Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
Clearfield Enterprise
Thursday October 15, 1936 [p. 1]
Clarence Aitken Dies.
At about 1:00 p. m., on Tuesday, Clarence Aitken, oldest son of Mr. Harry Aitken, deputy treasurer, died at his fatherŐs home in Bedford.
Death resulted from Bright's disease. About fourteen years since Clarence had a long siege with that disease, and after two or three years had recovered a large measure of health and strength. He has been ever since in the U. S. mail service, working in Des Moines He had a recurrence of the disease this year, and has been waging a losing fight since spring. For the past four weeks he had been in Bedford, and given every possible care. He was 35 years of age. Coming to Clearfield about 1912, he graduated from C. H. S. in the class of 1919. The body was brought here on Tuesday, and the funeral is to be held today, Thursday, at the Methodist church.
Clearfield Enterprise
Thursday October 15, 1936 p. 2
We hear that Harold Aitken had arranged to leave Lima, O., for Iowa on Tuesday—before he could know that his brother had died. He had been kept well advised by many messages during the last month.
Clearfield Enterprise
Thursday October 15, 1936 p. 3
The burial of the late Clarence Aitken will be at Promise City, and the party will leave at about 12:30 today for that place.
Clearfield Enterprise
Thursday October 22, 1936 [p. 1]
Clarence J. Aitken
Clarence J. Aitken, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Aitken [Clara Mae Hanna], was born April 21, 1901, at Plano, Ia. and departed this life at the home of his father, in Bedford, Iowa, on October 13, 1936, aged 35 years, 5 months, and 22 days, from an illness that had impaired his health for many years.
In 1912, at the age of 11 years, Clarence came with his parents to Clearfield, where he grew up to manhood, graduating with the Class of 1919 from the Clearfield High School.
For two years following his graduation from high school, he attended Iowa State College at Ames, Iowa, and returning from Ames, he assisted his father in [a] general mercantile store in Clearfield for some time until he took a position with the Burlington Railway at Creston.
However, after a year at this work, Clarence was taken ill and for months battled the disease that seemed certain to claim his life but apparently having overcome his sickness, he returned to Clearfield, to be the assistant postmaster for his father who was then postmaster. In 1928 he went to Des Moines to attend Business College, where he continued his Civil Service work---after a year in the post office at Mount Ayr. In 1930 he transferred to the Post Office Dept. at Des Moines and has since continued with the Service until a little while before his death.
Clarence was very proficient in his work, and had gained many promotions in his line.
Some few weeks ago he became too ill to be at his desk, and was brought to the home of his folks in Bedford, where all that loving hands could do was done that his comfort might be complete, but the human body could not resist the disease — and he answered his Master's call to the beautiful land beyond to join his mother and sister who had preceded him in death.
Clarence was a member of the Methodist Church of Clearfield, a young man of Christian character and influence, always highly respected and loved by friends and associates wherever he may have chanced to be.
He leaves to mourn his passing his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Aitken, of Bedford, Iowa; one brother and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Aitken, of Lima, Ohio; one sister, Florence, of Des Moines, other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held on Thursday at 10:30 at Clearfield Methodist church. Pastor W. C. Hann spoke from "It is finished"—singing was by a quartet, with a solo by Mrs. Opal Williams, a schoolmate of the deceased. His fellow workers in the postal service were present and some of them were pallbearers. Interment was at Promise City, Iowa.
Bedford Free Press
Thursday May 9, 1907 p. 8
Word reached here Tuesday of the death of Mr. Jerry Wilson, of Conway. It seems that he and his wife were at Excelsior Springs, Mo., and that he suddenly dropped dead at that place. The remains arrived at Conway Wednesday afternoon for burial, and the funeral will be held this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at Conway, conducted by Elder Edgar Price and under the auspices of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. lodges. Mr. Wilson was born in New York April 29, 1839, and was in consequence 68 years and 7 days old at the time of his death. He came to Conway in the early days of its history and has been engaged in grain buying for years at that place. He was well and favorably known in Bedford and throughout the county, and the sad intelligence will be read with deepest regret.
Bedford Free Press
Thursday May 9, 1907 p. 8
At 10:50 Wednesday morning, occurred the death of Charles Tinder in Bedford. The funeral will be held from the residence Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, conducted by Elder Edgar Price. Mr. Tinder was born in Indiana May 15th, 1830, being nearly 77 years of age. He leaves a daughter at home, Miss Mildred, and a son living in Michigan. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved relatives.
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday May 9, 1907
Death of Charles Tinder
Chas. Tinder one of the old settlers of Taylor County died at his home in southwest Bedford yesterday forenoon. Mr. Tinder had not been in good health for a long time. Nearly twenty years ago he suffered from a stroke of paralysis from which he never recovered, and his death, though it brings sorrow inexpressible to his loved ones, was not unexpected. The funeral will take place tomorrow (Friday) at 1:30 p. m., at the home, conducted by Rev. Price. Interment at Bedford cemetery.
Bedford Free Press
Thursday May 9, 1907 p. 5
Obituary.
Died, at her home in Ross Township April 30th, 1907, at 8 o'clock p. m., Mrs. Mabel M. [Jones] Mothershed [Mothershead] aged 26 years, 6 months and 23 days.
Deceased was born in Nodaway County, Mo., only a few miles distant from the home in which she died. She was the daughter of Mrs. Emma John. She was married Dec. 4, 1898, to Jesse L. [eland] Mothershed [Mothershead]. To this union there were born four children, one of whom preceded her to the eternal world. She leaves a husband, three children, a mother, one sister and many relatives and friends to mourn her seemingly untimely death. She embraced the faith in Christ and obeyed the gospel in 1895 and was a consistent and devoted Christian, having her membership in the Berea congregation of the church of Christ.
She was a victim of that dreaded disease consumption and was a long but patient sufferer enduring all her afflictions with great Christian fortitude. She fully realized that she was fast passing away and a little while before she expired she said to her mother and other friends at her bedside "if you will watch me just a little longer all will be over.''
The funeral obsequies were held at the home at 11 o'clock a. m. May 2d, conducted by Elder Wm. Cobb. The discourse was preached from John 14-1-6, a large gathering of friends and neighbors attending, after which the remains were laid to rest in the beautiful Hopkins cemetery.
[Note: The same obituary was published in the Bedford Times-Republican, May 9, 1907.]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 7, 1974 p. 4
Mae M. Besco, 81, Final Rites Held January 31
Funeral services for Mae Margaret Besco, 81, of Des Moines, were held January 31 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Ward Campbell officiating. Mrs. Besco died in Des Moines January 28, 1974. Interment was at Platteville Cemetery, Taylor County, Iowa.
Mae Margaret Besco, daughter of George L. [ewis] and Hannah [Morgan] Brown, was born October 19, 1892 on a farm near Platteville in Taylor County.
She was united in marriage to Edna R. [ichard] Besco on September 6, 1916. To this union three children were born.
At an early age she joined the Baptist Church, later transferring her membership to the Methodist Church in Conway, Iowa. She was a member of the Immanuel United Methodist Church of Des Moines; also she was a member of the Adelpic Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star of Des Moines.
Preceding her in death were her parents, one sister, her husband, Edna, two sons, Ernest Richard and Beryle Bourke.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Viola Katherine, of Des Moines; one brother, Ilo M. Brown, of Omaha, a sister-in-law, Lola M. Brown, of Omaha; cousin, Hazel Blane, of Bedford; nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Most of her life was spent in Taylor County except for a few years on a farm near Maryville, Missouri. The last 12 years she lived with her daughter in Des Moines, Iowa.
Mae will be greatly missed by her family, friends and neighbors.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 21, 1974 p. 4
Mrs. Fred McKune Final Rites Held February 18
Funeral services for Mrs. Fred (Miranda) McKune, 85, of Gravity, were held at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford Mon., Feb. 18. Mrs. McKune died February 15, 1974 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Ia. Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.
Miranda Akers McKune, daughter of Richard [Zackary] Taylor Akers and Amanda [Elizabeth] Slyker Akers, was born August 2, 1888, near Gravity.
She was united in marriage to Fred McKune on April 16, 1916 and they farmed until about 30 years ago when they moved to Gravity where she has since continued to reside. Her husband passed away in 1946.
She was the last member of her family, having been preceded in death by brothers and sisters: Herbert, Iva, Espy, Oscar, Lena, Ben, Neal and Dulla.
Left to cherish her memory are two sisters-in-law, Iva Akers and Letha McKune; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.
She had lived in Taylor County all of her life and she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.
[Note: Iowa, Select Marriages, 1909-1992 gives the marriage date as Mar. 12, 1916 at Gravity, Taylor County, Iowa.]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 28, 1974 p. 3
Last Rites Held February 25 for Ora Huntsman
Funeral services for John Ora Huntsman, 82, of Gravity, were held Mon., Feb. 25, at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford. Mr. Huntsman died in a nursing home in Clarinda February 22, 1974. Interment was at Old Memory Cemetery in New Market.
Ora Huntsman, son of William [Bates] and [Selena] Lena White Huntsman, was born September 12, 1891, in Page County, Iowa.
In 1916 he was united in marriage to Ruth Hopkins at Bedford and to this union five children were born.
He lived his entire life in this area with the exception of 13 years, which he and his family spent in California.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Ula [Eula Goldie], and a son, Donald [Ora], three sisters, Elsie [Ellen], Nellie [Caroline] and Alice [Mae] and a twin brother, Oya.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ruth; three sons, Leonard [Lee] and Lloyd [Darrel] of this area and Dick [Richard Floyd] of California; two daughters-in-law; 17 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one brother, Dow Huntsman of Gravity; two sisters, Sue [Surilda Mary] and [Eula] Goldie Morehouse of Bedford; other relatives and many friends.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Gravity and he had joined the Church of Christ of New Market.
Ora was a kind and loving husband, father and brother and he will be sadly missed by his family as well as other relatives and his many friends.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 28, 1974 p. 3
Mary Proctor, 85, Last Rites Held February 20
Funeral services for Mrs. Earl (Mary Grace) Proctor, 85, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, were held February 20 in Mt. Pleasant. Mrs. Proctor died at Henry County Hospital February 17, 1974, after a short illness. Interment was at Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.
Mary Grace Proctor, the daughter of George and Ida Carr Wisdom, was born February 20, 1888 near Redding, Iowa.
On June 6, 1908 at Blockton she was married to Earl H. [enry] Proctor.
She lived in the Redding and Blockton communities moving [to] Keosauqua, Iowa, in 1942. In 1952 they moved to Mt. Pleasant to make their home near their son and family.
She was a member of the Christian Church of Blockton and American Legion Auxiliary.
Besides her husband, who died November 8, 1962, she was predeceased by her only son, Earl Morton, one sister and four brothers.
She is survived by her daughter- in-law, Esther Proctor, of Mt. Pleasant; four grandsons and one granddaughter.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 18, 1933 [p. 1]
G. Collins Commits Suicide at His Home
Funeral services for George Collins, 21, of Siam were to be held at the Methodist church in Siam at 2:30 this afternoon. Collins is the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Collins. Collins committed suicide Tuesday noon by shooting himself. He had been in poor health for the past several years.
Taylor County Herald
Thursday May 18, 1933 [p. 1]
SIAM YOUTH IS FOUND DEAD IN SMALL RAVINE
George Collins Shoots Himself With Rifle Tuesday A. M.
George Collins, 21, son of Mr and Mrs. Walter Collins, of the vicinity of Siam, was found dead in a bunch of swale grass at the bottom of a small ravine on the Frank Sleep farm Tuesday afternoon.
Dr. P. J. Gustin, county coroner, was called and pronounced the death from suicide, which was explained by a note in the boy's own handwriting, found in his pocket. The self-inflicted death was brought about by shooting himself in the center of the forehead, using a twenty-two-caliber rifle.
While he was a big, robust young man, looking the picture of health, he was suffering with heart trouble and ill health is credited with being the cause of the rash act.
He left the house sometime during the forenoon of the day of his death, saying to his mother he thought a walk might do him good. He took the rifle along but nothing was thought of it.
However, when he did not return at the noon hour, the family became uneasy and a search was made, the body being found in a small ravine on the farm occupied by Frank Sleep, some half mile or more from the Collins home, life being extinct when the body was discovered.
The deceased was born in the Siam vicinity and had lived there all his life, being held in high esteem by all who knew him, he being an exceptionally fine young man and his tragic death has cast a gloom over the entire neighborhood.
Besides the parents he leaves three brothers, Albert, who is married, and Howard and Russell at home.
Funeral services will be held this afternoon at the Siam Methodist church and burial will be in the Siam cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 18, 1933 p. 2
CONWAY
Dunn Services Friday
Funeral services for John Dunn, 77, who died Thursday at his home in Pomona, Calif., will be held at the Pruitt Funeral Home in Clarinda at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. He is survived by three sons, Wes Dunn, Roscoe Dunn, and Perry Dunn, all of the Conway community. Mr. Dunn was a resident of the New Market community for many years.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 18, 1933 p. 2
CONWAY
S. D. Weller Dies
S. [amuel] D. [aniel] Weller, father of Mrs. Orval [Arval Wood] Norton [Belle], died Saturday night. The funeral services were held in Gravity Tuesday afternoon, where burial was made.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 18, 1933 p. 5
GRAVITY
Weller Services Held
Funeral services were held here Tuesday for Sam [uel Daniel] Weller, brother of William Weller, deceased. Interment was in the Gravity cemetery.
