August Henry Reese 1870-1926

REESE, ELWOOD, WALY, WALZ

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/30/2010 at 20:15:09

Obituary of August Henry Reese
August Henry Reese was born in Cook County, Illinois, on February 21st, 1870, and died at Estherville, Iowa, at his home May 29, 1926, aged 56 years, 3 months and 8 days. His mother died when he was three years [another source says 3 days] old, and his father one year later. He was cared for by two only sisters until he was 14 years of age, when he started out in life for himself.

His early youth was spent in the city of Chicago, and in 1896 he came to Palo Alto county, where on February 6, 1899, he was married to Mrs. Cora Frances Elwood. To this union were born three children; W. C. Reese of Gruver; Mrs. Hattie Waly [another source shows Walz] and Alpha Reese of Estherville. The family continued to make their home in Palo Alto county where Mr. Reese was engaged in farming for a number of years. Twelve years ago the family moved to Park Rapids, Minn., where they farmed five years. They then returned to Emmet County and three years later the family moved to Estherville to make their home. Mr. Reese was employed with the Rock Island Railroad until last December when he was forced to give up his work on account of his health. He has been a patient sufferer from a complication of diseases which later developed into dropsy.

He was a kind and considerate father, always thinking of the family, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to sick friends in time of need. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and relatives here. He leaves to mourn his untimely death, his wife and two sons and a daughter and three step-sons, Reed and Riley Elwood of Estherville; Cassius Elwood of Gruver, and a number of grandchildren and other relatives.

He was a member of the Methodist church of Emmetsburg, and a member of the Modern Woodman Lodge for the past twenty years. The funeral was conducted at the home Monday afternoon this week, Rev. Huxford of the Baptist church preaching the service. Burial was made at Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, June 2, 1926)