Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
[Dawson, Francis Edgar “Ed”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 26, 1937     p. 8

FRANCIS EDGAR DAWSON DIES AT HOME SATURDAY

Francis Edgar Dawson, 74, died at his home in northwest Bedford Saturday, August 21. He had been a resident of Taylor County for 59 years.

Funeral services were held at the F. L. Wetmore Funeral Home Tuesday at 2 p.m. conducted by Rev. W. F. Overhulser, and burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

He was the son of John and Melinda [Elizabeth Wise] Dawson. He spent his boyhood in Clayton county, moving at the age of fifteen to a farm west of Hopkins, and from there he moved with his parents to a farm southwest of Bedford. The rest of his life was spent in or near Bedford excepting two years when he resided in Arkansas and a year in Missouri.

He was married to Isabelle Jobbins March 8, 1891, his wife preceding him in death 15 years. To them were born five girls: Mrs. Goldie Thrower of Halifax, North Carolina, Mrs. Eva Still of Greeley, Colo., Mrs. Agnes Brown deceased, Mrs. Frances Stowell of Bedford and Joyce at home.

He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Celia Priest of Portland, Oregon, three grandsons, one granddaughter and many other relatives. Three brothers, William, Charles and Archie and one sister, Mrs. Irena Keith, preceded him in death.

[Dawson, Gertrude Augusta “Gertie”]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      February 6, 1913      p. 8

Monday night Miss Gertie Augusta Dawson, daughter of Wm. Dawson living southwest of town, died of tuberculosis after a lingering illness of several months. Funeral services were held at the home yesterday afternoon at 1:30, conducted by Elder Mart Gary Smith. Interment was at Graceland cemetery.

[Dawson, Gertrude Augusta “Gertie”]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     February 6, 1913     p. 5

Gertrude A. Dawson.

Gertrude Augusta Dawson, aged 33 years and 11 days, died at her home Tuesday, of tuberculosis. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Dawson, south of town. The funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, conducted by Mart Gary Smith. Interment was made at the Graceland cemetery.

 

[Dawson, Margaret Helen]

Bedford Times-Republican

Monday       January 24, 1921     [p. 1]

Died

Margret [Margaret] Helen Dawson, daughter of [Charles] Ray and Mamie [Eliza Lantz] Dawson, was born near Bedford, Iowa, Nov. 19, 1918. Died at the home of her parents near Bedford, Jan. 20, 1921, aged 2 years, 2 months and one day. Margret [Margaret] had been a sufferer for nearly two years; finally He, who gave to childhood his benediction, said come, it is enough.

She leaves to mourn her going, her Father and Mother, one brother Joseph, besides her grandparents and other immediate relatives. Funeral services were held at the family home, Jan. 22, 1921, at 10 a. m. conducted by L. R. Cobb. Interment was in the Graceland cemetery.

[DAWSON, MARGARET HELEN]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, February 3, 1921
B. M. Lantz and wife were called to Bedford last week by the death of their little two-year-old granddaughter, Helen Dawson.

 

[Dawson, Isabelle Jobbins]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday       January 19, 1922       p. 5

Answers Summons

Mrs. Ed Dawson [Isabelle Jobbins], who has been a patient sufferer for some time, passed away at her home in North Bedford, Tuesday evening at 6 o'clock.

Funeral services will be held at the home this afternoon, conducted by Ellie Foreman. Interment in Fairview cemetery.

[Dawson, Joseph K.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      July 8, 1909      p. 4

Obituary

Joseph K. Dawson, son of William H. [enry] and Nancy [Keith] Dawson was born in Taylor County Iowa, January 5, 1886, died at his late home southwest of Bedford, July 2, 1909, at the age of 23 years, 6 months and 27 days. The deceased took sick with the sickness which proved fatal in February and for a greater part of the time since has been confined to his bed. The real cause of death was that awful plague, consumption, which no doubt has been preying on his vitals much longer. Everything that loving hands could do was done to save him but there was to be no remedy save the one from on high and this came with its summons at an early hour Friday morning and he was waiting and ready to go and calmly said "Good by old world I am going home'' and the spirit of Joseph Dawson was to be known no more on earth but in heaven.

