Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday May 15, 1913 [p. 1]
MISS CARR DIES
Passes Away After Years Of Failing Health.
After a lingering Illness covering a period of several years, Miss Dilla E. [llen] Carr died Tuesday at her home in Bedford. Funeral services were held at the residence at 10 o'clock this morning, conducted by Mart Gary Smith, pastor of the Church of Christ. Interment was in the Conway cemetery, and joining the relatives in the funeral party were Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Beard, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Coppell, Mrs. G. M. Bradley, Mrs. R. M. Powell, Miss Frances Miller, P. A. Blake, J. L. Heasley and D. J. Gant.
Dilla Ellen Carr was born near Leon, Decatur county, Iowa, and most of her life was spent In her native state. Her father, James A. [ustin] Carr, died in December. Surviving are the mother and four sisters, Mrs. L. [aura] B. [elle] Payne of Enterprise, Ore.; Mrs. W. [alter] H. [oward] Lake, Bedford; Mrs. L. [ee] E. [lda] Phillips [Lenora], Bartlesville, Ok.; Mrs. I. [rving] E. [llsworth] Putnam [Icae], Chicago; two brothers, Frank Carr, Akron, Col.; Edward H. Carr, Craig, Col.
[Carr, Dilla Ellen]
Bedford Free Press
Tuesday May 20, 1913 p. 4
Mrs. F. P. Beard, Miss Francis Miller, A. E. Lake, W. R. Coppel, J. L. Heasley, Mrs. G. M. Bradley, P. A. Blake, J. H. Chilcote, Frank Wright, F. P. Beard, D. W. Gant, were among the number who accompanied relatives of Miss Dilla Carr to Conway last Thursday.
[Carr, Dilla Ellen]
Bedford Free Press
Tuesday May 20, 1913 p. 5
Rev. Irving Putnam arrived here Thursday morning to attend the funeral of Miss Dilla Carr, Mrs. Putnam having come two weeks ago. They will remain until Friday for a visit with relatives.
[Carr, Dilla Ellen]
Bedford Free Press
Tuesday May 20, 1913 p. 5
OBITUARY.
Dilla E. Carr.
Last Tuesday Miss Dilla Carr died at her home in Bedford after an illness extending over a period of nearly five years. Funeral services were held at the home at 10 o'clock Thursday morning conducted by Elder Mart Gary Smith, pastor of the Christian church. Interment was in the Conway cemetery.
Dilla Ellen Carr was born near Leon, Decatur county, and removed when young with her parents to a farm near Conway, where they lived for several years, later living in Conway. She attended school in Conway until qualified to teach in the rural schools, when she taught several terms, followed by two years' work in the intermediate department of the Conway schools. She then attended Western Normal College at Shenandoah, graduating with honor from that institution. After graduation she was for a time superintendent of the Conway school. Later she was elected as a grade teacher in the Clearfield school and next year was tendered a position in the high school, which she accepted and filled with exceptional ability, retiring on account of failing health. After leaving the Clearfield schools she went to Washington and taught for a time in that state, resigning to accept a better position at office work which she held as long as her health would permit. Miss Carr represented the highest type of American womanhood. Cultured, refined and endowed with untiring energy, she would have achieved distinction in the field of endeavor had she not been prevented by ill health. Besides a large number of friends she leaves to mourn her loss her mother and four sisters, Mrs. L. [aura] B. [elle] Payne, of Enterprise, Ore., Mrs. W. [alter] H.[oward] Lake [Eva] of Bedford, Mrs. L. [ee] E. [lda] Phillips [Lenora] of Bartlesville, Ok., Mrs. I. [rving] E.[llsworth] Putnam [Icae] of Chicago, and two brothers, Frank of Akron, Col., and E. [dward] H. of Craig, Col.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday March 8, 1934 [p. 1]
Former County Resident Is Dead
Ed [ward H.] Carr, 62, died in Alamosa, Colo., Friday, March 2, following an operation for a ruptured appendix, which was performed several days before. Burial was made in Denver.
Carr is a former resident of Bedford, Conway, and Gravity, moving west years ago. He was a brother of Mrs. Eva Lake Bedford. His wife, who will be remembered here as Miss Elva Houston, and three daughters survive, besides other relatives.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday June 8, 1961 p. 7
Mrs. Elva H. Carr Dies In Colo.
Word has been received in Bedford of the recent death of Mrs. Elva H. [ouston] Carr, 88, at Alamosa, Colo. Mrs. Carr was a sister-in-law of the late Mrs. Walter Lake [Eva Carr] of Bedford.
Mrs. Carr, who lived in Colorado 53 years, died in a nursing home after a year's Illness. She was born in Taylor county and attended schools at Gravity. She married Edward H. Carr at Bedford on Oct. 3, 1900. He died in 1934.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Mary Woods of Denver, Mrs. Bernice Stopps of Alamosa and Mrs. Helen Schoonmaker of Central Valley, Calif., a brother, Roy E. Huston of Lexington, Ky.; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday December 19, 1912 [p. 1]
James A. Carr
Funeral services over the remains of James A. [ustin] Carr were held at 10:30 o'clock Friday morning at the church of Christ, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mart Gary Smith, assisted by Rev. W. H. Thompson, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church. The remains were taken to Conway for interment.
James Austin Carr was born October 27, 1835, near Indianapolis, Ind. When he was a boy the family came to Iowa locating near Bloomfield. He was married at Leon, February 4, 1864, to Martha E. [llen Rogers] Silvers. They resided on a farm in Decatur County until 1875, when they came to Taylor County, locating near Conway.
In 1887 Mr. Carr moved to Conway and engaged in the hardware business and was postmaster under the first administration of Cleveland. In 1900 the family came to Bedford. The sons and daughters surviving are Mrs. L. [aura] B. [elle] Payne of Enterprise, Ore.; Dilla E. [llen] and Mrs W. [alter] H. [oward] Lake [Eva] of Bedford; Frank of Akron, Col.; Edward H. of Craig, Col.; Mrs. L. [ee] E. [lda] Phillips [Lenora] of Bartlesville, Ok.; Mrs. I.[rving] E. [llsworth] Putnam [Icae] of Chicago. The two sons, [William] Austin and Lee, preceded their father in death.
[Carr, James Austin]
Bedford Free Press
Thursday December 26, 1912 [p. 1]
Obituary.
James Austin Carr was born October 27, 1835, near Indianapolis, Ind., and passed away at his home in Bedford, Iowa, Dec. 10, 1912, at 10 o'clock a. m., after a gradual decline in health extending over several months.
When a small boy his parents moved to eastern Iowa and settled near Bloomfield. Here his boyhood days and young manhood were spent. On February 4, 1864, he was married to Martha Ellen [Rogers] Silvers at Leon, Iowa, and settled upon a farm near that County seat. Here they resided until 1875, when they moved to a farm one and a half miles east of Conway. In 1887 Mr. Carr moved to Conway and engaged in the hardware business. He was also postmaster at that place during President Cleveland's first administration. Here his children grew to manhood and womanhood and in 1900, Bedford was chosen as the final location for the family home. Mr. Carr's father was a minister of the Christian church and in the early days his son frequently accompanied him in his preaching engagements. Thus early in life was laid the foundation of strong character and a religious nature. He united with the denomination of his father in young manhood and upon coming to Conway, he and his consecrated wife became charter members of the Christian church there, transferring their membership to Bedford when this became their home. Brother "Carr," as many called him in his church circles, was an official of the church, the greater portion of his life, being an Elder during most of his residence in Conway. His conscientious nature, his fine intelligence, his almost passionate desire for the truth, combined with an unusual knowledge of the Scriptures, made him an efficient workman in the Masters vineyard. With more complete educational advantages he might have been a leader in this realm or in the field of politics, in which he always took keen interest. He carried the same character into his business life and leaves a record unstained by commercial intrigue or mere selfish, mercenary motives.
Mr. Carr was a member of the Masonic Order and in this and other social and benevolent lines he was a genuine brother, a faithful comrade, a steadfast friend.
