Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
 
[Comstock, Mary Ann Largent Goggins]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      July 6, 1939      [p. 1]

Mrs. W. J. Comstock Dies At County Home

Mrs. Wm. J. Comstock, a resident of Bedford and Taylor County for many years, died at the County Home Monday, July 3. The funeral services were held at the Walker & Shum Funeral Home this afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. H.  Hallgrimson. Burial was in the Lexington cemetery.

Mary Ann Largent was born at Agency, Mo., Feb. 7, 1861, being aged 78 years, 4 months and 26 days at the time of her death. Her mother died when she was one year old and her father when she was aged three years, and she was reared by a married sister, Mrs. Sophia Flanigan. She also had one brother, a half sister and a half brother, all of whom preceded her in death.

She spent her childhood in the community of Confluence, Penn., and was married in 1886 to Morse Goggins. To them was born one daughter, who died in infancy, preceding the husband and father by one month.

In 1888 she was married to Wm. J. Comstock of Rockford, Ill. To them was born one daughter, Hazel B [lake]. The family moved to Newburg, New York in 1895 and three years later to Taylor County. In 1906 they retired from the farm, moving into Bedford. Mr. Comstock died several years ago. In 1936 Mrs. Comstock fell and fractured her hip, at which time she was taken to the county home.

She united with the Baptist church when young. She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. Hazel B. [lake] Henderson and her husband, Clifford Henderson of New Market; by seven grandchildren, and a nephew in San Diego, Cal.

[Daniels, George Francis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     October 23, 1947     [p. 1]

George F. Daniels Dies At Home Here

George F. [rancis] Daniels, a resident of Taylor County for many years, died at his home in Bedford Sunday forenoon, after having been in failing health for several years. He was operated on recently at the Missouri Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph, being brought home from there last Friday.

The funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. George W. Swan. Burial was in the Lexington cemetery.

George F. [rancis] Daniels was born near Coal Valley, Illinois, in Henry County, May 27, 1860, being aged 87 years, 4 months and 21 days at the time of his death. He came to Iowa with his parents when he was nine years of age, the family settling on a farm near Lenox.

He was married on November 23, 1887 to Miss Olive Litteer at Conway. They made their home in Conway until 1900, when they moved to Bedford. Mrs. Daniels preceded her husband in death on December 6, 1945.

[Davis, Leroy Comstock “Roy”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     May 12, 1938     [p. 1]

Roy Davis, 47, Ill Several Years, Dies

Roy Davis, 47, a resident of the community east of Bedford, died at the Missouri Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph, Wednesday, May 11. He had been ill for several years and spent some time in the hospital at Iowa City and also at Oakdale during the past year. He was taken to the hospital in St. Joseph a week previous to his death.

He is survived by his wife, who was the former Miss Nelle Burrows of Conway; by his mother, Mrs. John Davis; and by two sisters, Mrs. Frank Blane and Mrs. Guy Blane, both of Shenandoah.

The funeral services will be held at the Shum Funeral Home at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. F. Overhulser.

[Davis, Leroy Comstock “Roy”]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     May 19, 1938    p. 8

L. C. DAVIS

Leroy Comstock Davis, only son of John and Etta [Comstock] Davis, was born August 28, 1890 at Lorimor, Iowa. He came with his parents to Taylor county when three years of age and resided in the community of Bedford the remainder of his life.

In his boyhood he attended the Forest Grove and Clayton Center schools in Taylor County, and the Capitol City Commercial College in Des Moines. After leaving school he became a farmer, and was very successful in that vocation. He united with the Methodist church in early manhood.

He was married August 12, 1916 to Nelle Burrows of Conway, who survives.

He was held in high esteem by all who knew him and was always willing to sacrifice in order to help others.

Mr. Davis became ill Oct. 17, 1937 and died Wednesday, May 11, 1938, at the Missouri Methodist hospital in St. Joseph, where he was taken a week before. His suffering was intense but he bore it with patience and fortitude.

Surviving with the wife are his mother, Mrs. Etta [Comstock] Davis of Shenandoah; two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Blane and Mrs. Clarey Blane both of Shenandoah; two nephews, John Blane of Shenandoah and Max Smith of Salina, Kans., and a niece, Miss Margretta Blane of Shenandoah.

The funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral Home Friday afternoon conducted by Rev. W. F. Overhulser and burial was in the Lexington cemetery.