He leaves two brothers, two sisters and the fond father and mother, besides more remote relatives to mourn his loss. Their loss is his gain.

This young man was a model among young men. A boy who was true to his parents and true to his brothers and sisters. No guile in his heart. No censure upon his lips hence none ever escaped them. He was a loving son and brother, many times calling his parents and brothers and sisters to his bed and telling them how much he loved them. When a young man of his age goes to the trouble to tell his loved ones how he loved them you may rest assured that there is thoughtfulness in his makeup. We love but many times we are too late in expressing it to our loved ones but not so with him. He had no bad habits but was of such a character that the neighbors felt a personal loss in his departure.

The funeral took place from the home Saturday at 2 o'clock, attended by a large audience who met to pay their tribute of respect. Geo. A. Hendrickson of the Christian church, Bedford, conducted the services, the music was appropriately rendered by Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Cobb, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Cobb and Mr. Isaac Coon. Burial at Titus cemetery.

[Dawson, Mamie Eliza Lantz]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       September 19, 1974       p. 6

Mamie E. Dawson Last Rites Held Final Rites Held September 16

Funeral services for Mrs. Ray (Mamie E.) Dawson, 80, of Bedford, lifetime Taylor county resident, were held Mon., Sept. 16, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Carl Cummings officiating. Mrs. Dawson died at her home in Bedford September 13, 1974. Interment was at Graceland Cemetery, Bedford.

Mamie E. [liza] Lantz, daughter of Benjamin [McClellan] and Mary Virginia Barrett Lantz, was born in Worth County, Missouri, March 23, 1894.

She grew to adulthood in the community where she was born where she was active in school, church and community activities.

She was united in marriage to [Charles] Ray Dawson at Maryville, Missouri, February 16, 1916. Four children were born to bless their home. They lived on the farm southwest of Bedford until she moved to her present home in Bedford where she has since continued to reside.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Ray, who died July 6, 1955, a daughter, Margaret Helen, who died at the age of two years, a sister Susie C. Bownes and three brothers, Floyd, Dan and Leo who died in their early childhood.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Joseph B. Dawson and his wife, Melba [New], of Bedford; two daughters: Mable Rose and her husband, Wm G. Steigleder of Arvada, Colorado, and Mary Louise and her husband, [Walter] Lee Walters of Red Oak, Ia.; eight grandchildren: Robert Neil Dawson, Judy Ann Sederburg, Ricky Joe Dawson, Robert Steigleder, Vickie Dye, Steven Steigleder, James L. Walters and Janet Maynes; ten great grandchildren; one sister, Elva Edna Hibbs; two brothers; Guy and Lester Lantz all of Sheridan, Mo.; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Early in her youth she became a member of the Christian Church. She was a kind and considerate wife, mother, grandmother, sister and neighbor and she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Dawson, Melinda Elizabeth Wise]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      January 31, 1924      [p. 1]

Mrs. Lizzie Dawson Dead

Mrs. Lizzie Dawson, mother of Ed [Francis Edgar] Dawson of this city and one of the oldest residents of the community, died last evening at the home of her son Ed, aged 90 years. Infirmities of old age are given as the cause of death.

The funeral will be held tomorrow (Friday) morning at 10:30 o’clock at the Church of Christ, conducted by Elder Edgar Price, and interment will be in Graceland cemetery west of town by the side of her husband who preceded her in death a number of years ago.

 

[Dawson, Nancy Keith]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       January 27, 1944      [p. 1]

Mrs. Nancy Dawson Dies Here Monday

Mrs. Nancy [Keith] Dawson, 86, died at the Armstrong Nursing Home in Bedford Monday, January 24.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 2 o’clock this afternoon, conducted by Rev. P. H. Peterson. Burial was in the Graceland cemetery.

Obituary will be published next week.

 

[Dawson, William Henry]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      March 3, 1927     [p. 1]

William Dawson Died Last Sunday

Funeral Held at Home Here on Tuesday

Wm. H. [enry] Dawson, old time resident of this city, passed away at his home here on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Dawson was 73 years of age at the time of his death.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday. The obituary will be published next week.

