Obituary for Martha E. Giles Burgess (1845-1916)
Uncited clippings from the "Mattie Davis Martin Collection" of Doris Martin Jablonski, 1998.

Martha E. GILES BURGESS, was born February 21, 1845 and died August 11, 1916, being at the time of her death, 71 years, 5 months and 21 days old. The subject of this sketch was the daughter of Vaden and Nancy GILES, and was born and grew up to womanhood near Linns Mill, in this county. On October 29, 1862, she was married to Matthew BURGESS, who owned a part of the Judge KNIPMEYER farm, south of Hawk Point, and there they spent the first years of their married life. To this union fourteen children were born, twelve of whom are living and were at her bedside when the spirit was called from that mortal body to that home prepared for her over the river of death. Thomas, her oldest son was called home in 1902; Lydia, at the age of 18 months was taken home as a most precious jewel. She leaves her faithful companion, who has shared the joys and sorrows of her life nearly 54 years, and twelve children, namely: Mrs. Pete YEATER, and Mrs. Warren NICHOLS, OF Troy George, Erett, Moley and Mrs. George GILES, of Hawk Point; Tipton and Johnnie, of Jonesburg, Joe and Walter, near Warrenton; Willie of Supply Oklahoma and Mrs. Gifford YOCUM, of St. Louis, also 32 grandchildren to mourn her death and to be a comfort and hope upon which the aged husband and father can lean upon in these dark hours of sadness.

Cousin Martha, in the year of 1882, under the preaching of the late Rev. T. A. ABBOTT, confessed to her Saviour and united with the Hawk Point Christian church of which she was a member. Her life was given to the making of a happy home for her family, and she was never happier than when she had by her, children and their children in her home. Besides the rearing of this large family, she took her grandson, Lee BURGESS, who was made an orphan by the death of his mother while he was yet an infant, took him to her bosom and reared him to manhood as her son. Besides these cares she always found the time to wait upon the sick and help her neighbors when in need. We can truly say that there are stars in her crown, yes, many of them.  Cousin Martha was in her usual health, going about her family duties when a stroke of apoplexy struck her Wednesday morning, August 9th. Medical skill brought no relief.

Sunday morning, at 10 o’clock her body was born to the Baptist church, where words of comfort were spoken by Rev. O. A. GORDON, a cousin of hers. The text was taken from the 14th chapter of John. The large gathering and the beautiful floral offering bespoke the high esteem in which she was held. Her grandsons acted as pallbearers. From the church her body was taken to the Hawk Point Cemetery and gently laid in its last resting place. Husband, children and grandchildren, we know she whom you loved is gone, not to come back, but you can go to her. How glad she will be to meet you over there when you are called home. Will you not so shape your lives here on earth that you can go to her? She leaves a sister, Mrs. W,. CONLEY, and two brothers, Richard and Willie GILES, all of near Hawk Point.  Let us all put our trust in God that we may be united in one great family over there. C. A. H.

CARD OF THANKS - We want to thank all who so kindly assisted us in our sad bereavement, for their kindly help. Words cannot express our gratitude. Mrs. ALLEN has our heartfelt thanks for her untiring efforts at the telephone to help us. Matthew BURGESS and family.

Note regarding clippings from the "Mattie Davis Martin Collection":   Mattie Davis Martin (1875-1943) lived all of her life in Lincoln County, MO.   She collected a large file of clippings of Lincoln County residents.  The majority of the clippings were without citation, and kept stored in an old purse. Doris Martin Jablonski, beneficiary of the collection, has transcribed them for inclusion on our Lincoln County Heritage/Records Page.

Submitted to HERITAGE PAGES of LINCOLN COUNTY, MISSOURI by Doris Martin Jablonski, 5 October 1998.  Link change or update: 23 May 2000

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