Crawford County (IN) Democrat, April 8, 1920, p. 5.
MRS. JOHN S. KITTERMAN
We take the following from the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Evening Gazette, and has
reference to a former Crawford County citizen.
Mattie Ellen Tower, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Tower, was born in
Crawford County, Indiana, October 11, 1852, and died at her home in Cedar
Rapid, March 19, 1920, age 67 years, 5 months and 8 days. She grew to
womanhood and was a teacher in the public schools for 12 years in that
vicinity.
She was united in marriage to John S. Kitterman March 13, 1883. To this
union six children were born: Mrs. W. E. Sylvester of La Junta, Colo., Mrs.
C. O. Childs of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. George Stauffacher of Manly, Jesse A.
Kitterman of Cedar Rapids, Martha Althera who died in infancy, and Fred B.
Kitterman of Washington, D. C.
Mrs. Kitterman was a woman of fine intellectual ability. The habits of
thought and study which she acquired as a teacher followed her all of her
life and helped to make association with her a real inspiration.
She was devoted to the church of her choice, attending its services and
taken an interest in all of its activities. In the story of her life
written by herself she says: "Mattie E. Tower Kitterman joined the M. E.
Church at Tower Chapel when 14 years old. The Rev. J. S. Collins was the
minister who received her." The same minister officiated at her wedding.
She had been a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church ever since
coming to Cedar Rapids. She was also a member of the Women's Relief Corps
in which organization she was an active member and held office nearly up to
the time of her death.
But her chief joy was in her home of which she was the light and
inspiration. Of her it may well be said, "Her price is above rubies. She
looketh well to the ways of her household. Her children rise up and call
her blessed; her husband, also, and he praiseth her."
The home was her joy and delight, and her children were always in her
thoughts and love. To know her was a benediction and her memory blessed.
She proved by a consecrated life the reality of the religion that she
professed, and she will long be remembered for the good that she has done.
She endured the long, weary weeks of sickness without complaining, being
strengthened and sustained by a presence not of earth until Friday morning,
March 19, at six o'clock when she entered into rest.
There remain to mourn her death and to cherish her memory, her devoted
husband, John S. Kitterman, five children, six grandchildren, three
brothers, Edward Tower, of Battle Ground, Indiana, Sherman Tower of Romney,
Ind., James Tower of Leavenworth, Ind., one sister, Mrs. George Coleman of
Lerna, Ill., and other relatives and many friends.