(Editor's note: The Times-Press was misinformed about Mr. Davis having been in the Oakdale Sanitarium recently, as was stated in the last issue. We regret the error.)

[Denser, James C.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      April 17, 1913      p. 4

James C. Denser

James C. Denser was born in Green County, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1852, and died at the home of his brother, John F. Denser in Bedford, Tuesday April 15.

Mr. Denser came to Taylor County thirty-eight years ago, and with the exception of two years spent in New Mexico, when he lived on a claim, he has counted the home of his brother named, his own home. He never married. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church when he was twenty years of age and manifested his devotion and sincerity by a blameless life and steadfast attendance upon the services of the church. His relation to those about him was singularly kind and obliging and those who knew him were his friends. He leaves four brothers, a sister, and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held at the home of John F. Denser today at 1:30 p. m., conducted by his pastor, the Rev. William B. Thompson. Interment will be at Lexington cemetery

[Denser, Jane Elizabeth Wright]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday       May 30, 1929      [p. 1]

Mrs. John Denser

Mrs. John Denser passed away at her home in Bedford Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. She was aged about 89 years. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by the Rev. M. R. Talley. Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery.

[Denser, Jane Elizabeth Wright]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      June 6, 1929       p. 7

Mrs. John Denser

Jane Elizabeth Wright was born at Johnstown, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1840, and entered into life eternal from the family home in Bedford, Iowa, May 28, 1929, at the age of 89 years and 4 months. Her girlhood and young womanhood days were spent in Johnstown. She was married to John F. Denser on Jan. 24, 1867. They moved immediately to the vicinity of Bedford, locating at Lexington where they lived for a number of years. Thirty-six years ago they moved to Bedford and their home has been here since that date. Three daughters were born to them, one of them dying in infancy. The other two are Mrs. Frank M. Boyd [Minnie] of Parsons, Kans., and Mrs. Ed C. Greeson [Cora] of Kokomo, Ind. There are five grandchildren, two grandsons and three granddaughters and four great grandchildren. The two daughters were present for the funeral services, and two granddaughters, Mrs. Milton Ross of Oklahoma City, and Miss Frances Boyd of Parsons, Kans. Mrs. Denser joined the Methodist church when she was eight years of age, and has had an unbroken relationship to the church lasting over eighty years.

Funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the Methodist church by the pastor, Rev. M. R. Talley, and the body laid to rest in Fairview cemetery.

[Denser, John F.]                                         [Moore, Clarence E.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 6, 1930      p. 5

The funerals of J. [ohn] F. Denser and Clarence Moore were held this afternoon. Mr. Denser, the oldest of the remaining 9 old soldiers of Bedford, passed away Tuesday evening. Mr. Moore, a Brother of Mrs. Nelle Golding and Mr. Karl Moore, passed away at Spokane, Wash. The obituary will be given next week.

[Denser, John F.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 13, 1930     [p. 1], 4

John F. Denser

John F. Denser, son of Jacob and Catherine Denser, was born in Washington, Green County, Pa., on July 17, 1837, and departed this life from his home in Bedford, Ia., on Tuesday evening, March 1, 1930, at the age of 92 years, 7 months and 17 days. Mr. Denser was one of a family of 8 children, next to the oldest in the entire family, and the last to survive. When about 25 years of age he moved from the state of Pennsylvania to the state of Ohio, where he followed his profession for two years. Following this he enlisted in the northern army with the 113th Ohio Infantry Co. D. Mr. Denser enlisted on the 23rd day of October 1862 and served his country in a very acceptable manner for three years. He received his honorable discharge from the service at Louisville, Ky., the 6th day of July 1865. Mr. Denser was one of the battalion who marched with Sherman to the sea. He was united in marriage in Johnstown, Ohio, to Miss Jane Elizabeth Wright on Jan. 24, 1867, and to this happy union three daughters were born as follows: Mrs. Frank N. [ewton] Boyd [Minnie] of Bedford, Mrs. Ed C. Greeson [Cora] of Kokomo, Ind., and Mary Maude, who died in infancy. He also leaves two grandsons and three granddaughters, and four great grandchildren. Mr. Denser united with the Methodist church very early in life, and was a member of the Methodist church in Bedford at the time of his death. In the passing out of Mr. Denser, Bedford and community are losing one of her oldest and most splendid citizens. We also note in his passing the fading of the field of blue. Their ranks are growing thinner each day, and the old coat of blue will soon be a matter of sacred history.

