Mary Ann (Humphrey) Elmore (1804 - 1873)

Born 5 Dec 1804 in Middlebury, Addison, Vermont, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 31 Jul 1873 at age 68 in Saint Charles, Kane, Illinois, United States

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Biography

MRS. MARY A. ELMORE (née HUMPHREY)

MARY A., third daughter of General Chauncey and Amanda (Sheldon) Humphrey, was born at Middlebury, Vermont, December 5, 1804; married Rev. David W. Elmore, December 5, 1824, and died at the Family Homestead, St. Charles, Illinois, July 31, 1873.

The following tribute to her memory originally appeared in The Standard, Chicago, and was written by Rev. C. A. Quirrell, pastor of the church to which she belonged at the time of her death:

IN MEMORIAM

Mrs. Mary A. Elmore

Every bereavement has its peculiarity. But the loss of a mother is the heaviest of all sorrows. We have but one mother to love, and when called to part with her, there are chords of the soul touched which never have been touched before. The old family mansion, the green fields, the running stream, the trees, the lawn, the flowers may be there, but mother's voice is not heard; her familiar face is not seen; the magic power of her presence is not felt, and the heart feels sad, desolate, and alone.

There are some mothers who seem to be little known outside the family circle. Their life has no salient points to draw attention, and so they pass quietly to their rest. When, however, we find one who has made a deep impression, not only among those in her immediate surroundings, but also on the community at large, we feel compelled to put her name on record, as an encouragement to others.

It is our sad duty, at this time, to record the death of the one whose name stands at the commencement of this memoir. Mary A. Elmore was born in Middlebury, Vermont, December 5, 1804. Her parents having decided to seek a new home, the family left Vermont, and went to Albany, New York. It was here, under the powerful preaching of Dr. Welch, that, at the age of fifteen, she was brought to see her need of the Savior, to feel her dependence on him, and to make an unconditional surrender of herself to God. After being baptized on profession of her faith, she became an active worker among that noble band of Christians, and was "a living epistle known and read of all men." She made her home in Albany until 1824.

On her twentieth birthday she was united in marriage to the Rev. D. W. Elmore, who labored as pastor of several churches, in the State of New York, until 1836. They then removed to the West, and settled at Silver Glen, a beautiful spot on the Fox river, about five miles from the present site of St. Charles, Kane county, Illinois.

Here she really began her work. The Fox Indians had not as yet removed from this section of the country. The smoke from their wigwams still ascended above the trees. The beautiful cities that now line the banks of the noble Fox were, to her mind, objects of the distant future. Chicago, the great metropolis of the Northwest, was, at that time, a village of about 2,000 inhabitants, while all around her was one vast wilderness, with here and there a settler. The garden of the West had not yet put on its beautiful array, nor commenced to attract the attention of the world.

With that energy which characterized her every action, she entered upon her labor. The banner of the cross was unfurled; white settlers and Indians were invited, talked to, prayed with; meetings were held in her own house, at out stations, anywhere, so that sinners might be brought to Christ, souls saved, and God's name glorified. God bless those noble pioneers, who, left home and friends and comforts, to carry Jesus and his love into the solitary place, and make it bloom and blossom like the rose!

Upon the organization of the church at St. Charles, she became a member of it, and continued to be as long as she lived.

On July 29, 1854, by a sudden calamity, she became a widow. Her husband, while in the field near his dwelling, was struck by lightning and instantly killed. He who left home for a short time before, joyful and happy, was brought back a corpse.

Upon recovery from this shock, she immediately assumed sole charge of the household, directing not only the education of her children, but also all the affairs pertaining to the estate. On April 23, 1873, she was taken sick and kept her bed, suffering much until July 31, when, "laying her head on Jesus' breast," she "breathed her soul out sweetly there."

The funeral services were held at the family home. A large number of relatives and friends came together to render the last token of respect to one so highly honored, so deeply loved. She was laid by the side of him whom she gave her heart's affection, and with whom she labored so earnestly, so faithfully, and so well.

"The storm that wreaks the wintry sky,

No more disturbs their calm repose,

Than summer evening's latest sigh

That shuts the rose."

