NAME: Zumwalt, Sarah Elizabeth (m. 1h Jacob Frederick, 2h Theodore B. White, 3h William W. Sefrit)
OBIT: Star of New Sharon, New Sharon, Iowa, 13 June 1918
EARLY SETTLER GONE TO REST
Mrs. Elizabeth Sefrit who came to Mahaska County in 1854 Died at Her Home Here Monday, June 10th
Mrs. Sarah E. Sefrit died at the family residence June 10th at 3:45 a.m. after a painful illness extending over the last two years. Her death was not unexpected, but marks the close of a long and useful life. Throughout her long illness she had been the recipient of all the loving care that could be given her by her children and her kind neighbors, and her cheerful patient spirit will be missed by all who knew her.
Sarah Elizabeth Zumwalt was born July 1, 1840 in Hancock County, Indiana. She was the daughter of Daniel and Martha Zumwalt. When she was a little girl the family moved from Indiana to Stark County, Illinois, where a few years later her father died. In 1854, Mrs. Zumwalt brought her children to Mahaska County, Iowa, where she was able to invest in cheap land for each of her children.
There were no brick houses in Oskaloosa at that time, all the building being of logs. The Capital of the State was at Iowa City. The family traded at the first store in New Sharon, when there were only about five families residing here, three of whom were the Quaintances, Winders and Cobbs.
On August 18, 1857, Sarah was married to Jacob Frederick. Two children were born of this marriage, Martha, Mrs. Cornelius Phillips, of New Sharon and Perley P. Frederick of Hobart, Oklahoma.
Mr. Frederick enlisted in the Civil War, and was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh, being sent to the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, where he died six weeks later, his wife being with him at his death.
In 1863, Mrs. Frederick married Theodore B. White. Four children were born of this marriage, Mary, Mrs. John H. Jackson of Haswell, Colorado; Iowa, Mrs. Alfred N. Stout of Slater, Wyoming; William T. White, Knoxville, Iowa; and Charles T. White, Manhattan, Montana.
Theodore B. White died at the farm home seven miles southwest of New Sharon, September 25, 1871. His widow continued to manage the farm and raised her children to manhood and womanhood, and by her sterling qualities won the respect of her neighbors.
Mrs. White was married to William W. Sefrit, September 15, 1891. In 1912 they left the farm and moved into New Sharon, where they have since resided, Mr. Sefrit dying February 7, 1918.
Mrs. Sefrit leaves seventy-six living descendents. They are the six children mentions, thirty-three grandchildren, and thirty-seven great grand-children. Her oldest great-grand-child, Merrill, the son of Leonard Phillips, died March 3, 1918.
She also leaves four brothers, Daniel Zumwalt, who resides near New Sharon, Jacob of Cambrai, Alberta, Canada, Joseph of Clay Center, Nebraska, and William of Frankfort, Indiana.
She has been a member of the Christian denomination many years, bringing her letter to the church of that denomination when she came to live in New Sharon.
All of her children were permitted to be with her in her last illness as well as two of her brothers, Daniel and Joseph Zumwalt.
The funeral was held from the Christian Church at 2:30 o'cock, Tuesday, June 11th, 1918, in charge of Rev. S. P. Williamson on Union Mills.