The funeral services were held at the Methodist church last Thursday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell. Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery.

[Fanning, Luther Allison]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday     April 2, 1936     [p. 1]

Luther Fanning a Pneumonia Victim

Luther A. [llison] Fanning, husband of Edna Kemple of Bedford, died at Wheelen, Montana, Sunday, following an attack of pneumonia contracted while working on Boulder Dam.

Fifty-three years of age, Mr. Fanning is survived by his mother, three brothers and six sisters.

The body was returned to Bedford where short services were held from the Wetmore chapel. Interment was in Fairview.

[Fanning, Luther Allison]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday     April 2, 1936      p. 6

Mrs. Lute Fanning arrived in Bedford Monday evening from her home in Wheelen, Montana. She accompanied the body of her husband who was brought here for burial. Mrs. Fanning [Edna Kemple] is remaining in Bedford a few days at the home of her mother, Mrs. Mary Kemple, before returning to Montana.

 [Griffith, Guy Webster, Infant of]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      December 16, 1909       p. 4

The infant of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Griffith, was buried Monday.

[Griffith, Guy Webster]

Clearfield Chronicle

Thursday     June 3, 1965     p . 9

Pearl Griffith and JoAnn Nigh of Sheridan, Mo. attended a funeral, May 18th for Guy [Webster] Griffith at Maryville, Mo., who had passed away suddenly Saturday the 16th. Mr. Griffith was a former resident of Bedford. He was born and raised near the Lake of Three Fires.

[Howe, Nancy A. Johnson]

Taylor County Democrat

Thursday     February 7, 1895      p. 4

Mrs. Ed. Howe died at her home, three miles northeast of Bedford, at 3 o'clock on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 1895. Funeral services will he held at the Mehan school house in Clayton township this afternoon, conducted by Rev. M. C. Waddell.

Obituary next week.

[Howe, Nancy A. Johnson]

Taylor County Democrat

Thursday     February 14, 1895     [p. 1]

The Grave

Mrs. Edward Howe, nee Nancy A. Johnson, was born Jan. 16, 1823. She was married to Edward Howe Dec. 3, 1860 [1850], in Vinton County, Ohio. Mrs. Howe died, after an illness of several years duration, at her home in Clayton Township, Taylor County, Iowa, Feb. 5, 1895. The deceased leaves a husband, two sons and a daughter to mourn her departure. She was the mother of four children, one having died in infancy. Three sisters and two brothers also survive her. She joined the M. E. church in her youth, but of late years she has been a member of the U. B. church. She was a good woman. The funeral services were conducted at the home of the deceased Thursday, February 7th, at 11.a.m., by M.C. Waddell, pastor of the First M. E. church of Bedford, after which her body was laid to rest in Lexington cemetery.

[Note: Edward Howe’s obituary and database, Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958, gives the marriage date as Dec. 3, 1850.]

[McKinley, Inez]

Iowa South-west

Saturday     September 14, 1878      p. 3

---Little Inez, daughter of Rev. McKinley, aged nine months, departed this life on Friday last. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place from the Presbyterian Church, at four o'clock, on Saturday afternoon. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Blodgett.

[McKinley, Inez]

Taylor County Republican

Thursday      September 12, 1878       p. 3

Inez McKinley, aged nine months, a daughter of Rev. McKinley, departed this life on Friday last. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon at four o'clock from the Presbyterian Church and was very largely attended. Rev. Blodgett delivered the funeral sermon.

[Moore, Clarence E.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 13, 1930     [p. 1]

Clarence E. Moore

Clarence E. Moore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Moore [Mercie Wetmore], was born on a farm near Villisca, Iowa, on May 9, 1872, and departed this life from the hospital in Spokane, Wash., on Tuesday, February 25, 1930, at the age of 57 years and 9 months. Mr. Moore lived on a farm near Villisca, Ia., until he was 4 years of age, when he moved with his parents to Bedford, Ia., where he resided 29 years of his life. In 1901 he moved to the State of Washington, where he lived for 25 years, and where he was living at the time of his death. He enlisted in the United States army during the Spanish-American war, and served his country in a very acceptable manner until the close of the war. He was a member of Co. I, 51st Iowa Infantry. Those left to mourn his death are his sister, Mrs. Frank Golding of Bedford, and his brother, Mr. Earl Moore, also of Bedford. His father and mother and two brothers have preceded him in death. Mr. Moore ‘s death took place in the hospital in Spokane, Wash., following an operation. We are sure his relatives and friends will have the sympathy of Bedford and community. Very early in life Mr. Moore united with the Methodist church in Bedford, and was a member of the Methodist church in Spokane, Wash., at the time of his death.

Funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. Golding last Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell. Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

[Parks, John Marion]

Taylor County Republican

Thursday      September 12, 1878     p. 3

—On last Thursday, Mr. J. [ohn] M. [arion] Parks, residing a short distance northwest of Conway, died of typhoid fever. The deceased was about forty-five years of age and formerly lived in Benton Township, west of this city.

[Parks, John Marion]

Iowa South-west

Saturday       September 14, 1878      p. 3

Died.

Sept. 5th, 1878, in Marshall Township of typhoid fever, Mr. John M. [arion] Parks, aged 40 years, leaving a wife and eleven children.

How short the race our brother run

Cut down in full health and bloom,

The course but yesterday begun

Now finished in the tomb.

Asleep in Jesus, O for me

May such a blissful refuge be;

Securely shall my ashes lie

Waiting the summons from on

High.              W. C. P.

[Parks, Sarah Catharine Ragan]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     January 24, 1929      p. 3

Mrs. Sarah C. Parks

J. [onathan] D. [avis] Parks has received word from Clarkston, Wash., of the death of his mother, Mrs. Sarah C. [atharine Ragan] Parks, which occurred Monday morning. The body is being sent to Conway, where the funeral services will be held and interment will be made at Lexington cemetery. Mrs. Parks was 87 years old and passed away at the home of a daughter, Mrs. H. [enry] M. Fluharty [Martha Ann].

[Parks, Sarah Catharine Ragan]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     January 31, 1929      p. 6

Sarah Ragan Parks

Sarah Catharine Ragan was born March 12, 1842, in Kentucky and departed this life Jan. 21st, 1929, at 5:30, at the age of 86 years, 10 months and 9 days. At the age of eight years she with her parents moved to Danville, Ind., where on Jan. 28, 1858, she was united in marriage to John Marion Parks. To this union was born eleven children, nine of whom survived her. In the year 1869 the family moved by covered wagon to Taylor County, Ia. Her husband departed this life Sep. 5, 1878, and a month later on Oct. 22, the youngest child, Evert Lee, followed the father to the great beyond. No other break occurred in the family circle until March 9, 1928, when the eldest daughter, Mrs. Sarah E. [lizabeth] Hayes passed away at Gifford, Ida., and was buried at that place March 12, the 86th birthday of the mother. The children residing in the west and who were with her in her last hour are Mrs. H. [enry] M. Fluharty [Martha Ann], Mrs. Cora E. [tta] Veach and E. [dgar] M. [onroe] Parks of Clarkston, C. [harles] A. [nson] Parks of Culdesac, as well as the daughters-in-law and the granddaughters who were faithful attendants at her bedside. The remaining children, Mrs. D.[avid] E. [lmer] Chilcote [Harriett Louella], L.[awrence] A. [lbert] Parks of Conway, Ia; J.[onathan] D. [avis] Parks of Bedford, Ia.; T. [homas] J. [efferson] Parks of Carlisle, Ia.; and W.[illiam] V.[orhees] Parks of Chicago, Ill.; were present at the funeral service in Conway. The deceased is also survived by 34 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. In her early married life she united with the Abuers Creek Baptist church of Indiana and later transferring her membership to the Baptist church near Conway, Iowa, of which she was a faithful and devoted follower. She remained a faithful believer to the last although in later years unable to attend services of her church. Death came after a short illness of little more than a week.

Funeral services were held at Clarkston, Wash., and later the body was brought to Conway, arriving Jan. 26. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Wilkins at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 1:30. Interment was made in the Lexington cemetery.

Three great granddaughters acted as flower bearers. Those who attended the funeral from a distance were C. A. Parks of Culdesac, Idaho; Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Parks of Carlisle, Iowa; Carl Parks of Newton, Iowa; W. V. Parks of Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. Sam Chancellor of Council Bluffs, Ia; and Rev. and Mrs. E. E. Parks of Prairie City, Iowa.

[Reid, Annie]

Iowa South-west

Saturday     April 14, 1878      p. 3

Annie, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Reid was buried on Tuesday last.

