Russell's Elizabeth (LaFollette) Connolly generally was recognized as Lucas County's oldest resident when the centennial of her April 6, 1820, birth approached during late March of 1920.
In good health and perfectly coherent, despite the years, the following from The Chariton Leader of March 25 was among the tributes. The author, identified only as "Bob," did his best --- but it's all fairly generic. Still, if she were my ancestor I'd have clipped it and pasted it in a scrapbook.
It does contain an interesting reference to Mrs. Connolly's acquaintance with the Rev. Thomas Woodrow, maternal grandfather of President Woodrow Wilson, and the president's mother, Jessie Janet (Woodrow) Wilson.
Here's the text, published under the headline, "100 Years of Age: And in the prime of health, is the record of Mrs. Elizabeth Connolly of Russell, Iowa" ---
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Elizabeth LaFollette was born in Alexandria, Virginia, April 6, 1820. While yet a mere child she moved with her parents to Guernsey county, Ohio. Her Ohio home was a small one-room log cabin, having one door and two small windows. It was in her Ohio home that she made her acquaintance with pioneer life. It was in her Ohio home that she first was caused to realize the hardships and joys as an early settler in a new country. Here she grew to womanhood with the full accomplishments of pioneer womanhood. She learned to weave her own flax and woolen clothing, and to do the many other tasks of the household such as are now scarcely thought of in these happy days of a century later. One of her blessings of life is in knowing that she did her part in making life easier for those to live in days to come.
Her early training was not as easily accomplished as of today. Her schooling, as of all of that day, was accomplished only by struggling and toiling under unimaginable difficulties. Schools were few and time of session was short. Singing schools were one of the leading features of interest and attraction. In attending these schools she was required to ride horseback.
She tells of how she would ride with the teacher (Mr. T. Woodrow), grandfather of President Wilson. In this way she became acquainted with Mr. Woodrow's daughter (Wilson's mother).
She was married April 7, 1842, to Mr. James G. Connolly, also of Guernsey county, Ohio. To this union were born nine children, of which five are still living. Namely, Mrs. F. M. McKinley, Neosho Falls, Kansas; Mrs. Jeff McKinley, Russell, Iowa; Alexander Connolly, El Reno, Okla.; Chas. Connolly, St. Paul, Minn.; Miss Addie Connolly, Russell, Iowa. Addie lives with her mother and does all in her power to make life a great joy in old age.
The Connolly family moved from Ohio to Iowa in 1853, residing at Unionville. Unionville was their place of residence until after the death of Mr. James G. Connolly in 1898. Then, Mrs. Connolly and daughter came to Russell so that they could be near other relatives, namely her brother, Adam LaFollette, and daughter, Mrs. Jeff McKinley, and others.
She was converted with a girl of 13 years of age, and has ever been a faithful christian. It was always her custom to depend upon heavenly power to direct her through her trials and troubles. She is content when she knows she has done all in her power to help the needy. She has often said that nobody ever left her door hungry. She can truly say that she has wronged no one. Justice and faithfulness are the key words of her life. Often when alone she would be heard singing songs of her girlhood days or songs sacred to her memories.
When war was declared against Germany she began praying that right might win. She prayed always that the boys might live and return in as pure a life as when they left. She often remarked that she hoped that she might be spared to see the boys come back. When a relative of hers returned after two years' absence, she grasped his hand with a firm, hearty grasp, exclaiming, "Thank God, my prayer has been answered." Then she told her story of how she had so faithfully kept him in mind throughout those two long years. Her letters always had one request, "live right and keep cheerful."
To old age respect should be given. To the life of Mrs. Elizabeth Connolly, which has been one continuous struggle of a century, we might say that respect alone could not pay her for her goodness to those who know her, and have been influenced by her life. As an humble tribute we join in wishing her many more years of happiness and that she might at all times have all that life can possess.
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Elizabeth had nearly two more years to enjoy life after her centennial, and it would appear that she did since her death during January of 1922 was described as a "surprise" and noted that she "was apparently in good health and no one thought she would leave so soon."
Here's her obituary from The Herald Patriot of Jan. 19, 1922, which provides many of the details missing in the previous tribute. Thanks to Doris Christensen and Find a Grave for the image of her tombstone in the Russell Cemetery.
The Herald-Patriot, with deep regret, chronicles the death of one of Lucas county's most beloved women, Mrs. Elizabeth Connolly, of Russell, which occurred at her home there on Thursday, January 12, 1922, at the unusual age of 101 years, 9 months and 6 days.
Grandma's death was rather a surprise to her many friends, as she was apparently in good health and no one thought she would leave so soon.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Matsler at 2 o'clock on Saturday at the Christian church and interment was made in the Russell cemetery.
Elizabeth LaFollette was born at Old Alexandria, Va., on April 6th, 1820, of French-English parentage. She was the oldest of a family of thirteen children. At the age of 8 years she moved with her parents to Guernsey county, Ohio, making the trip overland with a team and covered wagon. Ohio, at that time was a very wild country and the settlers were compelled to suffer a great many hardships.
On April 7, 1842, she was united in marriage to James G. Connolly, at her home in Ohio. They resided there, where Mr. Connolly followed the carpenter's trade, until the spring of 1853, when they came to Unionville, Iowa, where he continued his work as a carpenter.
About one-half the buildings he erected in Unionville are still standing. He also assisted in the work of mapping out and surveying Appanoose county. On September 28, 1898, Mr. Connolly passed away at the age of 77 years in the home at Unionville.
They were the parents of nine children, three of whom died in infancy, and one son, William, died at the age of two years. The remaining five are Mrs. Margaret McKinley, of Neosho Falls, Kansas; A. R. Connolly, of El Reno, Okla.; C. H. Connolly, of New York City; Mrs. Belle McKinley and Miss Addie Connolly, of Russell. She is also survived by twelve grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, and one sister and two brothers, who reside in Ohio.
At the age of 12 years, she confessed her faith in the Saviour and became a member of the Lutheran church. After her removal to Iowa, she transferred her membership to the Christian church and remained a faithful worker until her advanced age made it impossible for her to take an active part.
She was a kind and devoted wife and mother, a true and faithful Christian. Of late years, she was unable to see but would take her Bible and quote chapter after chapter as well as one could read it.
"Grandma" never experienced any severe illness until about three years ago, when she was stricken with the flu but preceding her death she had regained her former health and was able to go to the table for her meals and also walked from room to room unassisted.
In 1903, Grandma and her daughter, Miss Addie, moved to Russell where they have resided continuously since. One of the largest funeral services ever conducted in Russell was that of Mrs. Connolly's, which was evidence that she numbered her friends by her acquaintances.
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