She was one of the pioneer citizens of this community, coming to Audubon County in 1878, at the time when settlers lived in huts and most of the land was virgin Prairie, experiencing real frontier life. She was one of those who feared no hardships nor labor to provide for her loved ones, and to spread sunshine and comfort to her neighbors and those in need. She was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand where suffering and distress were prevalent. She was a faithful wife, a loving mother and true neighbor.

Martha Amelia Graham was born January 19, 1860, in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of John and Amelia (Knepp) Graham. When in infancy she moved with her parents to Poweshiek County, Iowa, where at the age of 12 years she joined the Christian Church and was baptized in the Richland Greek near Brooklyn, Iowa.

On January 19, 1877, she was united in marriage to Mr. David Mitchell, settling on a farm in Poweshiek County, where they lived for one year. In 1878, they moved on a farm in Audubon County where they lived on the old home place until 1921 when they retired from active farm life, moving to Manning.

Two years later, in 1923, Mr. Mitchell passed away and since that time Mrs. Mitchell has been making her home with her daughter Effie and family. Not in the best of health all these years, she bore her lot well and never complained. She had been a patient sufferer for the last 17 years.

The following children and relatives are left to mourn her passing: Daisy Andre of Hot Springs, Arkansas; Irvin Mitchell of Slater, Wyoming; Effie Whitcher of Manning; Floyd Mitchell of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and, Doris Young of Gray, Iowa. She also leaves 9 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters living in Nebraska, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist Church, the Rev. Harry Coats of Woodward, Iowa, officiating. Interment was made at the Lincoln Township Cemetery in the family lot. Pall bearers were Will Whitcher, Ruel Whitcher, Will Andre, Ernest Young, Floyd Mitchell, and Irvin Mitchell.

Out of town relatives attending the funeral were Mrs. Ella Dooley and two daughters and Mr. and Mrs. S. Sperry of Niobrara, Nebraska; Mr. Cora Henricksen and daughter Genevieve of Wausa, Nebraska; Mr. Thomas Snyder of Wausa, Nebraska; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Graham of Tama, Iowa; Mr. Tom Mitchell of Toledo, Iowa; Miss Ada Roudabush of Brooklyn, Iowa; Mr. J. Stewart and two daughters, Mrs. Will Armstrong, Mrs. Joe Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Winfred Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. Devaul, all of Guthrie Center; Mr. and Mrs. Dave Williams and Mr. and Mrs. Sloth of Viola Center.
September 2, 1937, Manning Monitor