Obituary

Kansan, Tuesday, March 9, 1937


Joanna Louisa Condon was born in Fermoy, Ireland, April 25, 1845, a daughter of David and Mary (Neal) Condon, making her 91 years, 10 months and eight days at the time of death.

When Joanna was six years old her parents came with their children to this country and settled in Lynn, Mass., where they lived three and a half years, moving to Garry Owen, Ia., 18 miles west of Dubuque. Here the child grew to womanhood and was graduated from St. Mary's academy and Lee's Seminary in Dubuque, teaching school for nine years in the vicinity of Dubuque.

She was married October 1, 1873 in Dubuque, Ia., to William Wallace Carter, connected with the Adams Express company there. Three years later in 1876 the couple moved to Kansas and settled on a farm in Emma township where they lived for 41 years, until they moved to Newton in 1914 and resided at 202 West Ninth.

Children born to the couple were Mrs. Ben Miller of Wichita Edith A. and Ray Carter of the home and Mrs. J. R. (Sybil) Cavanaugh of Gary, Indiana. A son Joe, passed away in August 1921.

Mrs. Carter was blessed with a long life, unusual intelligence and a happy disposition. The high intelligence which made her a splendid teacher was used later in the rearing of her fine family, and in making her husband and children happy and comfortable and wisley regulated home. On April 25, almost two years ago she celebrated her ninetieth anniversary and her ability to receive the many guest and do her full share of the honors as hostess on that day was a source of surprise and pleasure to her many friends. Up until the day of her accident she read o world and national events, worked cross word puzzles, compiled a a cross word puzzle dictionary and played cards and did beautiful needlework.

Her Irish wit and sunny disposition made her a welcome visitor in any home. Her fund of experience in a full and exciting life were the basis for many interesting stories told her children and grandchildren. These included the description of her stone home in Cork county Ireland; of the trip across the Atlantic in a sailing vessel and a storm which drove them off course; of the trip from Massachusetts to Iowa by train, lake boat, and by wagon train; of the happy times as a little girl ten years old, the youngest in a family of seven happy children; of school teaching in pioneer days in Iowa and the opening of a new county in Kansas. her fine vocabulary and her witty expressions made these tails a pleasure to all privileged to hear them.

Mr. Carter passed away Nov. 2, 1931 and since that time Mrs. Carter has had the care and devotion of her son, Ray, of the home and of her daughters, Edith and Sybil in their frequent visits here. Besides the children she leaves the following grandchildren: Mrs. Hazel Miller and George Onstott of Wichita, Lee Onstott of Hesston and Mrs. Ada J. Sacre of Chicago. Beverly Dean Sacre of Chicago and Joan Lee Onstott of Hesston aare great grandchildren surviving.

Funeral services were held on Saturday morning, March 6 at 10:30 at the Sprinker Mortuary, Rev. S. W. Keller officiating. Entombment was made in Greenwood Abbey