It would be impossible to record in this short, imperfect sketch, her many traits of character. It is not mere words that turn men. It is the heart rising, uncalled, into the expression of the features; it is the eye illumined by reason; it is the look beaming with goodness; it is the soul filled with Jesus; it is the life of purity, consistency, peace. It is this that turns men, and leads them into that higher sphere. Suffice it to say, the departed had these traits in eminent degree; she scattered sunshine wherever she went. Her path was like a bright,. shining light, becoming brighter and brighter as she approached the pearly gates, and drew near to the celestial city.

Her energy, faith and prayer, will be felt by many, long after her clay shall have dissolved in common dust. The children she leaves behind are making their mark in their appropriate spheres of Christian Work. Two of her sons, Jerome H. and Theodore J. Elmore, are deacons of Baptist churches; and her daughters, all of whom have made a profession of faith in Christ, are doing their duty faithfully, in God's appointed way.

"Go, spirit of the sainted dead,

Go to thy longed-for, happy home!

The tears of man are o'er thee shed;

The voice of angels bids thee come.

"Though earth may boast one gem the less,

May not e'en Heaven the richer be?

And myriads on thy footsteps press,

To share thy blest eternity."

Thus we pass away, one by one. The tolling bell, the long funeral train, the garments of mourning, the new-made grave, are daily testimonies that "it is appointed unto men once to die." God grant that when our time shall come, we may be of that number who shall see the Saviour's smiling face, and hear the welcome words: "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

St. Charles, September 22, 1873.

---

In personal appearance she was fair, with dark brown hair and eyes, and good features, with a gentle, kindly expression, and manner exceedingly amiable and pleasant—by many she was considered quite beautiful. She was of good height, though not tall, and during her later years, of a full habit.

Name

Mary Ann Humphrey ^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Birth

5 December 1804 • Middlebury, Vermont, United States ^[5][2][3][4]

Marriage

5 December 1824 • Mary married David William Elmore ^[1][2][3][4]

Children

Mary and David had children: ^[1]

1. Amanda Elizabeth Elmore 1827–1829
2. Mary Amanda Elmore 1829–1880 ^[6]
3. Ann Lovell Elmore 1831–1880 ^[6][2]
4. William Chauncey Elmore 1833–1926 ^[6][2]
5. Elizabeth Rebecca Elmore 1836–1904 ^[6][2]
6. Julia Harriet Elmore 1838–1880 ^[6][2]
7. Jerome Humphrey Elmore 1841–1933 ^[2]
8. Celia Francis Elmore 1843–1843
9. Corroll Edwin Elmore 1843–1845
10. Theodore James Elmore 1844–1884 ^[2]

Residence

1840 • Kane, Illinois, United States ^[6]

1850 • St Charles, Kane, Illinois, United States ^[2]

1860 • St Charles, Kane, Illinois, United States ^[3]

1870 • St Charles, Kane, Illinois, United States ^[4]

Death

31 July 1873 • ...died at the family homestead, St Charles, Kane, Illinois, United States ^[5]

Burial

North Cemetery • St Charles, Kane, Illinois, United States

Section M, Lot 36, Part 13 ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Family Memorials
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9} 1850 Census
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3} 1860 Census
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} 1870 Census
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} FindAGrave.com
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5} 1840 Census

• Elmore, Theodore James Family Memorials in Prose and Verse (Published 1880 by Morning News Steam Printing House; Savannah, GA)

Page 312 Text: On December 5, 1824, he married Miss Mary A. Humphrey, third daughter of General Chauncey Humphrey of Albany, New York, this event occurring before the completion of his theological studies.

• 1840 United States Federal Census Year: 1840; Census Place: Kane, Illinois; Roll: 62; Page: 21; Image: 46; Family History Library Film: 0007643.
  • Text: Name, D W Elmore; Home in 1840 (City, County, State), Kane, Illinois; Total Free White Persons, 8; Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves, 8.
  • NOTE: The information in the 1840 census was rather vague, but, there were two adults and five children alive in 1840 which makes the sum of 8 family members in 1840 in-accurate. It appears that the extra person was a white male age 20-29. As this was a farm, it would be plausible to have a farm hand. Elmore-505 13:57, 9 December 2015 (EST)
  • Household Members: Except for the head of house, no others were listed, but, it is easy to assume that the following would have been included:

D W Elmore

Mary Ann Humphrey-Elmore

Mary Amanda Elmore’’’

Ann Lovell Elmore

William Chauncey Elmore

Elizabeth Rebecca Elmore

Julia Harriet Elmore

Un-named Male Age 20-29

• 1850 United States Federal Census Year: 1850; Census Place: St Charles, Kane, Illinois; Roll: M432_112; Page: 125B; Image: 363.
  • Household Members: Home in 1850: St Charles, Kane, Illinois, USA. Family Number: 1835.

