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Sophronia Elsetta Whitcomb DeLong

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Birth	:	13 Jul 1834 Ontario, Canada
Death	:	1 Jan 1925 Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	St. Chad Churchyard, Kirkby, Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, England
Coordinate	:	53.4842890, -2.8930700
Description	:	Council Bluffs Nonpareil (Council Bluffs, Iowa) January 1, 1925 MRS. DELONG, WIFE OF REV. UNCLE HENRY, DIES AT THE HOME ______________________ Sophronia E. DeLong, wife of "Uncle Henry" pioneer missionary and minister, died Thursday morning at 7 o'clock at the home 525 East Broadway. Mrs. DeLong was 90 years old on July 13, 1924, about two months the senior of her husband. Mrs. DeLong was a pioneer of Council Bluffs and one of it's oldest and most ardent... Read More	Council Bluffs Nonpareil (Council Bluffs, Iowa) January 1, 1925 MRS. DELONG, WIFE OF REV. UNCLE HENRY, DIES AT THE HOME ______________________ Sophronia E. DeLong, wife of "Uncle Henry" pioneer missionary and minister, died Thursday morning at 7 o'clock at the home 525 East Broadway. Mrs. DeLong was 90 years old on July 13, 1924, about two months the senior of her husband. Mrs. DeLong was a pioneer of Council Bluffs and one of it's oldest and most ardent workers in the charity and religious field. She had been an invalid for two years, following an accident in which she fractured her hip and from which she never fully recovered. Her last illness was of short duration, and death was due to pneumonia. Mrs. DeLong, whose maiden name was Sophronia E. Whitcomb, was born in Lundy's Lane, Canada on July 13, 1834. Her family came here about 1850. In 1862 she married Mr. Henry DeLong in this city, the ceremony occurring in the old John Hammer home on Benton street. Rev. John W. Todd of the Methodist church performed the ceremony. For a wedding trip, the newly married couple drove with a horse and buggy to Magnolia, in Harrison, county. Ten children were born to the DeLongs, but only two survive, Henry, of this city and Harvey A. of Kansas City, Mo. Life of Sacrifice Mrs. DeLong was one of the charter members and the last survivor of the charter members of the Broadway M.E. church of the city. Her entire life was spent in religious and charitable work and it has been one of sacrifice in those endeavors. Many a poor and needy family has recollections of sacrifices she has made in ministering to their wants. She was ever ready to tramp through the storms with provisions or money to aid the hungry, ill or bereaved. In her early girlhood in this vicinity Mrs. DeLong taught school in Crescent City and many prominent people of that section today, were pupils of hers in those pioneer days. There was something intensely human and beautiful in the union of Rev. Delong and Mrs. DeLong. At their union they made a pledge that they would " earn all they could, save all they could and give all they could" Also they gave a pledge that they should always pray whenever they should separate. These two pledges have never been violated, Rev. DeLong declares. Recently as his wife's illness became more acute and it was noticeable that she was failing, "Uncle Henry" has made a practice of keeping little memorandums from day to day. Following are the last memorandums he made Thursday morning: Uncle Henry's Notes: "January 1, 1925, 5:30 o'clock, As the new year goes out and the new year comes in, I am having an experience such as I have never had before. Mrs. Delong is slowly passing away. A few hours more and I must go the rest of the way alone. But I cannot write now, only to say that I shall by the grace of God keep my head and heart unto the end. "It is now 8:30 o'clock and the river is between me and the one who has made it possible for "Uncle Henry" to make a success of life. Her life has been one of sacrifice for others and most all for the man for who she gave her life and toll. "Uncle Henry" DeLong, the surviving husband, while a nonagenarian himself, is yet hale and goes about his religious duties each day. He came here July 3, 1846, and was 12 years old in September of that same year. He joined the Des Moines conference in 1870 at Boone under Bishop Ames and traveled the Council Bluffs circuit as a circuit rider for four years. he first started on his rounds on horseback but soon found out that he must look out for his daily bread in some manner, preaching every evening and three times on Sundays, and working at his trade of well digging during the day. In those days $400 per year was a large sum for a circuit rider or minister, but he managed to get the conference to allow him a salary of $800 a year, which was considered a record breaker. While Mrs. DeLong's mentality failed during her last days, yet she was able to offer a daily prayer up to and including Wednesday, the day preceding her death. This was her joint prayer at parting for herself and husband as he left for his office in the court house. The prayers were intelligent and forceful until the last. The body was removed to King's funeral home pending funeral arrangements. The funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church. Rev. F.F. Case officiating, assisted by the other Methodist ministers of the city and other members of the ministerial association. Rev. DeLong is a charter member of the ministerial association. Burial will be in Fairview cemetery. __________________________________________________________ Council Bluffs Nonpareil January 2, 1925 PRAY AT PARTING AS DURING LIFE The funeral of Mrs. Sophronia E. DeLong, wife of "Uncle Henry" DeLong, pioneer missionary and minister, will be held, Saturday afternoon, at 2:29 0'clock from the Broadway M. E. Church. Rev. E. F. Case officiating assisted by other ministers of the ministerial association. Just as was their custom in life to pray together before parting, "Uncle Henry" at the services will take the hand of of the departed in his and offer up his final supplication. Harvey A. DeLong, son of Rev. and Mrs. DeLong, of Kansas City, and his wife, arrived here Friday to attend the funeral. Burial will be in Fairview cemetery. _________________________________________________ Council Bluffs Nonpareil January 4, 1925 TRIBUTE TO MRS DELONG IN FUNERAL __________________ POOR AND RICH PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO DEPARTED ONE __________________ "UNCLE HENRY IN PRAYER" ___________________ Aged Husband Grasps the Hand of Mate at Bier and Utters Words of Parting , as Was The Custom. ____________________ The funeral of Mrs. Sophronia E. DeLong, wife of "Uncle Henry DeLong, pioneer missionary and minister was held Saturday afternoon at the Broadway M. E. church in the presence of a throng of friends that almost filled the edifice. The crowd that came to pay it's last respects to the pioneer resident and church worker, was thoroughly consistent with the occasion. There were the poor that knew her for the charitable work she had done for years and the Christian spirit she always maintained. There also were those of richer classes who loved and respected the woman for her Christian character. The worker from the street was there and rubbed elbows with the mayor of the city. The funeral services were in charge of Rev. E. F. Case, pastor of the church, who was assisted by other ministers of the city. Rev. Buchanan of the Epworth M.E. church read the scriptures, Rev. R. E. Harvey of the Fifth Avenue M. E. church led in prayer and Rev. Higgenbotham of the Dodge Memorial Congregational church gave a short talk on behalf of the ministerial association of this city. A touching feature of the service was when "Uncle Henry" DeLong, the bereaved husband, who is over 90 years of age, grasped the hand of his departed mate and gave a simple prayer and farewell at the side of the bier. This was in accordance with the custom the couple the couple, both over 90 years of age, had followed through life, to always pray together before separating on any occasion. In his remarks, Rev. Case referred feelingly to the Christian character of Mrs. DeLong and the charitable traits that had endeared her to her friends. Music was furnished by a mixed quartet composed of Miss Bernice Hess, Miss Margaret Herwig, Mr. Frederick Albertson and Mr. H.R. Ehler, with Mrs. F.F. Case at the pipe organ. One of the selections was " I Am Nearer My Father's House Than 'Eer I Was Before," a favorite of Mrs. DeLongs. There was a profusion of flowers, tributes of her friends, that all but concealed the casket. Members of the G.A.r. and W.R.C. attended the services in a body. The pallbearers were Joe Smith, H.W. Hazelton, F.H.Orcutt, J.H. Killins, Cal Hafer and A. L. Mickel. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Sophronia Elsetta Whitcomb DeLong's memorial?
Sophronia Elsetta Whitcomb DeLong's memorial is located at: St. Chad Churchyard, Kirkby, Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, England.
When did Sophronia Elsetta Whitcomb DeLong death?
Sophronia Elsetta Whitcomb DeLong death on 1 Jan 1925 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Sophronia Elsetta Whitcomb DeLong's memorial?
Latitude: 53.4842890
Longitude: -2.8930700