Taylor County Herald
Thursday May 18, 1933 [p. 1]
Conway Resident Dies At Clarinda
Samuel Daniel Weller, 77, of Conway vicinity, passed away in the Clarinda hospital Saturday, May 13.
Funeral services were held in the Gravity Methodist church at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Garrett of Conway, assisted by Rev. Felt of Gravity. Interment was made in the Gravity cemetery.
Clearfield Enterprise
Thursday May 18, 1933 [p. 1]
S. D. Weller Passes
S. [amuel] D. [aniel] Weller died on Saturday evening at Clarinda Hospital after only eleven days there as a patient. Death was caused by apoplexy. He had been making his home at Conway with his daughter, Mrs. Orville Miller. As his mind was greatly affected, it was hoped that hospital treatment might bring improvement, but it was not to be so. Mr. J. R. Crew was called, and brought the body to Clearfield, keeping it here until Monday.
The funeral was at Conway on Tuesday. In his active years Mr. Weller was a railway engineer. He had reached the age of 77 years and 7 months.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 18, 1933 p. 3
ATHELSTAN
Sweet Services Held
Funeral services for Mrs. William Sweet [Nancy Jane Tackett Swett], a former Athelstan resident, were held at the Baptist church Sunday afternoon.
Taylor County Herald
Thursday May 18, 1933 p. 6
ATHELSTAN
Former Resident Dies
Mrs. Nancy [Jane Tackett] Swett passed away last Friday at the home of a niece in Ringgold County and the body was brought to Athelstan Sunday for burial. The funeral was held at the Baptist church at 2 p. m. and burial was in the Athelstan cemetery. Mrs. Swett formerly lived in this community.
Blockton News
Thursday May 18, 1933 p. 2
Obituary
Nancy [Jane] Tackett, daughter of Lewis and Frances Tackett, was born in Cedar County, Mo., Jan. l, 1861, and passed away at Mount Ayr, Iowa, May 11, 1933, aged 72 years, 4 months and 10 days.
When two years of age she moved with her parents from Cedar County to Taylor County, Ia.
She was united in marriage to William Swett October 12, 1901, at Bedford, Iowa. To this union two children were born, one son died in infancy, and one daughter, Mrs. Goldie Link of Blockton. Her husband preceded her in death July 14, 1931. She leaves to mourn her departure one daughter and one brother, Jerry Tackett, of Maloy, 7 grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
At an early age, she united with the Baptist church at Mt. Zion. Mrs. Swett was a faithful companion, loving mother and an excellent neighbor.
The funeral services were held at the Baptist church in Athelstan Sunday, conducted by Challie E. Graham, assisted by David H. Dye, and the remains laid to rest in the Athelstan cemetery. The music was furnished by R. O. Ford, Gordon Griffith, Pearl Griffith, and Edith Simmons, with Ila King at the piano. The pallbearers were M. F. Older, Clyde Hays, J. E. Raper, Al Kemery, Roy Weaver and Bert Older.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 18, 1933 p. 3
SHERIDAN
Harry Freemyer, 40, Succumbs
Harry [Everett] Freemyer, 40, died unexpectedly at his home in Maryville, Mo., Tuesday evening, following an attack of acute indigestion. The funeral services were held at the Christian church in Sheridan, Mo., Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. L. B. Day. Burial was in the Sheridan cemetery. Mr. Freemyer is a former druggist of Sheridan. He is survived by his wife, two sons, one daughter, father, stepmother, and three sisters. His father is G. [ilbert] H. olman] Freemyer of Sheridan.
Taylor County Herald
Thursday May 18, 1933 p. 6
SHERIDAN
Harry E. Freemyer
Harry E. [verett] Freemyer, son of G. [ilbert] H. [olman] and Claudia [Trussell] Freemyer, was born southeast of Sheridan, April 22, 1893, and died at his home in Maryville, on May 9, 1933. He spent his boyhood in Sheridan, graduating from the Sheridan schools.
