A Neglected Family - Coates / Cohtes family, 1926

COATES, COHTES, UTLEY, BLANCHARD

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 5/18/2021 at 21:26:34

A Neglected Family.
North of Strawberry Point about three miles lives a family that is in truly destitute circumstances. The family consists of a husband, wife and four children, and is known at the Coates family. They are citizens of Delaware county.

Last Saturday a member of the local Red Cross Chapter, and a nurse visited their home, and their report is a pitiable one. The house is a roughly built one with a dirt floor. The bedding is made of straw, gunny sacks and rags. The mother, who can't hear well, was outside chopping wood to keep the house warm. The father was in town loafing about. One child died about two months ago, and it is reported that its death was due to lack of proper care.

Three children attend school and their food consists mostly of bread and hominy. The Red Cross is going to see that they get one good meal at the noon hour.

This family has been there for the past several years, and from reports, has been helped by the Red Cross and sympathizing citizens.

The attention of the judge of the courts should be called to this family. The father should work every day of the week to support his family or the children put where they can grow up to be useful citizens. - Strawberry Point Press.
Elkader Register, Thur., 18 Feb. 1926.

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Sheriff Utley of Manchester was here Saturday after Mrs. Coates and children, whom he placed in the Delaware county poor farm at Delhi,
Elkader Register, Thur., 18 Feb. 1926. Strawberry Point column.

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Family Given Shelter.
Sheriff Utley of Delaware county came up to Strawberry Point last Saturday and took Mrs. Coates and the family of four children to Manchester where they will be given shelter, clothing and food at the county expense. The family has been living in a destitute condition north of town. After the Red Cross official, Will Blanchard and the nurse, visited the hovel, action started at once. The supervisors came Delaware county, and when they gave their report, a judge ordered the removal of the family. The husband, who could have found work but failed to do so, was left behind. The Red Cross local chapter, and especially its chairman, Wm. Blanchard, is entitled to praise for the settlement of this vexing poverty. The supervisors of Delaware county are also to be congratulated for their efficient way of handling the Coates family of a suffering mother and four children. - Strawberry Point Press
Elkader Register, Thur., 25 Feb. 1926.

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Note: In an attempt to identify members of this family the 1920 Federal Census of Delaware county, Iowa, was looked at and the only family that appears to match the one reported in the articles is as follows:

Charles W. Cohtes, Head, 45, born Iowa.
Roda E. Cohtes, Wife, 38, born Iowa.
Frona Cohtes, Dau., 13, born No. Dak.
Ruby Cohtes, Dau., 10, born No. Dak.
Russell Cohtes, Son, 10, born No. Dak.
Iver Cohtes, Son, 9, born No. Dak.
Loyd L. Cohtes, Son, 4 5/12, born Minn.

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Contributor's note: These articles have been posted in the hope of benefiting researchers of the family. I am not related & have no further information.