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Henry Peter DeLong

(1834 - 1927)

Siblings

Children

(unknow - unknow)

(unknow - unknow)

(1863 - 1864)

(1864 - 1867)

William Henry “Willie” DeLong

(1869 - unknow)

Albert Arthur DeLong

(1869 - 1871)

George Washington Delong

(1872 - 1894)

Jennie Elsetta DeLong

(1874 - unknow)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. St. Chad Churchyard
Kirkby, Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, England
Coordinate: 53.4842890, -2.8930700

2. Melling Churchyard
Melling, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England
Coordinate: 53.4953370, -2.9228780

3. St Thomas and the Holy Rood Churchyard
Melling, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England
Coordinate: 53.4954510, -2.9227850

4. St Swithins Churchyard
Liverpool, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4585631, -2.9012280

5. West Derby Cemetery
West Derby, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4513790, -2.9154630

6. West Derby Jewish Cemetery
Liverpool, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4504986, -2.9137393

7. Kirkdale Cemetery
Liverpool, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4672530, -2.9479800

8. St. Mary's Churchyard
Knowsley, Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley, England
Coordinate: 53.4561960, -2.8528580

9. Aintree Racecourse Grounds
Aintree Village, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England
Coordinate: 53.4733880, -2.9549700

10. St. Andrew Churchyard
Maghull, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England
Coordinate: 53.5104770, -2.9428820

11. Long Lane Jewish Cemetery
Liverpool, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4550140, -2.9420480

12. Everton Cemetery
Everton, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4555430, -2.9442480

13. Sefton Parish Churchyard
Sefton, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England
Coordinate: 53.5044060, -2.9712190

14. Rice Lane Jewish Cemetery
Walton, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4521700, -2.9590600

15. Friends Burial Ground
Bickerstaffe, West Lancashire District, England
Coordinate: 53.5347720, -2.8748780

16. GreenAcres Cemetery
Rainford, Metropolitan Borough of St Helens, England
Coordinate: 53.4713530, -2.8064280

17. Walton Park Cemetery
Walton, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4564370, -2.9695960

18. Bootle Cemetery
Bootle, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England
Coordinate: 53.4627680, -2.9787450

19. Yew Tree Roman Catholic Cemetery
West Derby, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4285700, -2.8790700

20. Holy Trinity Church
Bickerstaffe, West Lancashire District, England
Coordinate: 53.5318400, -2.8383400

21. St Mary the Virgin Churchyard
Walton, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4464930, -2.9673330

22. Ford Cemetery
Ford, Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, England
Coordinate: 53.4824040, -2.9925980

23. Saint Michael's Churchyard
Aughton, West Lancashire District, England
Coordinate: 53.5419170, -2.9197240

24. Anfield Cemetery and Crematorium
Anfield, Metropolitan Borough of Liverpool, England
Coordinate: 53.4354680, -2.9578100