In 1916 he was married to Barbara [Theresa] Waldrier of Parnell. To this union were born three children Ronald [Raymond], Harry E. [verett] Jr., and Rose Marie, all at home. He is also survived by his father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. G. [ilbert] H. [olman] Freemyer and three sisters, Mrs. Bernice Murphy of Boise, Idaho, Mrs. Bertha Ellsworth of Clarinda, Iowa, and Mrs. Lucile Aldrich of Sheridan. Services were held Thursday afternoon at the Christian church, with Rev. Day officiating. Interment was in the Sheridan cemetery.
Mr. Freemyer several years ago was in the drug business here and the family resided here several years ago. He had many friends here who sincerely regret his passing and sympathize deeply with the bereaved family.
Taylor County Herald
Thursday May 18, 1933 p. 6
SHERIDAN
Leslie Ellsworth, wife [Bertha Freemyer] and sons of Clarinda attended the funeral here Thursday of Mrs. Ellsworth's brother, Harry [Everett] Freemyer.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 11, 1933 [p. 1]
Taylor County Pioneer Is Dead
W. H. Parker, 86, Succumbs Unexpectedly At Albany, Mo.
W. [illiam] H. [enry] Parker, 86, pioneer resident of Taylor county, died unexpectedly at his home in Albany, Mo., Friday. Funeral services were held in Albany Sunday and burial made in the Albany cemetery.
Mr. Parker is survived by a half-brother, Thomas Parker of Bedford, and two nieces, Mrs. Guy Thompson [Myrtle Ann Parker] and Mrs. Robert VanReenan [Eliza Ann Burnside], of Bedford, his widow [Alice Howell] at Albany, and two sons, one living in Kansas City, Mo. and the other in Florida.
Mr. Parker was born in a log cabin situated on what is now known as the Elmer Jarvis farm southeast of Bedford in the very earliest pioneer days of the county. The Parker home served as a community center during the childhood days of W.[illiam] H. [enry] Parker, where the widely scattered neighbors assembled on occasions for mutual enjoyment and for mutual protection, too, when bands of Indians were making raids.
The town of Bedford had not yet been laid out when Parker was born. His father, Stephen H. Parker, came to Clayton Township in 1845, W. [illiam] H. [enry] Parker being born in 1846. Stephen Parker built the first house in the county, it is said, with a shingled roof. For seven years after he came to Taylor County not a rod of land was surveyed in the whole county. Between St. Joseph and the Parker home there was not a single bridge across a stream—and it was from St. Joseph that much of the material for building was hauled.
Such bits of pioneer history coming within the span of W. H. Parker's life may well be recalled in giving the account of the closing of that life.
W. [illiam] H. [enry] Parker held many positions of trust as a young man with early Bedford business firms, and later was engaged in the mercantile business for himself.
He worked for the mercantile firm of Patrick & Walker, Hess & Webb, Richards & Thompson and Jacob Cole. Later he moved from Bedford, being employed as secretary by Sam Park, who engaged extensively in the lumber business in Louisiana. Mr. Parker made his home in Kansas City for many years during the latter days of his life, moving to Albany in recent years.
Blockton News
Thursday May 18, 1933 [p. 1]
W. [illiam] H. (Henry) Parker aged 86 years, 6 months and 8 days, and possibly the second white child born in Taylor County, died at his home in Albany, Mo., May 5. Mr. Parker was born in Clayton Township, this county, October 27, 1846, his parents being Stephen H. Parker and wife, and his birthplace was known as "Fort Parker." On April 24, 1846, or 6 months and three days before the birth of Henry Parker, a baby by the name of Jasper Dowis was born at the Isaac Dowis home about a mile and half south of what was known as "Fort Parker." Mr. Dowis is now past 87 years young and resides in Blockton.
Taylor County Herald
Thursday May 11, 1933 [p. 1]
Taylor County's First White Child Is Dead
Word was received here last Friday of the death of W. [illiam] H. (Henry) Parker, at his home in Albany, Mo., on that day.
Mr. Parker was well known to the older residents of Bedford, he having made his home here for many years. He was a brother of Tom Parker and an uncle of Mrs. Guy Thompson [Myrtle Ann Parker] of this city.
Henry Parker was the first white child born in Taylor county and the cabin in which he was born is still standing, being located on Honey Creek east of Bedford near the Hartzler place.
Funeral services were held and burial made at Albany Sunday, in charge of the Masonic order of that city. Mr. Parker was almost 87 years old.