Individual Details

Rachel Neal

(13 Aug 1808 - 22 Feb 1900)

Unknown New London area Iowa newspaper.
One of Henry County's Oldest Settlers Passed Away.

Mrs. Rachel Neal Burge died at 9:00 o'clock Thursday evening, Feb. 22d at her home, one mile west of New London, in the ninety-second year of her age.
Mrs. Burge was born in Perry County, Ohio, August 13th, 1808 and was married to Jacob Burge of Pennsylvania, in 1824. They came to Iowa in 1935 and settled on the place where she died in May of the same year, a part of which was taken as a claim the rest being bought later. They were of modest means when they settled in their new home, but willing hands and God's kind providence soon brought them a fine, large estate and handsome and commodious home, which they enjoyed for many years.
Mr. Burge died Aug. 24th, 1876. While grieved to leave his loved ones he was resigned to the will of his Master, when he said, "well done come up higher."
Eight children were born to them, two of whom survive, Mrs. Rachel J. Kirkpatrick of Fairfield and Mrs. W. W. Blackie [Blacker] of New London.
Mrs. Burge has been for some time the oldest surviving settler of her county, and she is mourned by a host of friends, as her kind word and hands were always ready to minister to those in affliction as she was more ready to minister to others than to her own wants. She was the first to help the sick, shelter the homeless, help the needy and speak kindly to the sorrowing. She was never more happy than when her home was filled with romping little children and she could join in their sports. An when she lay in her casket strong men wept when they saw what a loss the community had sustained. She possessed a strong mind, a spotless character and was called great and good by all who knew her. Her home was always a home for the ministers of her own church as well as for ministers of other churches.
Mrs. Burge was converted in 1824 and lived in the fear and love of God. She was one of the charter members of the New London Methodist Episcopal class, which was formed in 1837, which is now a large and flourishing society.
The funeral was held at her late home Sabbath, Feb. 24th at 2:00 o'clock and she was laid to rest by her beloved companion in the Burge cemetery, the site of which was given by Mr. Burge in 1838, for a burying place for the public, and now is a large and grand city of the dead.

Events

Birth13 Aug 1808Perry Co., Ohio
Marriage22 Jul 1824Perry Co., Ohio - Jacob Burge
Death22 Feb 1900New London, Henry Co., Iowa
Alt nameRachel Neel
BurialBurge Cemetery, New London, Henry Co., Iowa

Families

SpouseJacob Burge (1804 - 1876)
ChildElizabeth M. Burge (1825 - 1846)
ChildJohn W. Burge (1827 - 1834)
ChildLouisa J. Burge (1829 - 1857)
ChildJeremiah J Burge (1831 - 1898)
ChildNancy Burge (1836 - 1893)
ChildRachel Jane Burge (1838 - 1916)
ChildJacob Marion Burge Jr. (1847 - 1870)
ChildSusan Emma Burge (1852 - 1932)
FatherJames Neil ( - )
MotherCatherine ??? ( - )

Endnotes