Nancy Godfrey was born in Hardy county, West Virginia, March 23, 1819. She moved with her parents to Ohio in 1823. She was one of twelve children.

On September 15th, 1839 she married Wm. Ware and moved to Bonaparte, Iowa, in 1842. She was converted Jan. 5, 1851, and united with the M. E. church of this place. She always remained a faithful servant of her Master.

In 1853 she, with her husband, moved to the farm one mile north of town, which has ever since been her home. She was the mother of six children, of home two died in infancy, and two in after years. Two children, Minor Ware of this place, and Mrs. Hugh Bell of Troy, Iowa, one brother, four sisters, twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, besides many friends and neighbors, are left to mourn their loss. She was a good mother, a kind and faithful friend and neighbor.

The husband and father died August 26, 1865.

She departed this life March 13th, 1904, aged 84 years, 11 months and 20 days.

In a letter addressed to her son, to be opened at her death, was found the text, “Not my will, but thine be done” found in Luke 22 chapter and 42 verse. One song was elected, “Jesus Lover of My Soul” and the words “When God calls, I am ready to go.

Funeral services were held March 15, at the M. E. church, at 2 o’clock p.m.. She was laid by the side of her husband in the Bonaparte cemetery.”

Source:   Source: Entler Scrapbooks Collection, Vol. 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA,  Posted By: Rich Lowe, Date: 10/17/2001, Van Buren Co., Iowa, GewWeb Archives