His fidelity and devotion to the companion of almost half a century, his love for his children and grandchildren and almost super-human indulgence of their desires are facts which immortalize his memory in their hearts. Two sons preceded him, Austin, who passed away in young manhood during the residence at Conway, and Lee, whose death occurred three years ago. The remaining children are: Mrs. L. [aura] B. [elle] Payne, of Enterprise, Oregon; Dilla E. [llen] and Mrs. W. [alter] H. [oward] Lake [Eva], of Bedford; Frank, of Akron, Colorado; Edward H., of Craig, Colorado; Mrs. L. [ee] E. [lda] Phillips [Lenora] of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and Mrs. I. [rving] E. [llsworth] Putnam [Icae], of Chicago. Two older brothers also survive him, Jonathan and Thomas. All were present at the funeral services except Mrs. Payne and his brother Thomas.
The funeral services were held on Friday at 10:30 a. m., at the First Christian church in Bedford, conducted by his pastor, the Rev. Mart Gary Smith, assisted by Rev. Wm. B. Thompson of the Methodist church, a very personal friend of the deceased. The comforting message of hope was based upon Romans 8:1 and Revelation 14:13. Several musical numbers, all favorites of the deceased, were sung by a quartet, and abundant floral offerings bore mute testimony of the admiration of friends and of organizations to which he was related. The body was conveyed to Conway on the noon train and interred in the beautiful burial ground northeast of town.
[Carr, James Austin]
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday December 12, 1912 p. 13
Rev. and Mrs. I. [rving] E. [llsworth] Putnam and Miss Dilla [Ellen] Carr came Wednesday from Chicago to attend the funeral of J. [ames] A. [ustin] Carr.
[Carr, James Austin]
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday December 12, 1912 p. 11
Frank Carr came Tuesday from Akron, Con., called by the death of his father, James Austin Carr].
[Carr, James Austin]
Bedford Free Press
Thursday December 12, 1912 [p. 1]
J. A. Carr Dead
The funeral services of the late J. [ames] A. [ustin] Carr, who passed away at his home on Tuesday at ten o'clock a. m., will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m., at the First Christian church of Bedford, conducted by the Rev. Mart Gary Smith, assisted by the Rev. Wm. B. Thompson. Those wishing to view the remains may do so at the family residence at any hour on Thursday. Interment will take place in the Conway cemetery. A fitting obituary notice will be given in next week's issue.
[Carr, James Austin]
Bedford Free Press
Thursday December 12, 1912 p. 4
Frank Carr arrived from Nebraska Tuesday afternoon in response to a message announcing the death of his father, J. [ames] A. [ustin] Carr. Rev. and Mrs. Irving Putnam [Icae Carr] and Miss Dilla Carr arrived from Chicago yesterday, and Edward, who lives in Akron, Colo., is expected Friday morning.
[Carr, Martha Ellen Rogers Silvers]
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday March 19, 1931 p. 4
Mrs. J. A. Carr
Mrs. J. [ames] A. [ustin] Carr, who had been in ill health for several years, passed away at the W. [alter] H. [oward] Lake home early Tuesday morning. The funeral services were held at the home this afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Irving E. [llsworth] Putnam of Chicago. Interment was made in the Conway cemetery. Obituary will be given next week.
[Carr, Martha Ellen Rogers Silvers]
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday April 2, 1931 [p. 1]
TAYLOR COUNTY PIONEER PASSED AWAY MARCH 16
MRS. JAMES A. CARR WAS IN ILL HEALTH FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
SHE WAS 91 YRS. OLD
Was a Member of the Christian Church For a Period of Seventy-five Years
"Grow old along with me
The best is yet to be—
The last for which the first
was made."
Thus, does the poet-philosopher invite the hastening years of age. In such a friendly and uncomplaining spirit did Martha Ellen Carr approach the sunset days of her unique career. Mrs. Carr was born In Danville, Ill., Dec 19, 1839. Her parents were Hezekiah and Catherine Rogers. She came from that sturdy Pennsylvania Quaker stock whose contribution to character building and wholesome community atmosphere played so important a part in the early history of America. The parents emphasized the importance of religion in the home. Her father was a "local preacher" and her mother a spiritually minded woman.