[Dawson, William Henry]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      March 10, 1927     p. 7

William H. Dawson

William H. [enry] Dawson, son of John and Melinda [Elizabeth Wise] Dawson, was born Dec. 25, 1853, in Cedar county, Iowa, and died Feb. 27, 1927, at 1:20 o'clock, aged 73 years, 2 months and 1 day. Mr. Dawson moved with his parents from Cedar County to Clinton County, Ia. In Clinton County Mr. Dawson was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Keith on June 24th, 1877. From there they moved to Hopkins, Mo., and there resided three years. Next they moved to Clyde, Mo., and lived three years, and from thence they moved to Bedford, Taylor County, Ia., and have made this their home since 1883. Three boys and two girls were born into the Dawson home. John, Joe, and [Charles] Ray Dawson, Mrs. Mary [Elizabeth] Goforth and Gertie Dawson. Gertie Dawson and Joseph preceded their father to the great eternity. His father and mother, one sister Irena [Sophia] and one brother Charley Dawson preceded him in death. He leaves to mourn his death besides his immediate family, one brother Edd Dawson, and a sister Mrs. Cecil Priest. Wm. H. [enry] Dawson united with the Church of Christ during the Martin and Eastin meetings.

Funeral services were held in the home and the interment was in Graceland cemetery. Rev. Fred Coley, minister of the local Church of Christ, officiated.

[Dowlin, Clifford]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      March 9, 1899      [p. 1]

Resting In Peace

Saturday evening, March 4, at 10 o'clock, an angel of light and life with the swiftness of thought caught up the immortal spirit of little Clifford, the three year old son of W. [illiam] C. [rawford] Dowlin and wife [Hannah Vandyke Fowler], five miles west of Bedford, and took it into the presence of the redeemed that surround the throne of God, there to sing and praise His name forevermore. The services were conducted by Elder Walters, after which the tenement of clay was laid away in the Titus cemetery.

[Hamilton, Alice May Garner]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 3, 1974      p. 10

Last Rites Held September 25 for Alice Hamilton

Funeral services for Mrs. James F. (Alice May) Hamilton, 82, of Bedford, held September 25 at the United Methodist Church in Bedford, were conducted by Carl Cummings. Mrs. Hamilton died at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, Mo. September 22, 1974. Interment was at Graceland Cemetery, rural Bedford.

Alice May Garner, daughter of Charles A. [lvarado] and Anna Lee Buttermore Garner, was born September 2, 1892, at Superior, Nebraska.

On February 7, 1912, she was united in marriage to James F. [ranklin] Hamilton at the home of her parents west of Bedford, Iowa, and they began their married life on the Miller farm six miles west of Bedford and five years later they moved to Yuma, Colorado, where they farmed until they returned to the Bedford area in 1930 where they farmed until they moved in to Bedford.

Her husband passed away April 17, 1970, following more than 58 years of married life together. She has since continued to reside in Bedford.

Two sons and two daughters were born to bless this home and they consider they were most fortunate to have been born to these parents, they are: Howard F.[ranklin] Hamilton of Yuma, Arizona, R. [obert] Leland Hamilton of St. Louis, Missouri, Mrs. Neil (Virginia) Satterlee of Seattle, Washington, and Mrs. Kenneth (Doris Jean) Parsons of Gunnison, Colo.

Left to cherish her memory in addition to the four children are ten grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Clyde (Maude) Cavender of Hollywood, California, and Mrs. Robert (Florence) Hamilton of Clarinda, Iowa; one brother, Ray Garner, of Bedford; other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters; Mrs. Blanche Stearns and Mrs. Grace Briggs.

When a young girl she was active in the Morning Star Church, a community church located west of Bedford, and when they moved from Colorado to Iowa in 1930 she placed her membership in the Bedford Methodist Church.

During these past few weeks her life gradually ebbed away, but she never gave up planning things for the future. The past two years she had traveled and visited in the homes of her four children and it was an enjoyable time for her although she realized that she would not be able to make these trips again.

Her life had been filled with many days of hard but enjoyable work. She had carried her share of heartaches and sorrow but she never forgot service to her church and to mankind. Her life was a standard of Christian living and she was happy in sharing this with others. Her love for beautiful flowers was the greatest when she could share the ones she raised with friends and shut-ins, which revealed the beauty of her own life.

