Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
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Times-Republican Thursday May 28, 1925 [p. 4] Elizabeth F. Valentine Elizabeth F., daughter of William and Jane Watson, was born at Berwick, Ill., Dec. 13, 1863, and departed this life in the early morning of May 21, 1925, after an illness of 16 months duration, of which she was a patient sufferer. She united with the Christian church at Cameron, Ill., at the age of 16 years. She was united in marriage to A. [ndrew] D. [ouglas] Valentine on January 29, 1884, at Berwick, Ill. They moved to Nebraska shortly after their marriage, and later to Iowa, where she resided until death. To this union were born seven children, five sons and two daughters: Harry G. [eorge], Chester L. [ewis], Ward D. [ouglas], and Addison, all of Bedford; Vernon at home; Mrs. Chas. McMaster [Clara] of Bedford, and Mrs. Orville Cox [Jane] of Fleming, Colo., who, with the husband, survive. Also twelve grandchildren. All were with her when the end came. Deceased was of a family of six children, all grew to manhood and womanhood and have departed this life, except two, one sister and one brother. They are George Watson of Fedora, S. D., and Mary Watson of Berwick, Ill. Several nieces and nephews survive. Times-Republican Thursday November 19, 1925 [p. 1] F. P. Beard Died Here After Long Illness Freeman P. Beard, prominent resident of Bedford, died at his home here on Tuesday, Nov. 17, after a long illness. He had been confined to his bed for the past five months. He was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, on Jan. 20, 1867. He came to Taylor County in 1872, his father purchasing a farm of 320 acres in Ross Township. On Feb. 11, 1892, he was united in marriage to Mary E. McCormick. One son was born to them, Harold F. [ern], who died a number of years ago. Mr. Beard was identified with Taylor Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Triangle Chapter, R. A. M. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. For several years past, Mr. and Mrs. Beard had been spending the winters in California and the southern states. He is survived by his wife, and one brother, L. [awrence] E. [mery] Beard, of this city. Funeral services were held at the home this afternoon, conducted by Rev. Luce of the Presbyterian Church. Interment was made in Fairview cemetery. A number of out-of-town relatives are in Bedford attending the funeral. Times-Republican Thursday April 13, 1922 [p. 2] Obituary Ann Fenno was the fourth daughter of O. [tis] W. [ashington] and Alma Fenno, born January 29th, 1840, Cook County, Illinois. In 1853 she immigrated to Bedford, Iowa, with her parents, where she lived until seven years ago when after the death of her husband, May 28, 1914, she went to South Dakota, where she lived with her daughter, Mrs. A. [lbert] B. Shaw [Sarah Loudesca], until her death, April 7th, 1922. On July 29th, 1862, she was married to O. [badiah] W. [right] Houk. To this union were born six children, two of whom preceded her to the better world, George W. [ashington], March 4, 1897, and Junia B. [eatrice], Sept. 21, 1908. She is survived by two daughters and two sons, Mrs. A. [lbert] B. Shaw [Sarah Loudesca], St. Charles [Township, Gregory County], So. Dak., and Mrs. [Ella] May Barngrover, Huntley, Nebr.; Fred A.[rthur] Houk, Gravity, Ia.; and Harry W. [right] Houk of Des Moines, Iowa; also twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren, one aged sister, Mrs. Frank [Samuel] Dallison [Frances], of Bedford, Iowa, and a host of friends. The body arrived in Bedford Tuesday morning and services were held at the Baptist church at 3 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Fletcher, after which the body was laid to rest in the Bedford cemetery. At the time of her death she was 82 years of age and had been a member of the Baptist church for 66 years. The children were all in attendance at the funeral to pay their last respects to their best friend on earth, Mother. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved family. Times-Republican Thursday April 13, 1922 [p. 2] Obituary Albert S. [L.] Montgomery, son of Harlan and Anna [Heller] Montgomery, was born at Bedford, July 27, 1889, and died at Peoria, Ill., April 9, 1922, aged 32 years, 8 months and 12 days. He was married February 9, 1909, to Ethel Templeton, and to them one child, a daughter, was born. He leaves to sorrow, his father (the mother having passed away Mar. 30, 1904), stepmother, Ellen Montgomery, three brothers, C. [onrad] J., of Ottumwa, Ia.; Frank of Des Moines, Ia.; William, of St. Joseph, Mo.; and two sisters, Mrs. Dora Larmor, Pasadena, Calif.; Mrs. Grace Miller, Des Moines, Ia., and his daughter, Ruth, of Omaha, Neb. Mr. Montgomery attended school and grew to manhood here at Bedford, and became a registered pharmacist, having received special training at Highland Park College, Des Moines, Ia. He continued in his chosen profession until called from this earth's activities by the grim reaper. Since an attack of influenza about three years ago he has not enjoyed the best of health. At 16 years of age he united with the Church of Christ here under the ministry of Elder Ferguson. At one time he was a member of the K. of P. lodge and ever endeavored to live up to its great principles of Friendship, Charity and Benevolence. His body arrived here on the train Tuesday morning from Peoria, and following a short funeral service at the home of his parents Wednesday at 10 a. m., the body was buried in the home cemetery. Times-Republican Thursday April 13, 1922 [p. 2] Called To That Home Above Opal Parks died at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. [onathan] D. [avis] Parks [Rachael Carmichael], Sunday evening, April 9, 1922, about 9:30 o'clock, aged 16 years, 11 months and 27 days. Opal Ree Parks, daughter of Earl Parks, was born near Bedford, April 12, 1905. When three years of age she moved with her parents to Seattle, Wash., where she made her home until about 3 years ago, when the family returned to Bedford on account of the mother's failing health. The mother [Maude Hamilton] passed away in December 1919. Opal was a member of the Bedford High School of the class of 1923, but on account of her health was compelled to discontinue her school duties a little more than a year ago. April 4th, of last year, she was taken to the Sanitarium at Iowa City to receive treatment and remained there until March 17, 1922, when she was brought home. She is survived by her father, one sister, Ruth Parks, her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. [onathan] D. [avis] Parks, and Mr. Andy Hamilton besides a host of relatives and friends. Opal was a very patient sufferer during her entire sickness and greeted everyone with a smile. She was a great lover of flowers and almost her last words were about the flowers that had been sent to her during her sickness. She was conscious until the last and talked of her mother and Uncle Hugh Parks, who are waiting for her in the Great Beyond. She was not afraid to go but was ready and willing. Opal was a very extraordinary scholar for her age and has written a great deal of poetry. She contributed as many as a dozen articles to last year's Annual of the Bedford High School. ________________________________________________________________________ (Written when she was 15 years old) Oh, thou spectral shadowy phan- tasm Hovering o'er the pathway of us all, Tell us when, Oh, when, you'll Drop those dark, enveloping wings That shut out the past long gone by The present so sweet and the Future that shines so brightly, It seemeth as tho' you come not rightly. But follow thine own desires alone Thou comest to us all; but when, oh, when? Thou comest alike to the rich and poor. Art thou rich to let bribes not tempt Thee? Art thou deaf to let our prayers not reach Thee? Thou comest at will but why? Dost not many pray Thee for thy Everlasting Draught Dost not heed their prayers Dost not many pray Thee for Life---- Just a few short years? Dost not heed their prayers? ŅI may not come at will, O Mortal, I, not like the Sword of Damas- cus, Hang o'er your pathway by a thread, But I am sent by the God of Ages, Sent to gather His Harvest in. His is the Word that binds me, Him only I obey so that safely you may ride, Pass over the tumbling tide, Lift you over the River of Time Safely across to the Golden Shore Far glorious beyond compare." -------Opal Parks The funeral was held Tuesday, conducted by E. E. Lowe, after which the body was taken to the Lexington cemetery and laid away beside the body of her mother who preceded her about 3 years ago. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the entire community. |