Davie W Elmore; Age, 57; Birth Year, abt 1793; Birthplace, New York; Gender, Male.

Mary A Elmore; Age, 46; Birth Year, abt 1804; Birthplace, Vermont; Gender, Female.

Anne Elmore; Age, 19; Birth Year, abt 1831; Birthplace, Massachusetts; Gender, Female.

William C Elmore; Age, 16; Birth Year, abt 1834; Birthplace, New York; Gender, Male.

Rebecca Elmore; Age, 14; Birth Year, abt 1836; Birthplace, Illinois; Gender, Female.

Julia Elmore; Age, 10; Birth Year, abt 1840; Birthplace, Illinois; Gender, Female.

Jerome Elmore; Age, 8; Birth Year, abt 1842; Birthplace, Illinois; Gender, Male.

James Elmore; Age, 5; Birth Year, abt 1845; Birthplace, Illinois; Gender, Male.

• 1860 United States Federal Census Year: 1850; Census Place: St Charles, Kane, Illinois; Roll: M432_112; Page: 125B; Image: 363.
  • Household Members: Home in 1860: St Charles, Kane, Illinois. Post Office: St Charles. Family Number: 449.

Mary A Elmore; Age, 46; Birth Year, abt 1814; Birthplace, Gender, Female; New York; Occupation, Widow.

Wm C Elmore; Age, 26; Birth Year, abt 1834; Gender, Male; Birthplace, New York; Occupation, Farner.

Rabecca Elmore; Age, 21; Birth Year, abt 1839; Gender, Female; Birthplace, Illinois; Occupation, Serving.

Julia H Elmore; Age, 19; Birth Year, abt 1841; Gender, Female; Birthplace, Illinois; Occupation, Serving.

Jeromia H Elmore; Age, 18; Birth Year, abt 1842; Gender, Male; Birthplace, Illinois; Occupation, Farmer.

James T Elmore; Age, 16; Birth Year, abt 1844; Gender, Male; Birthplace, Illinois; Occupation, Farmer.

• 1870 United States Federal Census Year: 1870; Census Place: St Charles, Kane, Illinois; Roll: M593_237; Page: 467A; Image: 522; Family History Library Film: 545736.
  • Household Members: Home in 1870: St Charles, Kane, Illinois, USA.

J H Elmore; Age, 29; Birth Year, abt 1841; Birthplace, Illinois; Race, White; Gender, Male; Occupation, Farmer.

Emeline S Elmore; Age, 25; Birth Year, abt 1845; Birthplace, Illinois; Race, White; Gender, Female.

Clarance J Elmore; Age, 3/12; Birth Year, abt 1870; Birthplace, Illinois; Race, White; Gender, Male.

Chas Anderson; Age, 14; Birth Year, abt 1856; Birthplace, Sweden; Race, White; Gender, Male; Occupation, Farm Laborer.

M A Elmore; Age, 65; Birth Year, abt 1805; Birthplace, New York; Race, White; Gender, Female.

Christian Peterson; Age, 14; Birth Year, abt 1856; Birthplace, Illinois; Race, White; Gender, Female; Occupation, Domestic Svt.

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 01 June 2020), memorial page for Mary Ann Humphrey Elmore (5 Dec 1804–31 Jul 1873), Find a Grave Memorial no. 14944406, citing North Cemetery, Saint Charles, Kane County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by DHM (contributor 46820373) .

Name: Mary Ann Elmore

Birth Date: 5 Dec 1804

Birth Place: Nassau, Rensselaer County, New York, United States of America

Death Date: 31 Jul 1873

Cemetery: North Cemetery

Burial or Cremation Place: Saint Charles, Kane County, Illinois, United States of America

Has Bio?: Y