Third Generation

27. Mary Delilah ROOT was born on 9 August 1820 in Springfield Township, Otsego County, NY.^{5,54,55,74,90,153} (Puzzilla.org incorrectly lists her birth place as Springfield, Erie County, NY.)

She appeared in the census in 1830 in Springfield Township, Otsego County, NY.⁴⁴
She died on 24 June 1914 at the age of 93 in Minburn, Dallas County,IA.^153,154 Obituary: "Mother of Mrs. S.J. West passaway Tuesday night at the home northwest of Minburn about midnight. For many years she has made her home with her daughter and during the past few months there has been a complete physical collapse. For over a year Mrs. West has been in attendance upon the parent almost day and night, striving to keep the tiny spark of life aglow within the being she loved and who thru the almost 9 years of her life has been so kindly and good.

The funeral was held this Friday morning, the Rev. Marie Davies having charge of the service, while the Misses Hazel Nourse and Nell Osborne sang. Interment was made in the cemetery at Adel, the funeral party escorting the remains overland.

To Mrs. West has been allotted many of the strirring scenes of the pioneer. Her family were in Chicago before there was a railroad there. They reached Des Moines before that city greeted the steam carriers, and ever they have labored for the bettermet of the community in which they lived, and for the happiness of those about them.

Mary Delilah Root, born in Otsego county, New York on August 9th, 1820. At the age of 18 she was united in marriage to Joseph West. Three children were born during this union: Ethan Allen, who died 50 years ago; Thomas Sylvester, now living in Vancouver; and Sarah Jane, who still resides close to Minby and with whom the deceased has made her home til her death, which occurred near midnight on June 23rd, 1914. She would have reached the mature age of 81 if she had lived till August next.

Mrs. West was one of a family of eleven. All have died with the exception of one sister, Malvina, now living in New York State, and William J. Root, 92 years old living in California, both feeble with the weight of years. Our departed sister has passed throught many varied experiences. At the age of twelve the family moved to Buffalo, they immigrated to Illinois in 1813; living in that state 5 years, then Kansas; then to Iowa in 1860, where she has resided since with the exception of 12 years spent in California. Early in her life she was a member of the Baptist church, and after moving to Iowa identified herself with the Methodist church, to which she was very faithful and was true to her Saviour the last. She believed in the power of prayer, and her request is at last granted and she is at rest." Mary was buried on 26 June 1914 in Adel, Dallas County, IA.¹⁵⁴ in the Oakdale Cemetery.

Mary Delilah ROOT and Joseph WEST were married about 1838.¹⁵⁴ Joseph WEST was born in 1814 in New York.¹⁵⁴

Mary Delilah ROOT and Joseph WEST had the following children: