[Marshal Everett Keith]

Times-Republican

Thursday    May 13, 1926    [p. 6]

Marshal Everett Keith

Marshal Everett Keith was born January 5, 1852, at Shelbyville, Ind., and passed to his reward on May 4, 1926, at Gravity, Iowa.  He was aged 74 years, 3 months and 29 days.  He came with [his] parents to Davis County, Iowa, in the year 1858 and moved to Mahaska County in 1860.  H was married to Emma A. McFall of Fremont, Ia., on Nov. 9^th, 1876.  He came with his family to Taylor County in 1893 and resided here until his death.  Six children, Mrs. James Clark, Sharpsburg, Ia.; Mrs. Maggie DeLean, Lewis, Iowa; Fred Keith of Gravity; Mrs. Hugh King, Omaha, Nebr.; Mrs. Wilbur Cunningham, Botha, [Alberta] Canada, and Valma of Gravity, are the surviving children.  All were present at the deathbed except Mrs. Cunningham.  In 1891 he found his Savior, which was to him a great comfort in his last years.  As his friends and relatives were at his bedside he often remarked that he was prepared to go when the Savior calls.  He leaves his wife, six children, 19 grandchildren, 3 brothers, 3 sisters, an aged stepmother.

Funeral services were held at the M. E. Church at Gravity, May 5, at 2 p.m.  Interment was given in Gravity cemetery.

[Josiah "Si" Litteer]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    August 9, 1906   [p. 2]

Obituary.

Josiah Litteer.

When Josiah Litteer laid down the duties, the pleasures and the hardships of this life at his home in Yukon, Okl., last week, mention of which was made in our last issue, one of the pioneers of Taylor County passed to that "bourne from whence no traveler returns."

The fact that he lived to the ripe old age of 83 years, retaining possession of all his faculties, is mute testimony that he had lived a life of usefulness and purity.  He was born in Deckertown, Sussex County, N. J., April 12, 1823.  There the foundation of robust and sturdy manhood were laid and in 1841 he turned his face to the west, landing at Coshocton, Ohio.

On May 9, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Krupper [Margaret Ann Knepper], at Mansfield, Ohio, and in the same year they took up life's journey and started again for the west, locating in Monroe County, Iowa, where they remained until 1855 when they came to Taylor County, Iowa, and located on a farm near Conway where they remained until the death of Mrs. Litteer on August 25, 1897.

This was one of the saddest blows to this sturdy pioneer.  They had hewn out a competence together, braved the hardships and toil of a frontier life together, reared a fine family of children, shared all their little pleasures and then as the sun of life was beginning to near the western horizon, this loving companion was taken.  To them were born nine children.  Those surviving are Mrs. Clarissa Campbell, near Conway; Mrs. Sylvina Duffield, Creston; Mrs. Ollie Daniels, Bedford; Niles, of Clayton township; Cleveland, of Oklahoma City, Okl.; H.[enry] K. of Bedford.  Those who preceded the father were Lilly May, who died Aug. 16, 1871; Monroe C. [ounty], who died April 2, 1902, and Mansfield O., who died Oct. 24, 1905.

After making the first wagon tracks from the north into Taylor county Mr. Litteer devoted himself to farming but his spare moments were occupied with study.  He soon mastered the details of surveying and civil engineering, which occupation he followed for a great many years.  From 1881 to 1900 he was in the employ of the Burlington Land Co. in that capacity and his long service with that company testifies to his ability.  He was a deep student of all subjects and no problem was given up by him until it was thoroughly unraveled and understood.  His energy, character and ability were soon recognized by his fellow men and he was elected county surveyor at a time when it required able men to do this work.  Many other minor offices he was called upon to fill.

He was one of the charter members of the Bedford lodge I. O. O. F. and at the semi-centennial held by that order last spring he was compelled to send his regrets but he wrote many interesting anecdotes of early lodge life.  Many times did he walk from his farm near Conway to Bedford to attend a meeting of his lodge.

He was also a charter member of the Masonic lodge, which was organized at Conway in 1876.

After the death of his wife in 1897, he made his home with his son-in-law, G.[eorge] F. Daniels, and wife [Olive] at Conway where he remained until he thought the climate of Oklahoma would prove more beneficial to his health and in 1900 he moved to Yukon.  On December 5, of that year, he was married to Mary Jane Kitchen [Ritcher], of Sussex County, N. J., and aside from the six children named she still survives to mourn his death.  Her health was such that she could not attend his funeral here, however.

Mr. Litteer's health began failing about the first of the year and he continued to grow weaker until the end came as stated, on Monday evening at 5 o'clock, July 30, at the age of 83 years, 3 months and 18 days.

The remains arrived here on Wednesday last and on Thursday, August 2, they were laid to rest in Lexington cemetery.  The funeral services were held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Daniels at 10:30 o'clock, conducted by Revs. Jones and Price.  The Masonic order had charge of the burial service.

The sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved ones.

[LITTEER, JOSIAH "SI"]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, July 31, 1906
Josiah Litteer Dead
A telegram was received today by relatives here stating that Josiah Litteer had died at his home in Yukon, Okla. late yesterday evening. They were to leave there with the body today at 2 p. m. and it is expected they will arrive in Bedford some time tomorrow. The funeral will be held on Thursday at 10:30 a. m. at the home of Geo. F. Daniels in North Bedford, conducted by Revs. Jones and Price. Interment at Lexington.
Deceased was a pioneer of Taylor county and was well known all over this section of the state. Obituary will appear later.