In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, sister and friend, she will long be remembered by her many acts and deeds of kindness.

[Harkless, Martha Belle “Mattie” Ginn Dugan]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      January 31, 1957      p. 4

Mrs. Jay Harkless Dies At Clarinda

Funeral services were held in Clarinda Monday for Mrs. Mattie Harkless, 75, who died at Municipal Hospital Friday after a brief illness.

Mrs. Harkless [Martha Belle Ginn Dugan] was born near Conway and had been a Clarinda resident 25 years.

Surviving are her husband, [Henry] Jay Harkless; a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Erie, Denver, Colo.; a brother, Grover Dunn, Conway, three sisters, Mrs. Grace Beckett of Gravity, Mrs. Bonnie Wilson of Arcata, Calif., Mrs. Ethus Parsons of Hiawatha, Kans.

The services were at the Walker Funeral Home with Rev. Lester Greenwood officiating. Interment was in Graceland cemetery near Bedford.

[HARKLESS, MARTHA BELLE “MATTIE” GINN DUGAN]

Clarinda Herald-Journal, Monday, January 28, 1957, p. 6

Rites Monday For Mrs Jay Harkless

25-Year Resident of Clarinda Died at Hospital Here Friday

Funeral services were held here this Monday for Mrs. Mattie Harkless, 75, who died at the Municipal Hospital Friday at 8 a m after a brief illness.

Mrs Harkless was born near Conway. She had been a Clarinda resident for 25 years, the current home located at 201 W Washington St.

Surviving are her husband, [Henry] Jay Harkless; a daughter, Mrs Ruth Erie of Denver, Colo, a brother, Grover Ginn of Conway; and three sisters, Mrs. Grace Beckett of Gravity, Mrs. Bonnie Wilson of Arcata, Calif. and Mrs Ethus Parsons of Hiawatha, Kans.

The services were at the Walker Funeral Home with the Rev Lester Greenwood officiating. Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery near Bedford.

[Kiskadon, Samuel]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday      January 2, 1917       [p. 1]

SAMUEL KISKADON DIED IN MARYVille SATURDAY

Samuel Kiskadon died at his home in Maryville Saturday [December 30, 1916]84. The funeral services were held there Monday morning and the remains sent to Bedford on the noon train. Short services were held at the grave conducted by Elder Lee H. Barnum. Interment was made in the Graceland cemetery.

Samuel Kiskadon was born in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1845, and died at the age of 71 years and 19 days. His first wife died in 1886. In 1894 he was married to Emma Patterson, who survives. He is also survived by seven children. They are: Mrs. C. U. Sherley, Mrs. William Gibb, Harold, Edna, Stella, Roy and Marguerite Kiskadon at home.

[Kiskadon, William B.]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday       March 19, 1908      p. 4

Another Infant Gone

The death of William B. the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. S. [amuel] Kiskadon occurred at their home west of town on Sunday, the 15th of March, after two or three days of illness called pneumonia. All that love and medical skill could do was done but to no avail and God touched him with the wand of rest and his sufferings were over. This babe was born March 13, 1907, being just a few days over one year old at the time of death. Only a little while and yet it had put its impress on the very lives of the entire family to remain there till they too shall pass the same way. They put great dependence in the little one but as is many times the case all our plans and cherished ideals are dashed to the ground and we left to wonder in the presence of death. This little one was in the home but a short time but long enough to teach lessons of lasting importance. The little buds of possibility come into our homes for a few days but when they have gone leave a poem of regret in our hearts. The poet puts the thought aptly when he says:

"The days of our darling were few,

An angel's morning visit

That came and vanished with the dew,

'Twas here, ‘Tis gone, where is it?

I cannot tell to what sweet dell;

The angels may have borne him,

But this I know that thou can'st go

Where my heart will fail to find

thee ."

There comes a time in our lives when all the sympathy we can possibly receive from friend and neighbors will not suffice. The bereaved ones had the kindly ministrations of neighbors but it did not satisfy the longings of the heart—only Him who said, "Suffer the little ones to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven" can truly sympathize with them in this great bereavement. May the God of all comfort be their stay in this hour.

