ANTHONY POLK COONTZ

COONTZ, NEWLIN, BARR, BARRY

Posted By: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert (email)
Date: 7/20/2002 at 17:28:56

Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa
Thursday, October 22, l925

ANTHONY POLK COONTZ was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, on November l7, l846. Died at his home in Woodland Township, Decatur County, Iowa, October l3, l925, being 78 years, l0 months and 25 days of age. He came to Decatur County when a young man and resided on the home place for more than fifty-three years. On February 20, l873, he was united in marriage to CYNTHIA NEWLIN, who with the twelve children, still survive. The children are: CHARLES, of Burlington, Iowa; JESSE, of Garden Grove, Iowa; HENRY, of Leon, Iowa; JACOB, of Burlington, Iowa; EDGAR, of Baraboo, Wisconsin; MRS. SARAH BARR, of Woodland Township, Decatur County, Iowa; FLOYD, Waterloo, Iowa; BLISS, of Estherville, Iowa; IVAN, of Cherokee, Oklahoma; PEARL, of Greybull, Wyoming;
ARCHIE at home, and MRS. OLIVE BARRY, of Eden Township, Decatur County, Iowa. There are also twenty-four grandchildren living and one great grandchild.

He was the youngest, also the last remaining of a family of six children. His father died on ANTHONY's eighth birthday, leaving his training to his mother, whom he helped to support till her death, when he was still in his teens. This habit of industry thus formed, he maintained throughout his life. He was blessed with unusually good health until the last few years of his life. He was devoted to his wife, they being seldom separated for more than a day, for more than fifty-two years, as they shared the responsibility of building the home and rearing the family. He also loved his children most dearly and entered into their games and studies and work and urging them to deal fairly and live uprightly. He was happy when surrounded by his family and friends and left them the example of a temperate and useful life.

Funeral services on Thursday, Oct. l5th, at one o'clock, from the home, Rev. Claud Studebaker, officiating. Many friends were present with the relatives to pay the last tribute of love and respect to this sturdy pioneer father. A very unusual thing was the presence of the twelve children, ten of whom are men, no longer boys, but men all filling responsible places in life. That large group of capable and faithful children constituted the greatest laurel that could possibly be placed on the brow of any father. The sons were the body bearers. Splendid music was furnished by the male quartet from Lineville. Burial in the Lineville Cemetery. A large procession followed the body to its final resting place and all that loving hands and hearts could do, was bestowed in love and respect of this honored father.

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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
List Administrator; Decatur County, Iowa GenWeb
"With permission from the Leon Journal Reporter"
July l9, 2002