Kate (Fridley) Graves' story was not extraordinary in late 19th century Iowa. She had married John S. Graves at Newbern at age 15 and given birth to five children, four of whom died as infants and were buried in the Newbern Cemetery. Afflicted with tuberculosis herself, she was only 35 when she died during February of 1895 at Redding in Ringgold County, where her husband --- a telegraph operator employed by the railroad --- was stationed at the time.
Perhaps at her request, the remains were returned to Newbern for burial beside her lost children, as reported as follows in The Chariton Democrat of Feb. 15, 1895:
Mrs. John Graves of Redding died at her home on February 8th of consumption. The remains were brought to this city on Monday evening and on Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock funeral services were held at Newbern, conducted by Rev. Fry of Mt. Pleasant after which interment took place. The deceased will be remembered by the older citizens of Newbern as Miss Kate Fridley. Prior to their removal to Ringgold county Mr. and Mrs. Graves resided at Oakley where Mr. Graves had charge of the telegraph office. Mrs. Graves leaves a husband and one son to mourn her death and who have the sympathy of many friends in this county in their great affliction.
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There is more to Kate's story, however, as reported in an obituary published some months later in The Universalist, an official publication of the denomination of that name, issued in Cincinnati:
Born in Bates Co., Mo., March 10, 1860, Kate Louanza Fridley died Feb. 8, 1895, at Redding, Iowa. She was married to John Samuel Graves Dec. 26, 1875, at the Methodist Episcopal church at Newbern Iowa. Mrs. Graves was in earlier life a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but growing out of the narrow faith she withdrew by letter fifteen years ago and during the later months of her life she fully entered into the spirit of the Universalist faith. Had there been a Universalist church near her, she would have become a member.
Mrs. Graves endeared herself to all who came in contact with her and left a host of friends who are witnesses of her many excellent traits of character and who testify that she was a noble and true woman. She was the mother of five children, three boys and two girls, four of whom passed into higher and diviner life in infancy. She leaves a husband and one son, John Murray (named for the father of our precious faith) to mourn the loss of one to them so dear. All that was mortal of this dear one was laid to rest at Newbern, Iowa, Rev. J.E. Keyes officiating, and giving consolation to the bereaved hearts from text chosen by deceased from Jno. xiv. 1-3. So the Light from the heights beyond shines back upon us to guide and comfort.
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It's not unusual to find Universalists in Iowa during the late 19th century --- there were many congregations scattered around the state. But none in Lucas or Marion counties, Methodist and Presbyterian strongholds, so that makes Kate, resting now among more conventional protestants, somewhat unique.
Universalist theology was similar in many respects to that of other Christian denominations. The major exception involved universal reconciliation. Universalists believed that all of humanity, without exception, would be reconciled to its maker through the instrument of Jesus Christ. Hellfire and damnation, standard fare for most protestants, were looked upon as human inventions.
Universalists also tended to be reformers, proponents of womens suffrage and formed the first protestant denomination to ordain women as ministers.
Universalists and Unitarians got together during the 20th century to form the Unitarian Universalist Association of America, still represented by several Iowa congregations.
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John Graves remarried after Kate's death, but had no additional children. He died in Florida during 1945. Their son, Murray Louis Graves, went on to become a physician. He died in Louisiana during 1942.
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