CREES, Joseph

CREES, COPPERSMITH

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/6/2014 at 10:36:21

Decatur Journal
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, May 06, 1897

OBITUARY - JOSEPH CREES

JOSEPH CREES died at his home in Grand River Township on Sunday morning, May 2, 1897, aged 82 years, 6 months and 27 days.

The deceased was born in Allegheny County, Penn., Oct. 5, 1814. His early life was passed on the home farm, where he worked in a saw mill, and received a limited education in the subscription schools of those early days He was united in marriage in February, 1834 to MISS CATHERINE ANN COPPERSMITH, of Westmoreland County, Penn., and to their union were born eleven children -- MICHAEL, REBECCA, JOHN FREDERICK, MARIA, HENRY, CATHERINE SARAH, JOSEPH, ANNA D., and two who died in early childhood. In the year, 1845, MR. CREES started for what was then the Territory of Iowa, going down the Ohio River to the Mississippi, then up the Mississippi to Ft. Madison and located in Jefferson County, where he entered 140 acres of land. He improved this land and lived there until the fall of 1854, when he came to Decatur County and entered 480 acres of government land on section 6, Decatur Township, 120 acres on section 1 and 40 acres on section 12, Grand River Township, all of his land being in one body. He first built a log cabin on section 6, Decatur Township, and commenced to improve his land. In 1859, he moved across the line into Grand River Township where he continued to make his home until his death. At one time he owned 740 acres of fine land, but as his children grew up he divided much of it among them, although he still retained the home place of some 200 acres at the time of his death. His wife died January 30, 1883.

In the death of JOSEPH CREES, Decatur County loses one of her best citizens. He was a consistent member of the M.E. Church and for many years held the position as steward. He always took an active interest in religious and educational matters, as well as in every enterprise which tended to the improvement and advancement of this county, being one of the pioneers who helped build many roads, bridges, school houses and churches in this county. He was the soul of honor and the word of JOSEPH CREES was always considered as good as a bond.

The funeral services were held from the family residence on Monday afternoon his remains being laid to rest by the side of his beloved wife in the Funktown [a.k.a. Oak Hill] Cemetery.

Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
October 06, 2014