Some years of her early life were spent in Indiana, following which the family moved to Iowa and became pioneer settlers near Garden Grove. Here Martha Ellen Rogers was married to Stephen Silvers. When the Civil War came he went as a volunteer, later giving his life for his country. The privations of those years left a sure mark in the memory of the brave young wife but, as in every succeeding experience of her life, the heroine within conquered every outward circumstance, and she kept together her little family, building into their growing lives those fundamental virtues, which were the richest endowment that posterity could inherit.
Following her marriage to James A. [ustin] Carr they came to Taylor County, locating on a farm east of Conway in 1873. The year 1888 brought them to that village where Mr. Carr engaged in mercantile business and later served as postmaster. In 1900 they came to the County Seat and purchased a beautiful location on west Main Street, some years later removing to the present address on Pennsylvania Avenue, which is now the residence of Mr and Mrs. Walter H.[oward] Lake.
Mr. Carr passed away in 1912. Mrs. Carr's lengthened years of widowhood were passed in beautiful companionship with children and grandchildren, her special domestic trysting place always remaining the homestead where the latter years of her wedded life were spent. Just as midnight was turning into morn on Monday, March 16, her gentle, patient, thoughtful, expectant spirit began the mystic voyage which brought her with glad welcome to that Land where nonagenarians are young because "they count not Time by years—in the City Four-square." Her parting messages, which were consciously spoken to the loved ones at her bedside up to the last half hour before her going, gave joyous assurances of perfect peace, unfailing trust, and an unreserved readiness to enter into the realities of the Life more Abundant.
Mrs. Carr was the mother of eleven children, two of whom died in infancy. Others who preceded her were: W. B. Silvers, Laura Belle Silvers Payne, Dilla Ellen Carr and W. [illiam] Austin Carr. Those remaining are: Frank and Edward Carr of Denver, Mrs. Walter H. [oward] Lake [Eva] of Bedford, Mrs. L. [ee] Eldora [Elda] Phillips [Lenora] of Bartlesville; Okla., and Mrs. Irving E.[llsworth] Putnam [Icae] of River Forest, Illinois.
The funeral services were held from the residence on Thursday, March 19, at 2:00 o'clock in charge of the Rev. J. C. Harris, pastor of the First Christian Church of which Mrs. Carr had been a member since coming to Bedford and in which communion her entire church life had been spent, covering a period of seventy-five years. By request of the family the funeral address was given by the Rev. Irving E. [llsworth] Putnam, minister of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of River Forest, Illinois. A quartet from the local Methodist church, consisting of Mrs. Harold Fitch, Mrs. Ren H. Fuller, Mr. L. C. Severs and the Rev. M. R. Talley sang two favorite hymns, "It Is Well With My Soul" and "Saved By Grace". Interment was in the family burial-plot in Conway cemetery, where the three clergymen participated.
Mr. Putnam spoke of the uniqueness of the span of her years, characterizing it as the most progressive and, therefore, the most interesting period in human history. He said: "Mother Carr has witnessed the development in transportation from the stage coach to the automobile and the zeppelin; in communication from the messenger on horseback to the telephone and the radio; in illumination from the tallow dip to the arc-light and the tower beacon; in raiment from the home-spun garment to machine-made rayon; in civilization from legalized drunkenness to the outlawed saloon (in which moral transformation she had a noble part) and from an age which thought war was a human necessity to a day when it is decreed a disgrace and disarmament is a vital topic of the hour.
He emphasized also the simple but dynamic faith of Mrs. Carr, her unfailing ability to apply that faith and its resultant conviction to every phase of changing life, her serenity amid sorrow or trial, her love for flowers which she tended with discriminating care until the last half decade of her days, her joy in good literature, and her interest in human kind the world round.
"She lived to hold communion
with all that is divine,
Grow wiser thru conviction and
fulfill God's grand design;
For the cause that lacked assistance,
for the wrongs that
need resistance,
For the future in the distance,
and the good that she could
do."
