Notson, Robert P.S.

NOTSON, ROSWELL, EDMONSTON, HARNLEY, SHEPHARD, CARSON

Posted By: Daniel Shaul (email)
Date: 10/12/2021 at 15:21:49

Kansas, The Olathe Mirror, Jan. 24, 1924, page 2

R. P. S. NOTSON DEAD.

Father of Our Charles Notson, of Stilwell, Was 95 Years Old.

At the age of almost 95 years, R.P.S. Notson was called to his home above on Monday morning of this week. For many months he had been in failing health, and his death had been looked for at any time. The funeral service was held from the late home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J.H. Freedline, and interment was made in the Utterback cemetery. His grandsons, Dee, Ross and Neal Notson, Elsworth Shephard, and R.R. Carson acted as pall bearers.

Mr. Notson was born in Marion County, Tennessee on April 24, 1829 and died at his home in Hamburg, on January 14, 1924, aged 94 years, eight months, and 20 days. He came with his parents, in 1840 from Illinois to Iowa, crossing the Mississippi River at Fort Madison by ferry. The family first located in Jefferson County and moved to Decatur County in 1851. It was while living in the eadtern part of the state that Mr. Notson acted as a host for a hunting party, one member of the party being Lieutenant Robert E. Lee, afterwards general of the southern forces during the Civil War.

Mr. Notson was engaged in the saw mill business for many years, and was prominent in the building up of the new country in which he had settled. He was sheriff of his county for one term, and also held offices in the gift of the people. After moving to Fremont County in 1874 he settled in Madison township and followed farming until his retirement some years ago. He was a charter member of the Madison M. E. Church, in which he was an active member.

Mr. Notson was the oldest living Mason in the state of Iowa, both from years of membership and age. He was made the Master Mason in the Grand River lodge No. 78 at Leon, Iowa on April 18, 1856. In the same year he became a charter member of the Decatur lodge, No. 109 at Decatur City, Iowa, and was the last charter member of that lodge to die. At the time of his death he was a member of the Mason lodge, at this place, who had charge of the service at the grave.

Mr. Notson was married to Miss Libbie Roswell in 1849, she having died in 1862. Only one son, Henry of Wellston, Okla., survives this union. He was married to Nancy Louise Edmonston at Decatur City, Iowa, June 8, 1864. To this union ten children were born. Mr. Notson is survived by his wife and the following children: Charles of Stilwell, Kansas; Ed of Hepburn, Ore.; Lee of Gentry, Ark.; Dr. Gerry Notson of Souix City; Mrs. W.F. Harnley of Sheridan, Wyo.; and Misses Jessie and Ruth of this city. He also leaves thirty-six grandchildren.

In the passing of this grand old man the entire community mourn. While he has not been active in the life of the town for many years, yet the influence of his life and character have been actively at work, and will continue for long years to come. He was a pioneer in every sense of the word and with a wonderful character and sterling qualities he set about to make our county a better place that his children could enjoy, with the advantages he had been denied in taking up pioneer life--The Hamburg Reporter