Baptist Church under the ministry of Rev. W.E. Randall, and was very much devoted to the work of the denomination. Her husband died in1895, since which time she has made her home with her children. Besides her sons and daughters, she leaves to mourn her two brothers and four sisters, all of whom save one were here to attend the funeral. They are: Mrs. Jacob Winkelman, Mrs. W.H. Adams, Mrs. Herman L. Dresser, Mrs. Wesley Adams, Mr. Alf Rhoads, and Mr. Perry Rhoads.

The funeral occurred from the Baptist Church Wednesday afternoon, February 24, conducted by Rev. Henry Robinson, and was very largely attended. The interment was in the Jefferson Cemetery. The out-of-town relatives present were: Mrs. Herman Dresser, Duluth, MN; Mrs. Wesley Adams, Jamaica; Mrs. Maud Kemp, Jamaica; Joseph Daugherty and daughter, Frazer; Fred Frerkson, Mt. Pleasant; Ben Aydelott and family, Coon Rapids, IA; Only two of the children, Mrs. George Mann and Ben Aydelott were able to attend the funeral, the rest being prevented by illness.

Submitted by: Barbara Corff