[Carr, Martha Ellen Rogers Silvers]
Bedford Times-Republican
Thursday April 2, 1931 p. 5
Those in attendance at the Mrs. J. [ames] A. [ustin] Carr funeral from out of the city were: Frank Carr of Denver, Colo.; Mr. and Mrs. I. [rving] E. [llsworth] Putnam, River Forest, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. L. [ee] E. [lda] Phillips [Lenora], Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Starr and Mrs. Frank Phillips, Bartlesville, Okla.; Phil R. Phillips, Springfield, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Liggett, Omaha, Nebr.; Claude Fisher, Des Moines, Ia.; and Mrs. L. J. Phillips and Mrs. Cora Lovelace, Gravity, Iowa.
Taylor County Democrat
Thursday May 2, 1895 p. 3
In Memory of W. Austin Carr.
The angel of Death, who, sooner or later, summons all to judgment, threw a deep shadow of sorrow over the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. [ames] A. [ustin] Carr, at Conway, who mourn as only stricken parents can, the calling away of their beloved son, Austin.
William Austin Carr was born in Decatur county, Iowa, on January 19, 1869, and came with his parents to Taylor county some years later. About five years ago he went to Nebraska, where, for a time, he taught school, but at the time of his last illness he was engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business. About a week prior to his death his parents brought him from Lincoln, Nebraska, to their home in Conway, and on Friday, April 26, 1895, at 9:45 he departed this life for the Celestial Lodge above. The funeral was held at the residence of the deceased's parents, on Sunday, April 28, at 1:30 p. m. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Richardson of Bedford, after which the remains were taken charge of and the services conducted by Conway Lodge No. 553, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, assisted by members from other lodges in the county. The deceased was a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity and solemnly the members of that order bore his frail tenement of clay to its last resting place, and as they lowered into the grave all that was mortal of their brother, they forgot his faults, if any he had, and remembered only the many virtues of him whose spirit had taken its flight in the springtime of life. ÒThe Spoiler is in the world and all that is born must die." Peace be to our brother's ashes, and fragrant be the flowers that bloom above his grave.
W. [illiam] Austin Carr was aged 27 years, 3 months and 7 days and leaves a father, mother, five sisters and three brothers to mourn his loss. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Conway. The procession when formed was more than one-half mile in length. The procession was led by 110 Odd Fellows present, representing every lodge in the county, except Guss. The entire crowd was estimated at 700.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday September 10, 1959 p. 4
Mrs. Eva Carr Lake Rites Here Thursday
Her multitude of friends in Bedford and in southwestern Iowa were surprised and grieved by the news of the death on Sunday evening, Sept. 6, of Mrs. Eva Carr Lake at Municipal hospital in Clarinda. She had been in failing health for some months but no one was prepared for the sudden stroke which took her from them.
Mrs. Lake was born near Leon, Iowa, where her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James A.[ustin] Carr [Martha Ellen Rogers Silvers], were pioneer farmers. She attended the rural schools, later completing the courses of study at the Conway Public School, with attendance at various county summer sessions and a period of special study at Drake University.
Her father, after moving to Conway, became the village postmaster with Eva as the ÒteenageÓ assistant. At as early an age as the state law permitted, she began a teaching career which was climaxed by four years of service in the third grade of the Bedford schools.
On August 20, 1906, she was united in holy wedlock to Walter H. [oward] Lake, a former Conway school friend. One son, Howard A. [ustin] Lake, was born to them, now S. F. C., located at 14th Field Hospital in Germany. Her husband served 2 terms as Deputy County Treasurer, later becoming County Auditor for 2 terms. Mrs. Lake was his popular and efficient assistant. Mr. Lake passed away in 1932. Mrs. Lake has lived in Bedford since 1900, residing at 903 Pennsylvania St. since 1913.
Her interests were many and varied, covering memberships in the Order of Eastern Star, the Rebekahs, the Business WomenÕs group, 19th Century Study Club. She was an active member of the Methodist church where responsible positions in the Sunday school, the WomenÕs Society and Official Board were held. Everywhere she served, faithfulness, efficiency, promptness and progress were her watchwords. The charm of her personality, the drive of her will, the spontaneity of her humor, the crystalline quality of her character, left a marked impression in every human relationship. Many young persons who were residents in her home for a time as well as numerous older ones, join with her family in gratitude and appreciation for a useful well-spent life.