[Kiskadon, William B.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 19, 1908      [p. 1]

With the Angels

A sad death occurred in the country west of town Sunday in the death of William B., son of Mr. and Mrs. S. [amuel] Kiskadon, of pneumonia. The little one was sick but two or three days seriously when death came to release it from its pain and disease. It was born in March 1907, and died March 15, 1908, being but a few days over one year old. The hearts of the entire family were sore, for they placed great stress upon this little one and were reaping much enjoyment from its presence in the home; but, as has always been, death changes all plans and thwarts all our cherished ideals. This little one was never a strong child, but exceedingly bright, and had it lived would have brightened the home and brought joy, no doubt, to the hearts of the family. The little buds of possibility come into our homes for a few days and pass away, leaving a pang of regret in our hearts. The poet put the thought aptly when he said:

"The days of our darling one were few

An angel's morning visit

That came and vanished with the dew;

'Twas here. 'Tis gone. Where is it?

I canst not tell to what sweet dell

The angels may have borne thee;

But this I know that thou canst dwell

Where my heart will fail to find thee."

The funeral of the little one was held from the residence on Tuesday conducted by Geo. A. Hendrickson, of the Christian church of Bedford. The music was by a company of the friends and neighbors who rendered appropriate music. After the services at the home the little one was laid to rest in the Titus burying ground. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of a host of friends and neighbors but there comes a time in our lives when human sympathy fails; and if we do not lean on Him who can save, then we are of men most miserable. We commend them to the care of Him who said, "Suffer the little ones to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." —H.

[Miller, Jessie Margaret]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      November 2, 1961      [p. 1]

Jessie Miller, 97 Dies Here Mon.

Miss Jessie M. [argaret] Miller, 97, pioneer resident and long time school teacher in Taylor county, died at her home here last Monday afternoon.

Funeral services were held yesterday (Wed.) at 2:00 p.m. at the Madison St. Shum-Novinger Funeral Home with Rev. Anthony Blankers officiating. Burial was in Graceland cemetery.

Miss Miller was the last of six brothers and sisters. Her sister, Mary Frances, died here June 14, 1956.

[Miller, Jessie Margaret]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 9, 1961      p. 4

Final Rites For Jessie Miller

Services for Miss Jessie M. [argaret] Miller were held November 1 at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, Bedford, with Rev. Anthony Blankers officiating.  Burial was in Graceland cemetery.

Jessie Margaret Miller, daughter of James and Margaret Meredith Miller, was born on a farm west of Bedford on July 17, 1864 and died at her home in Bedford on October 30, 1961 at the age of 97 years, three months and thirteen days.

Educated in Taylor county schools of her day, she spent many years in teaching in the rural schools, and in the schools in New Market, and in Bedford. She loved children, and her teaching was a marked success.

Early in life, she became a member of the Morning Star Presbyterian Church, which at that time had a place of worship on land donated by her father. She later became affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, where she was a member at the time of her death. While she was able, she was active in the work of the Church, taught in the Sunday school, and gave expression of her wonderful faith in God to her friends and associates by words and by deeds. She read her Bible daily, knew its contents, and prayerfully tried to live according to its teachings.

Miss Jessie Miller had two sisters and three brothers, all of whom preceded her in death. No immediate relatives survive. Mr. Clarence Meredith, Bedford, is a cousin. Miss Margaret Meredith, a cousin, of Independence, Mo., attended the services.

[Miller, Kate F. M.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      August 11, 1938       [p. 1]

Miss Kate Miller Dies Thursday Eve

Miss Kate M. Miller, a resident of Taylor county all of her life, died at the family home in Bedford Thursday evening, August 4.

The funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Stanley Schlick. Burial was in the Graceland cemetery.

Miss Miller was born in Mason Township, Dec. 3, 1861. She is survived by two sisters and a brother, Miss Jessie [Margaret] Miller, Miss [Mary] Frances Miller, and William A. [rchibald] Miller, all of Bedford. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, having united with the church at the old Morning Star church, west of Bedford.

[Miller, Margaret Grey Meredith]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      January 11, 1912        p. 4

Obituary.

Margaret Grey Meredith was born in Bourbon County, Ky., February 22, 1827. At the age of six, with her mother and three brothers, she went to Rush County, Ind., and settled in the big woods near Rushville. A farm was cleared of its timber after much hard labor and here her girlhood days were spent.

