grave import

Obituary

Mrs. Margaret E. Blythe, a native of Burlington, widow of Joseph W. Blythe, who was general counsel of the Burlington railroad, with offices in Burlington, died Tuesday in St.Lukes hospital in Chicago, where she had made her home for the past 30 years. Mrs. Blythe was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Gear the latter one-time governor, and United States senator from Iowa. She wed J.W. Blythe here Oct. 6, 1877. He died March 6, 1909 at the hunting lodge of Harry Weaver in Louisa county. The Blythe home, a fine rambling old mansion, was situated on West avenue, surrounded by spacious rolling grounds. After Mrs. Blythe moved to Chicago, the property was purchased by Col. H.B. Scott, whose widow and heirs presented it to the school board. For a number of years the house was used as a community center and later was razed by the board. The Blythe home was the center of much social activity in by-gone years. Before the days of automobiles the Blythes maintained a large stable of carriage horses. The big barn on Grove street, later converted into a Little theater, still stands but has fallen into disuse. Surviving Mrs. Blythe is one sister, Mrs. Ruth Rand, widow of Horace Rand, Los Angeles, Cal.; a nephew, Horance Rand, Los Angeles and a niece, Mrs. David Barnett, San Fernando, Cal., the former Ruth Rand. One son, Hugh Blythe, an attorney, died in Chicago several years ago.