Wilbur, Walter Myron 1847-1932

WILBUR, CATTON, OLDFATHER, BERKE

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall, IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 9/16/2015 at 18:46:56

Volga - Walter Myron Wilbur, son of Lockhart and Sarah Wilbur, was born April 16, 1847, in Randolph, Mass., and died at the home of his daughter, Ina J. Oldfather, Saturday morning, Feb. 27, 1932, at the age of 84 years.

He lived at the time of the civil war and knew what privation and want were. He stayed with his widowed mother and two sisters, while his three brothers were in the service of our country. It was always a disappointment to him that he was too young to enlist. He has often related how the bells tolled the sad requiem of President Lincoln.

At the age of 21 years he came to Gladbrook, Iowa, then a wheat field, and he and his oldest brother, George, a lawyer at Gladbrook, later put up the first building for their horses. Now there is a thriving little city at that place.

He lived with his brother until his marriage, which occurred on Sept. 15, 1885, to Jennie E. Catton. To this union were born two children, a son and a daughter. He was also loved by a step son and daughter. They rented a farm for six years and then purchased a farm near Gladbrook and lived there for a period of 20 years, and when their daughter married Frank Oldfather, they came to live in her home. That was 19 years ago last October.

The following March their letter of church membership was placed in the Volga Methodist church, where he has been a loyal member until ill health prevented his attendance as sacred services.

He leaves to mourn his death his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Edith Berke of Thermopolis, Wyo., Mrs. Ina J. Oldfather of Arlington, two sons, Arthur L. Catton of Green Mountain, Iowa, and Frank O. Wilbur of Independence, 15 grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, besides a host of relatives and friends.

The funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church at Volga Monday afternoon. the Rev. Davies of New Hampton gave the sermon, with the Rev. A.B. Chamberlain assisting. Interment was in the Taylorville cemetery near Arlington.

~Clayton County Register, Thursday, March 3, 1932