[LITTEER, JOSIAH "SI"]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, August 2, 1906
Josiah Litteer died at his home in Yukon, Oklahoma, on Monday evening at 8 o'clock, July 30, 1906, age 84 years, 3 months and 18 days.
In the death of Mr. Litteer there passes away another of those hardy pioneers who wrought and endured hardships and privations during the early days of our country's history. One by one they are going and very, very soon there will be none left to tell the tale of those anti-bellum days in Taylor county when true hearted, fearless men and women worked and endured to wrest this garden spot of creation from the grasp of the wilderness, wild animals and wilder men.
Josiah Litteer was born April 12, 1822 in the state of New Jersey. In that state he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, and until he was 18 years of age, when he decided to accept the advice of the great Greeley and "Go west." He settled first in Coshocton county, Ohio, where he remained seven years and until 1848, when he emigrated to Monroe county, Iowa.
Just before leaving Ohio he met, wooed and won a young lady, native of that state, by name Miss Margaret Kepper, to whom he was married in Richland county, on May 9th, 1848. To this union were born the six children who still survive both father and mother, Mrs. Litteer having died many years ago.
The surviving children are as follows: Mrs. Clarissa Campbell, who resides near Conway; Mrs. Sylvina Duffield, Creston; Mrs. Ollie Daniels, Bedford; Miles, whose home is in Clayton township; Cleveland, who now lives at Oklahoma City and H. K. of Bedford.
In 1854 the deceased then a young man, healthy, ambitious, but almost penniless, moved to Taylor county and settled on a farm a short distance southwest of Conway. In the early history of our county Mr. Litteer's name is mentioned as the first man to make his home in Marshall township. He was always a man of decided opinions, energetic and a natural leader, and it was not long until his name was known to every settler in the county. Some years later he was elected to the office of county surveyor, an office which at that time was perhaps the most important of any in the county. He also held other offices of trust and respect [words missing] duties always with honor and credit to himself and constituents. In politics he was for years a leading figure. Mr. Litteer was also an enthusiastic lodge man. When the Odd Fellows lodge was organized at Bedford, he was a charter member. Horses were scarce in those days and ofttimes Mr. Litteer would walk to and from Bedford in order to attend lodge.
In 1876 a Masonic lodge was organized in Conway and of this lodge Mr. Litteer became a charter member, also, and served as its firs S. W. Of this lodge he was still a member and his brothers in the order today conducted the ceremonies at the grave.
Some years ago, Mr. Litteer decided that perhaps the climate of a land farther south would be more beneficial to his health, so he removed to Yukon, Oklahoma, where he made his home until the time of his death.
His health up to some three months ago was fairly good for a man of his age, but along this spring he was taken ill with what later proved to be cancer of the stomach. When the nature of the disease was known it was at once evident that his days on earth were few. He kept gradually failing, growing weaker day by day until on last Monday evening the end came, and the long and interesting chapter of his life was closed.
The body was shipped here, arriving yesterday noon. The Bedford Masonic lodge took charge and removed it to the home of his daughter, Mrs. George F. Daniels in North Bedford. There the funeral services were held at 10:30 today conducted by Revs. Jones and Price. Interment was at the Lexington cemetery.

[Rudy G. Singleton]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 6, 1944    [p. 1]

R. G. Singleton Dies, Funeral Wednesday

R. G. Singleton, a former Bedford boy, died unexpectedly at his home in Kansas City Monday, April 3.  Although not in the best of health he had been at his place of business on Friday.

The body was brought to Bedford and the funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A. A. Ross.  Burial was in the Bedford cemetery.

Rudy G. Singleton, second son of Clay and Sina [h] B. (Wysong) Singleton, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, June 17, 1885, being aged 58 years, 9 months and 16 days at the time of his death.

On Nov. 4, 1921, he was married to Miss Helen Haidsiak of Bedford and they had resided in Kansas City for many years, where he was a watchmaker and in business for himself.

He is survived by his wife and one son, T Sgt. Marvin Singleton, who is a watch repairman for the army, stationed in South Africa.  Also by one brother, Roy E. Singleton of Omaha, Nebr., and one sister, [Edna] Phon, Mrs. Ralph Livingston, of Bedford.

He was a member of the Blue Ridge Christian Church in Kansas City.

Here for the last rites were Mr. and Mrs. Roy Singleton [Edna Bashore] of Omaha.  Also an uncle, Elza Wysong, and a cousin, Frank Wysong, both of Oklahoma City, Okla.

 [Mary Hutchinson Hosman Caughey]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 30, 1942     p. 8

Hold Services Today For Mrs. Caughey

Mrs. C. S. Caughey, a former resident of Bedford, died at the Community Hospital in Boulder, Colo., Monday, July 27, after a lingering illness.  The body was brought to Bedford and the funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home this Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson.  Burial was in the Shearer cemetery.

Mary Hutchinson, twin daughter of Isaac and Samantha Hutchinson, was born September 30, 1865, near Siam, Taylor County, Iowa, being aged 76 years, 8 months and 27 days at the time of her death.

She was married on October 18, 1888 to Cassius M. Hosman.  To them were born four children: Thomas D. Hosman of Bedford, Susie A. Hosman, who died in infancy, Stella, who is now Mrs. P. [eter] J. Tillman of Boulder, Colo.; Isaac Ray Hosman of Dallas, Oregon.  Mr. Hosman died in 1934.

In 1928 she was married to C. S. Caughey of Boulder, Colo., who survives.  There are also three granddaughters:  Vivian Tillman and Gretchen Hosman of Omaha, Nebr., and Geraldine Rae Hosman of Dallas, Oregon; two brothers and three sisters, John Hutchinson and I. B. Hutchinson of New Market, Mrs. Martha Condy of Big Springs, Nebr., Mrs. Rebecca Hosman of Clarinda and Mrs. Anna McFarland of Lyons, Kans.

She was a resident of the Siam community and Bedford for many years, moving west about twenty years ago.  She was a member of the Christian Church for many years.