The service in her memory was held on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2:00 oÕclock at the Shum-Novinger Funeral Home on Madison Street, with Pastor Anthony Blankers officiating. Mrs. Robert Stacy played a medley of favorite hymns.
Out-of-town attendants, besides her son, were Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Starr (niece and nephew) of Kansas City; Dr. and Mrs. Irving E. [llsworth] Putnam of Minneapolis, Minn. Mrs. L. [ee] E. [lda] Phillips [Lenora Carr] of Bartlesville, Okla., who was too ill at her home to attend the service, and Mrs. Putnam [Icae Carr] are the two remaining members of the immediate family circle.
In beautiful Conway cemetery beside her Òbeloved Walter,Ó will be her last earthly resting place.
The family prefer Memorials to [the] Bedford Methodist Church.
Tribute by Rev. Irving E. Putnam.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday March 10, 1966 [p. 1]
Howard A. Lake Taken In Death at 53
Captain Howard Austin Lake, 53, passed away at the Veterans' Hospital, Fayetteville, Ark., January 27 after a two-year illness. Son of Walter H. [oward] and Eva Carr Lake, he was born in Bedford November 27, 1912.
A 1930 Bedford High School graduate, he continued his education with a four-year course in Simpson College, where he maintained high scholastic standing and was president of his fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega.
As a young man in Bedford, he became an avid golfer, having at 17 been the first to shoot the Bedford course with a 34. As a participant in many golf tournaments, he won a collection of medals and trophies. Twice he won the Iowa State championship for left-handed golfers. He also placed high in the National Left-Handers tournament at Olympia Field Club in Chicago. Twice in the early thirties he won the Chariton Open, defeating Bob McCrary of Des Moines, the Trans-Mississippi champion in one match and in another he defeated the Des Moines city champion. Lake also won the Men's City Championship in Bedford several times as well as numerous open tournaments in Southwest Iowa.
On February 5, 1941, Lake married Miss Verla Roos, a member of the Womans Army Corps, from Idaho and for much of his 20 years of active army service, they were located overseas in Africa, Italy, Germany, and Austria. His last assignment was as Advisor to the 142nd Transportation Battalion of Missouri National Guard stationed in Springfield. Following his discharge from the army in 1963, he went into private business in Springfield.
Survivors of Captain Lake are his wife, Jane, and children, Dale and Janice of Springfield, and Larry Applegate, Tulsa, Okla.; two aunts, Mrs. L. [ee] E.[lda] Phillips [Lenora Carr], Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Irving Putnam [Icae Carr], Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a number of cousins.
Captain Lake was honored by a military funeral at the Springfield National Cemetery.
He made friends readily because of a companionable spirit, personal loyalty and willingness to do a good turn whenever possible. As a lad he united with the Methodist Church in Bedford where his paternal grandparents and his parents were active members.
Taylor County Herald
Thursday August 11, 1932 [p. 1]
Heart Attack Fatal To Walter H. Lake Last Thursday Eve.
Stricken While Engaged In Sam Park Trophy Match At The Bedford Country Club
Walter H. [oward] Lake, 54, local postmaster, died suddenly from a heart attack while playing golf at the Country Club last Thursday evening. Mr. Lake had been postmaster in Bedford for the past ten years, having entered that office March 1,1922.
Harlan Pote and Lake were playing a match in the Sam Park handicap tournament. Mr. Lake had just teed up his ball to drive for the fifth hole. He glanced down the fairway and then staggered backwards, falling unconscious.
Dr. G. W. Gillies was playing the preceding hole and rushed to assist Lake upon hearing a call for help from Pote. Mr. Lake never regained consciousness. Howard, an only son, was caddying for his father at the time.
Mr. Lake has been a prominent figure in and around Bedford for many years. He was at one time county auditor. During his public service as postmaster he also served as secretary and treasurer of the Iowa Postmasters' Association.