She was married January 4, 1855 to James Miller. The following year they started overland toward the new west. Traveling was slow and difficult and they had the misfortune to lose their team of horses while enroute for Iowa. Procuring an ox team they pressed on westward and came to Albia, Iowa and spent the winter. In the summer of 1857, with their ox team, they came to Taylor county, and pre-empted land six miles west of Bedford. Their first house was a sod and slab shanty but in the course of time, Mr. Miller erected with his own hands a farmhouse, which for a long time was the only one of the kind in that immediate neighborhood. Mr. Miller taught school a number of terms walking a goodly distance each day in order to help his finances while getting a start in the new country. At this time there was nothing much to see excepting a broad expanse of prairie on all sides.

As a pioneer, Mrs. Miller saw some of the hardships of life both in Kentucky, Indiana and Iowa, all of which was new territory at the time she lived in these states. Yet all the while she cultivated the true spirit of kindness ard hospitality and her home was a great center, which many sought because there they were made to feel at home. Here the ministers of all denominations often stopped as they went about because they were always sure of a resting place and a welcome whenever their duties brought them into the neighborhood.

She united with the church in early life at Rushville, Ind. and later in 1859 became one of the charter members of the organization which became the Bedford Presbyterian church. She is the last one of that original band to pass away as she is also the last of her family. She was the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters. One son died in infancy. Her husband died August 27, 1895. She remained upon the same farm 52 years and came to Bedford in 1909, where she then made her home. After a lingering illness of 16 weeks, she passed away January 5, 1912, aged 84 years, 10 months and 13 days. With great patience and fortitude she awaited the end.

The funeral was held at her late home January 7, 1912 at 1:30 p. m. The service was conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie, assisted by Rev. W. B. Thompson. The body was laid to rest in the Titus cemetery beside that of her husband who passed on before. C

[Miller, Margaret Grey Meredith]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      January 11, 1912        p. 4

Obituary

Mrs. Margaret Miller.

Mrs. Margaret Miller died Friday at her home after an illness of about four months. She was nearly 86 years of age. Funeral services were held at the residence Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie, assisted by Rev. W. B. Thompson. Interment was in Titus cemetery by the side of the remains of her husband, James Miller.

Margaret Grey Meredith was born in Bourbon County, Ky., February 22, 1827. At the age of six, with her mother and three brothers, she went to Rush County, Ind., and settled in the big woods near Rushville. A farm was cleared of its timber after much hard labor and here her girlhood days were spent.

She was married January 4, 1855 to James Miller. The following year they started overland toward the new west. Traveling was slow and difficult and they had the misfortune to lose their team of horses while enroute for Iowa. Procuring an ox team they pressed on westward and came to Albia, Iowa and spent the winter. In the summer of 1857, with their ox team, they came to Taylor county, and pre-empted land six miles west of Bedford. Their first house was a sod and slab shanty but in the course of time, Mr. Miller erected with his own hands a farmhouse, which for a long time was the only one of the kind in that immediate neighborhood. Mr. Miller taught school a number of terms walking a goodly distance each day in order to help his finances while getting a start in the new country. At this time there was nothing much to see excepting a broad expanse of prairie on all sides.

As a pioneer, Mrs. Miller saw some of the hardships of life both in Kentucky, Indiana and Iowa, all of which was new territory at the time she lived in these states. Yet all the while she cultivated the true spirit of kindness ard hospitality and her home was a great center, which many sought because there they were made to feel at home. Here the ministers of all denominations often stopped as they went about because they were always sure of a resting place and a welcome whenever their duties brought them into the neighborhood. She united with the church in early life at Rushville, Ind. and later in 1859 became one of the charter members of the organization which became the Bedford Presbyterian church. She is the last one of that original band to pass away as she is also the last of her family. She was the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters. One son died in infancy. Her husband died August 27, 1895. She remained upon the same farm 52 years and came to Bedford in 1909, where she then made her home.

Surviving are two sons, John T. [homas] Miller and William [Archibald] Miller, and three daughters, [Mary] Frances Miller, Kate Miller and Jessie [Margaret] Miller.