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 Death of Grandma Harris
Mrs. Sarah Harris, venerable mother of Mrs. M.A. Weir, died at the home of her daughter March 16, at three o’clock, of pneumonia, at the advanced age of 91 years. Mrs. Wier is also very ill, and her children are much alarmed over her condition.
Mrs. Harris, whose maiden name was Sarah O’Neil Bonta was born March 25, 1814, at Trenton, Canada. Her father was Cornelius Bonta, of New York, and her mother was Mary Wilkins, the daughter of Capt. Robt. Wilkins of Leicestershire who was conceded a grant of 3,000 acres of land in Canada for services rendered Great Britain in the revolutionary war. Her god-father was Lord O’Neil of Shanes’ Castle, Ireland.
Miss Sarah Bonta was married in 1839 to Samuel Young of Crook’s Rapids, Canada. He was a merchant who died sixteen years after marriage, of cholera while at Montreal purchasing goods. Rev. William Squires who granted him spiritual consolidation during his last hours, died of the same disease a few hours after the death of Mr. Young. Five years later Mrs. Young was married to David Harris, after his death she came to Monticello, where she made her home for more than a generation.
She is survived by four daughters and one son. The daughters are Mrs. Mellissa A. Weir of Monticello, Mrs. Wm. Rutherford of Ontario, Mrs. Sarah Blanchard of Minneapolis and Mrs. Jesse Annis of Council Bluffs. The son, Mr. Sheldon Young is a resident of Chicago. The deceased is survived by many grand-children and 23 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Harris was a woman of marked intelligence. Her mental powers were retained to the time of death. She had an abundance of practical good sense, and was much esteemed by the old friends who enjoyed her sociability and inspiration of her companionship. For years she has been the center of attraction in a large connection who never went counter to her advice of “grandma.” She was first considered in all plans that involved the welfare of the family.
[Mrs. Harris was the grandmother of Mrs. Thomas Kingsley and Mrs. W.A. Fairburn and occasionally visited in Cascade and was well-known and admired for her interesting manners and beautiful character.]
Submitted by:
Steve Hanken
Source: Cascade Pioneer, Cascade, Dubuque County, Iowa, 23 March 1905
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