[Rock, Mary Elizabeth Anderson]

Taylor County Democrat

Thursday     February 7, 1895      p. 4

Mrs. A. [lfred] B. Rock [Mary Elizabeth Anderson], wife of A. [lfred] B. Rock, manager of the B. C. grocery, died at the home of her parents near Keota, Ia., at 6:30 o'clock a. m Saturday, Feb. 2, 1892, aged 37 years.

Mrs. Rock has been an invalid from a heart trouble for several years, and on Thursday of last week In company with her husband, went from this city to the home of her parents near Keota. She was in her usual health and spirits until within a few minutes before death ended her suffering. Mr. and Mrs. Rock came to this city strangers only a few months ago, but had made many friends since, who deeply sympathize with the bereaved husband.

[Starkey, John]

Taylor County Republican

Thursday      September 12, 1878    p. 3

Mr. John Starkey died at his residence near Conway on last Friday afternoon of consumption, after a lingering illness. Mr. Starkey was about seventy-six years of age and had resided near Conway for the past twenty-two years. He had served with credit during the rebellion in Capt. Parke's cavalry, in which company he also had several sons.

[Starkey, John]

Iowa South-west

Saturday     September 14, 1878      p. 3

—Another old settler gone. Mr. John Starkey, for twenty years a resident of this county, died at his residence near Conway, September 6th.

[Stewart, Thomas Gourley]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 6, 1930     [p. 1]

Thomas Gourley Stewart

Thomas Gourley Stewart was born in Washington County, Pa., July 3, 1858, and departed this life Feb. 23, 1930, at his home near Bedford, Iowa, aged 71 years, 7 months and 20 days. He was the son of William and Rebecca Gourley Stewart, and one of a family of seven. One brother died two years ago. Five sisters survive him, Mrs. Mary Bolt, Villisca; Mrs. Alice Bryson, Villisca; Mrs. Jennie Bean, Lincoln, Nebr.; Mrs. Kate Hallam, Villisca; and Mrs. Charles Patent, Atlanta, Ga. When Thomas was nine years of age he came with his parents to Villisca, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He moved to Taylor county when about 23 years of age, engaging in the hardware and grocery business in Gravity for about ten years. For two terms he served Taylor County as its Clerk of the Courts, and when he was elected to that office came to Bedford, where he has since made his home. After his term of office as Clerk of the Courts he became a salesman for a monument company. About 8 years ago he moved to the farm which was his home until his death. On March 29, 1910, he was married to Anna Newlon at Red Oak, Iowa. To them one son, Thad, was born. Two daughters by a former marriage are Mrs. Edna Zimmerman, and Mrs. Caddie Savage, both of Des Moines, who were present for the funeral services. One son, R. E. Stewart, of Fargo, North Dakota, could not be present on account of sickness in his home. One daughter, Mrs. Carrie Barnard, died during the flu epidemic in 1919. There arc two grandsons, Stanley Zimmerman and Kermit Savage. One granddaughter, Helen Barnard, died at the age of five years in 1910. He has been a member of the church for many years. He served as Sunday School Superintendent while in Gravity and has been faithful to his Christian ideals through many years. For several years he has not been in the best of health. About four weeks ago he contracted pneumonia from which he had practically recovered but he was left weakened by its attack so that he was not able to throw off the poisons of the system. On Monday evening after a day that seemed to promise complete recovery he quickly weakened and in a moment was gone.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist church on Thursday afternoon at 2:30, conducted by the pastor, Rev. M. R. Talley, and the body laid to rest in Fairview cemetery.

[Stewart, Thomas Gourley]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 6, 1930      p. 5

Out of town relatives and friends, attending the funeral of T. [homas] G. [ourley] Stewart Thursday were: Mrs. Gar Savage, Mr. and Mrs. Chet Zimmerman, Des Moines; Mrs. Mary C. Bolt, Mrs. Alice Bryson, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bolt, Chas. and Fred Greenley, and Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Thompson, Villisca; Frank E. Newlon, Colome, S. Dak.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hutchinson and two sons, Anderson, Ia.; Frank Smith, Bogard, Mo.; Mrs. Henry Kauffman and daughter, Ravenna, Nebr.; Mrs. Jennie Bean, Lincoln, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Alex Hallman, Sciola, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Holland and two daughters, Morton Mills, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Lophold, Red Oak; Will Stewart, Tina, Mo.; Mrs. Thad Bean, Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. Hal Maxwell, Clarinda; Miss Nora Zimmerman, Creston.