For a number of years Mr. Lake had been troubled with a weak heart. Always a lover of clean sport, he could not resist the temptation to engage in an occasional round of golf, which seemed to be his favorite recreation. He was entered in the Park Tournament here, having played three matches and had defeated the field favorite, Allan Thompson, one up.
Mr. Lake is survived by his wife and son, Howard.
Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 3:00, Rev. Talley preaching the sermon. Interment was made in the Conway cemetery. A Masonic ceremony was held at the grave.
Following is the obituary as read by the minister:
Walter Howard Lake was born March 5, 1878, on a farm one and one-half miles west of Conway, Iowa, being the elder son of Albert E. Lake and Sarah L. Lake. When 4 years of age, he removed with his parents to Conway where he spent the years of his boyhood and early manhood. Educated in the public schools, he continued preparation for his life work by completing a commercial course in Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa.
In 1899 Walter came to Bedford to make his home, assisting his father by serving as deputy county treasurer for 4 years. During the succeeding three years he held the position of assistant cashier in the Citizens Bank of Bedford.
This was followed by his election to the office of county auditor of Taylor County, holding this position for four years.
With a number of years engaged in mercantile pursuits, and since 1922 as postmaster of Bedford, Walter has filled the latter years of his life here.
On August 20, 1906, he was married to Miss Eva Carr, of Bedford. To them was born one son, Howard Austin Lake.
Walter's entire life has been spent in Taylor County. The history of the county, of Conway, and of Bedford cannot be completely written without at least a paragraph to Walter H. [oward] Lake, who has been a faithful servant, not only as a public official, but in all worthy causes of the community.
[Lake, Walter Howard]
New Market Herald
Thursday August 4, 1932 [p. 1]
Heart Attack Fatal To Walter H. Lake
Stricken While Engaged In Match At Country Club This Thursday Evening
BEDFORD, IA., Aug. 4-Special:
A sudden heart attack caused the death of Walter [Howard] Lake, 56, while he was playing golf at the Bedford Country Club at 7:30 Thursday evening. Lake had been postmaster of the Bedford post office for the past ten years, having entered that office March 1,1922.
He was playing off a match in the Sam Park Handicap tournament and had just teed up his ball to drive from the fourth tee. He raised up to glance down the fairway, but this intent was never fulfilled. He staggered backwards and fell unconscious.
Dr. G. W. Gillies was playing the preceding hole and rushed to assist Lake upon hearing a call for help from Harlan Pote, Lake's opponent. Lake was still unconscious when Gillies arrived. He died soon after the doctor arrived, without regaining consciousness or without speaking a word. Lake was accompanied by Harlan Pote and his son, Howard Lake.
Before receiving his appointment as postmaster, Lake owned and operated the Lake Implement Co. in Bedford. He was one of the most prominent businessmen in Bedford. During his public service as postmaster he served as secretary-treasurer of the Iowa Postmasters' Association.
Mr. Lake had been bothered by a weak heart for several years. Last winter disease weakened him considerably but he apparently was regaining strength. However, doctors had advised him against strenuous exercise. In fact he was warned against playing golf except at the risk of another heart attack.
In the past week he seemed to have been in good health, and had played three matches in the golf tournament, and had upset the "dope" bucket when he defeated the field favorite, Alan Thompson, one up.
He was playing his semi-final match with Harlan Pote when the tragedy occurred. Lake is survived by his wife and his son.
[Lake, Walter Howard]
Taylor County Herald
Thursday August 11, 1932 p. 3
A TRIBUTE.
The world loves a man who is a square shooter, a good looser and worker, regardless of his position in life. A man who puts his best efforts in every project that he undertakes commands the admiration of all with whom he comes in contact.
Such a man was Walter H. [oward] Lake. Whether in business, in the church, clean sports, or in the employment of others, Mr. Lake gave his best, and his best was usually sufficient. He was a leader of men and a keen judge. He would work as hard for his neighbor's advancement as for his own personal gain. Whatever he undertook, he finished. When he died from a heart attack last week he was even up with his opponent in a golf match. This happening best summarizes Mr. Lake's progress down through life. With his death passes a man who was admired and respected by all who encountered him.