Mary C. Trumbold Coventry

Mary Trumbold was born in New Jersey in 1855 to Johan George and Johannah Trumbold.  She is listed in the 1870 census as being 15 years old and living at home with her mother, Johannah; her brothers, Charles and Hermann; and her sister, Hannah.  At that time, this family was living in Highland Township, Iowa.1

On March 8, 1880, Mary C. Trumbold (age 26) wed H. S. Coventry on his 30th birthday, in Elgin, Fayette County, Iowa.2  She is listed in the 1880 Iowa census as 25 years old, living in Illyria Township, Fayette County with her husband, Henry S., age 30, and his family his father, Alexander Coventry (age 74, farmer born in New York); his mother, Catherine E. Coventry (age 58, born in Scotland of Scottish parents); and his grandmother, Elizabeth Lowe (age 87, born in Scotland of Scottish parents).3

A biography in History of Fayette County says that Henry S. Coventry was born in Hudson, New York on March 8, 1850, and came to Illyria township with his parents in 1861.  "Both sides of his family were of sterling old Quaker stock.  Henry S. Coventry was educated in a log school house in Highland township, Clayton County, Iowa, and later in Illyria township, Fayette County, also taking a business course in the Bryant and Stratton Business College...He is the owner of  95 acres of land in Illyria township...He very faithfully performed the duties of clerk of Illyria township for a period of seventeen years, was a valued member of the school board for a period of twenty years, and he was at one time a candidate for county recorder."4

Mary Coventry was also recorded as living in Cox Creek Township, Iowa in October 7, 1880 (unless the reporter had Mary mixed up with her sister, Emma Meyer, who did live in Cox Creek).  She is mentioned in that date's newspaper, The Elkader Register, because her brother, Hermann Trumbold, had committed suicide.

The Coventrys remained in Illyria township and had three sons - Clarence W., born June 21, 1881; George S., born January 30, 1885 and who died when he was four years old; and Arthur M., born August 16, 1891, who died when he was just over 5 months old.

Mary Coventry died of consumption at the age of 37 on October 8, 1891, in her home in Illyria township.  The baby, Arthur, was less than two months old and was taken in by Mary's sister, Hannah Holzer.    He died just three and one-half months later.  Clarence, age 10, presumably stayed with his father.

Henry Stewart Coventry died of dropsy in Illyria Township, Iowa, and is shown as being buried in Illyria, Iowa.5  He is listed as being a farmer and his probate6 lists 95 acres in Illyria Township in his estate which was left to his one surviving son, Clarence.  This same land was left to Henry by his mother in 1906.7 

 Although Mary Coventry's obituary says that she was buried in Highland cemetery, there is no marker for her there and it is more likely that she was buried in Illyria cemetery with her husband.  There are no markers on these graves, but the index to the cemetery says that the Henry S. Coventry lot (Row 4, Lot K) is "full" which means there are at least two people buried there.  The next lot (Row 4, Lot J) belongs to Clarence Coventry, their son.

OBITUARY - Mrs. H. S. Coventry

"Died

At her home in Illyria township of consumption, on Thursday, Oct. 8, 1891, Mrs. H. S. Coventry.

Deceased was born in New Jersey in 1854 and several years since came to Iowa, and on March 8, 1880, at Elgin, she, who was Miss Mary Trumbold, became Mrs. H. S. Coventry.  Three children blessed their union; the oldest Clarence, aged 10 years, Georgie, who died May 23, 1889, aged 4 years, 4 months and 24 days, and Arthur, born Aug. 16, 1891, and who is now with his aunt, Mrs. Hoelzer, of this place.  The funeral took place at the home on Saturday, Oct. 10.  Rev. E. Fathergill officiating and a large procession of sorrowing friends followed the mortal remains to the Highland cemetery. 

Mrs. Coventry was a sister of Mrs. Aug. Hoelzer of this place and has been ill for about five years, and although her death was not a surprise, yet it was not expected so soon.  The family have the sympathy of the entire community in their sore affliction, but little can sympathy do towards making up the loss of a fond mother and affectionate wife."8

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Another item in the same newspaper

"The two months' old child of Mrs. Coventry, deceased, has been taken by Mrs. Hoelzer, of the Central House, she being the child's aunt."

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Another item in the same newspaper

Highland Ridge

"On Thursday, Oct. 8, 1891, occurred the death of Mrs. Coventry, aged thirty-seven years.  She leaves a husband and two children to mourn her death.  The family of the deceased has the sympathy of this community in their sad affliction.  The funeral was held at the house, Rev. Fathergill conducting the services.  Interment was made in the Highland cemetery."

Item in The Elgin Echo of October 22, 1891

"H. S. Coventry and Clarence of Illyria spent Sunday at the Central House." [owned by the Holzers and where little Arthur was living].

OBITUARY - Henry S. Coventry 

"Died.

Henry S. Coventry, one of the best known men living near Wadena, passed away at this home Tuesday evening, March 24, 1914.  Heart trouble was the immediate cause of his death.  Deceased was in Elgin a week before his demise and seemed to be in his usual health.

Henry S. Coventry was born in Hudson, New York, March 8, 1850, and came with his parents to Iowa at an early age.  He received his education in log school houses in Highland twp., Clayton County and in Illyria township, Fayette County, afterward taking a business course in the Bryant & Stratton business college.  For many years deceased has been engaged in farming.

On March 8, 1880 Mr. Coventry was united in marriage to Mary C. Trumbold, and to them were born three children, two dying at a tender age, and Clarence W. , who survives, is at home.  The wife and mother died October 8, 1891.

Mr. Coventry was well-known throughout the county.  He was town clerk of his township and a member of the school board for many years and was known and esteemed by a large circle of friends.  He was a man of pleasing personality, well informed on the subjects of interest and a good conversationalist, a man of beliefs who had the courage to stand for his convictions.  As a farmer he was successful and his passing will be regretted by a host of friends here and elsewhere who with an only son and many relatives are left to mourn their loss.

The funeral services will be held from the Illyria church Friday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock and interment will be made in the cemetery there."9

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Card of Thanks

We take this method of extending our heartfelt thanks to all those who assisted by kindly act and word during the sickness, death and burial of our loved one, H. S. Coventry.  To the members of the I.O.O.F lodge and for the floral tributes we are grateful.

C. W. Coventry

Aug. Holzer and Family

In the same issue of the paper it states that  "C.W. Coventry was here from Wadena the last of the past week for a visit with relatives."

Source notes

1.  1870 Federal census for Iowa [Clayton County], taken July 16, 1870.

2.  Certificate of Marriage, H. S. Coventry and Mary C. Trumbold, Fayette County, Iowa, #221, March 8, 1880.

3.  1880 Federal census for Iowa [Fayette County], taken June 14, 1880.

4.  History of Fayette County [Iowa], 1910.

5.  Record of Deaths, Henry Stewart Coventry, Fayette County, Iowa.

6.  Probate record, H. S. Coventry, Fayette County, Iowa [W2SE S13 T93 R7W and W3/4W1/2E1/4NE S23 T93 R7W].

7.  Probate record, Catherine E. Coventry, Fayette County, Iowa [W2SE S13 T93 R7W and W3/4W1/2E1/4NE S23 T93 R7W].

8.  Obituary, Mrs. H. S. Coventry, The Elgin Echo, Thursday, October 15, 1891.

9.  Obituary, Henry S. Coventry, The Elgin Echo, Thursday, March 26, 1914, on the first page.

10. Card of Thanks, The Elgin Echo, April 2, 1914.