Levi Gates 1864-1926

GATES, HERROLD, WILSON, BORTS, ALSPAUGH

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 8/3/2018 at 09:41:22

28 October 1926 - West Branch Times

The death of Levi Gates occurred Tuesday night.

Mr. Gates was a pioneer of the Downey neighborhood and has been in failing health for some time. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Frank Herold and Mrs. Herbert Wilson, and one son, Ivan Gates.

4 November 1926 - West Branch Times

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Levi Gates, the second son of George and Sarah Gates, was born May the 22nd, 1864, on a farm near Rossburg, Darke County, Ohio, and died at his home near Downey, Iowa, October 27th, 1926, aged 62 years, 5 months and 5 days, after an illness of five years caused by heart trouble and dropsy, during which time he was cared for by his kind and loving wife who did everything in her power to help him regain health but whose efforts were all in vain.

In 1875, when eleven years of age he came with his parents to Iowa, and spent his entire life in this community as a farmer.

On April 25, 1888, he was united in marriage to Minerva Borts. To this union four children were born: Ersic, now Mrs. Frank Herrold; one son dying in infancy; Fern, now Mrs. Herbert Wilson; Ivan, at home; all of them living in this community.

Mr. Gates is survived by his widow, the three children, two grandchildren, Gaylord and Waneta Wilson, whom were all at his bedside at the time of his death. He is also survived by two brothers, H. K. Gates of Downey and D. J. Gates of Washington, Iowa, his only surviving uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. John Alspaugh of Naperville, Ill., and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Gates has been a patient sufferer and bore his affliction with christian fortitude.

A loving husband, a kind father, a respected neighbor and friend will be sorely missed.

He was a member of the Woodman of the World for many years and although he never united with the Downey Methodist church, he was interested and helped in its support.

The funeral was conducted by an old friend, Rev. J. S. Wood, of Waukee, Iowa, from the home Friday afternoon.

Burial was made at the Downey cemetery, pall bearers being W. L. Gates, C. R. Gates, John Coxon, Earl Wiggins, Dan McGee and N. D. Oyler.

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Funeral services were held at the home Friday for Levi Gates whose death occurred Wednesday morning, Oct. 27th, after a lingering illness. Besides the grief stricken widow, Mr. Gates leaves a devoted family to mourn his passing. His children are Mrs. Frank Herrold and Mrs. Herbert Wilson and Ivan Gates at home. All reside in this community. Two grandchildren, Galord and Wanita Wilson, and two brothers, Dan Gates of Washington, Iowa, and Hi Gates of Downey. They sympathy of the community is extended to them in their hour of sorrow.