Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Mary L. Cosens

Female 1838 - 1933  (94 years)


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  • Name Mary L. Cosens 
    Born 30 Apr 1838  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Gender Female 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/97765300 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-28486 
    Died 2 Feb 1933  Beaver Township, Renvill Co., Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Beaver Falls Cemetery, , Renvill Co., Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I28486  Generations
    Last Modified 7 Nov 2024 

    Father Charles Wesley Cosens,   b. 1812, Dorking, , Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Mar 1898, Wallace Twp., Perth Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years) 
    Mother Ann Miller,   b. 1810, , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Sep 1856, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 46 years) 
    Married 20 Feb 1832  Dorking, , Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F1407  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Cosens-MaryL-1838-1933-001-FindAGrave.jpg
    Cosens-MaryL-1838-1933-001-FindAGrave.jpg
    Mrs. Mary L. Carruth was taken recently at the home of her son, Parker Carruth, Beaver Falls township. (Morton Enterprise - Thursday, Feb. 9, 1933.)

  • Notes 
    • MARY CARRUTH RENVILLE PIONEER, BURIED SATURDAY

      Funeral services were held Saturday at the Beaver Falls church for Mrs. Mary L. Carruth, Renville county pioneer, who died at her home there Thursday morning after an illness of several months. Mrs. Carruth would have been 95 years old had she lived until April 30.

      Mrs. Carruth was born in Waterloo, Ontario, April 30, 1838 and lived in the western part of Ontario until 1861 when she was married to James. Carruth. About 12 years after their marriage, they moved to Beaver Falls and lived there until 1896 when they sold their farm and moved to Le Sueur.

      In 1907 they moved back to Beaver Falls where Mr. Carruth died in 1919. Mrs. Carruth was the mother of 14 children, ten of whom are living. There are many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

      The children who survive her are Parker Carruth, Mrs. Henry Zumwinkle and Wallace Carruth, Beaver Falls; Mrs. Lewis Brown, Joseph Carruth and Willam Carruth, Morton; Albert Carruth, Danzers, Minnesota; Arthur Carruth, Clayton, Wisconsin; Mrs. Rose Seebeck, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Mrs. Margaret Zumwinkle, Redwood Falls.

      Among those from here who attended the funeral were Mrs. Margaret Zumwinkle, Mrs. Besse L. Cameron, Mrs. L. W. Hassinger and Miss Jennie Carruth.

      Pall bearers were six great grandsons, Clarence Schabiln, Harry, Willis and Raymond Carruth and Vern and Leveret Hall. Burial was in the Beaver Falls cemetery.

      The Redwood Gazette February 9, 1933

      _______________

      Simple Services Mark Last Rites for "Grandma" Carruth

      Pioneer Beaver Falls Woman Died at Home of Son After Being Ill Since August---Reached Age of 94 Years.


      Simple but impressive funeral services were held 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon at the Beaver Falls town hall for Mrs. Mary L. "Grandma" Carruth, one of the oldest women in Renville county, who died at the home of her son, Parker, in Beaver township Thursday morning of last week at the age of 94 years, 9 months and 3 days.

      A short service was held first at her son's home at 1:30 p.m. burial was made in Beaver Falls cemetery besides her husband who passed away in 1919. Rev. C.C. Swalwell, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene, Redwood Falls, officiated at the rites.

      All the years of her long life were marked with exceptional health and vigor. Her stamina seemed inexhaustible, and on her ninety-fourth birthday on April 30 of last year, over 40 relative and friends gathered to congratulate her and marvel at the active manner in which she took part in the day's celebration.

      During summer her strength finally started to fail, and on August 15, she was forced to bed, where she remained until death closed the span of life. Despite the fact that she grew gradually weaker after being confined to bed, Mrs. Carruth maintained a cheerful and optimistic attitude. Visitors to her bedside were impressed with the remarkable tone of her keen mind.

      It was not until the last weeks before her death, that the infirmities of old age dulled her memory. All her life she was known as a brilliant woman, and she kept her thoughts clear and accurate until practically the last.

      Mrs. Carruth was known too her large following of friends and relatives as a woman of outstanding character. Despite circumstances she was always cheerful and happy, and did not know what despondency meant. In the memory of her descendants she will always live as a noble woman and be a source of inspiration to them.

      She was exceptionally fond of children, and appeared to have an inner understanding of their little mannerisms that made her a favorite wherever she went. To everyone, both young and old, she was known as "Grandma." It was hearing this from her friends that pleased her most. It was a title she was proud to possess

      Until within recent years, Mrs. Carruth always made herself as useful as possible around the home. She insisted that part of the day's work be placed upon her as a responsibility. It was probably the realization that she was a strong woman despite advanced age that prompted her to do as much housework as possible.

      Born in western Ontario, Canada, April 30, 1838, Mrs. Carruth, nee Mary L. Couzens, came to Beaver Falls with her husband, James Carruth while living in Canada and they were married there about 1860.

      After coming to Beaver Falls they lived on a farm until 1896, when they left for LeSueur to live. Ten years later they returned to Beaver Falls and lived in the village itself until 1919 when Mr. Carruth died. Since that time Mrs. Carruth had been living with her children. For a while she stayed with her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Brown, but for the last five years she made her home with Parker Carruth in Beaver Falls township.

      Although the famous Battle of Birch Cooley had already been fought, and the Civil was ended, Mr. and Mrs. Carruth found this section of the state still a wilderness when they arrived. Beaver Falls had sprung up as a flourishing little trading center, but the territory north was very sparsely populated.

      A considerable number of new families settled at Beaver in 1867, and Mrs. Carruth and her husband followed in their wake a few years later. Hey experienced all the hardships of the early pioneers. The Indians were still dangerous, and in addition to that the prairie fires and long, severe winters added to the difficulties of life.

      After leaving Beaver Falls in 1896 they sold the old homestead, but during the 24 years that they farmed in that community, they prospered and were happy by dint of courage and hard work. The memory of Mr. and Mrs. Carruth will always be linked with their leadership and progressiveness in a growing pioneer community.

      There were 14 children born to them, 10 of whom are still living. They are as follows: Parker Carruth, Mrs. Henry Zumwinkle and Wallace Carruth of Beaver Falls, Mrs. Louis Brown, Joe Carruth and William Carruth of Morton; Albert Carruth of Danvers, Minn; Arthur Carruth of Clayton, Wis.; Mrs. Rose Seebeck of Milwaukee, Wis, and Mrs. Margaret Zumwinkle of Redwood Falls.

      With the death of "Grandma" Carruth a long line of descendants are left to carry on her ideals and guidance. She had 57 grandchildren, 81 great grandchildren, and 9 great, great grandchildren.

      One of her sons, Albert, who lives at Danvers, Minn., could not attend the funeral because of illness. His two sons, Clarence and Delmer, however, were present.

      Morton Enterprise - Thurs. Feb. 9, 1933

  • Sources 
    1. [S134] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wilmot - 1851, Div 2 Pg 1.

  • Event Map
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