McKinnis, John 1840-1914

MCKINNIS, SOUSELY, SOUSLEY, WHIPPLE, SCOVEL, HALWAKER, YOUNG

Posted By: S. Ferrall, IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 8/18/2015 at 00:20:40

Note: The following obits were on the same page of the newspaper. Both have been transcribed because each contains unique information.

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John McKinnis, whose death occurred last Friday morning on Buck Creek while hunting, was an old resident and widely known hereabouts. He was born in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1840, and while yet a young man came to Strawberry Point.

He was married on Jan. 12th, 1864, to Catherine Sousely, who, with the twin daughters born to them, survive him. These daughters are now married, one being Mrs. Dar Whipple, the other Mrs. Walt Scovel, both being present at the funeral, which was held from the family home to the cemetery at Mederville, under the auspices of the Masonic order, to which Mr. McKinnis belonged.

In life Mr. McKinnis was passionately fond of hunting and fishing ans was working at his favorite sport when death cut him short. He had been subject to spells with his heart and while his death was in a way looked for, it never-the-less was a shock to the entire community because of its suddenness and because of his seeming good health.

In the year 1864 he immigrated to California with a caravan of about sixty teams, it taking about six months to cross the country, but later returned to Iowa, which state has been his home.

He was also a distant relative of Robt. Fulton, his grandmother being a niece of the inventor of the steam boat.

Mr. McKinnis held several public offices, being quite prominent in politics and always a staunch democrat. He was a man of more than ordinary intellect, being a great reader, well posted on all current events.

He will be missed by not only those nearest him but a large circle of friends will miss his timely advice and council. The community extend with the writer their sympathy to those bereaved.

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Dar Whipple and wife were called home the last of the week from Kansas City, on account of the death of Mr. McKinnis, who died suddenly last Friday morning.

~The Register & Argus, Elkader
Thursday evening, Oct 29, 1914
Littleport column

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Mr. John McKinnis was born in Jackson County, Ohio, Febuary 5th, 1840, and died Oct. 23rd, 1914, aged 74 years, eight months and eighteen days.

When about five years of age he moved with his parents to Wells county, Ind., and in 1854, with his parents came to Strawberry Point, Iowa.

On Jan. 12th, 1864, he was married to Catherine M. Sousley, at Elkader, Iowa. To this happy union were born two children, twin girls, Jessie and Jennie.

On April 11th, 1864, Mr. McKinnis, with his wife and father's family, and a number of others from Strawberry Point, started overland to California, and they were four months and eleven days on the road. But after three years, in 1867, he and his wife returned by water from San Francisco to New York, and in 1869 they both returned to California by railroad and remained until 1870, when they returned to Clayton county, where they have lived ever since.

In 1893 Mr. McKinnis was baptized and united with the Christian church at Pleasant Ridge, and, being made an elder in the church, he retained his eldership in the church militant until called by his Saviour to the church triumphant. He was a man of Christian integrity and uprightness of life, highly respected by all who knew him.

For many years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity at Strawberry Point. He was a devoted hisband, a kind and indulgent father, a true friend, a good neighbor and a splendid citizen. But his sun has set in the west. His day's work is done. He has been called by our Heavenly Father from the field of labor to the reward of faithful service.

He leaves to mourn their loss, an aged and sorrow-stricken wife; two daughters, Mrs. Jennie Whipple and Mrs. Walter Scovel; two brothers, Robert McKinnis, of Oregon and Frank, of Oklahoma; two sisters, Sadie Halwaker and Genevieve Young, of California; also five grandchildren.

The funeral services were held at the home of the deceased, conducted by Rev. Walter Piper of Volga. The Masonic lodge of Strawberry Point attended in a body and took charge of the services at the grave. The interment was in the beautiful cemetery of Mederville.

~The Register & Argus, Elkader
Thursday evening, Oct 29, 1914
Volga City column