George Felkey 1847-1910

FELKEY, CHURCHILL, GOLDSBURY, GOLDSBERRY, PETERSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/8/2014 at 00:21:47

George Felkey Dead
Prominent Resident of Armstrong Grove Township About Forty Years
Has Been Ill For Many Years
Funeral Held at Farm Home Yesterday and Burial Made in Armstrong Cemetery Tuesday
George Felkey, an old time resident of Armstrong Grove township, passed away at his home Sunday afternoon. The funeral was held from the house yesterday afternoon, Rev. Daniel Williams of Storm Lake officiating. Burial was made in Armstrong cemetery.

George Felkey was born October 29, 1847, in Fairbury, Ill. He was the oldest of fourteen children. He was married to Miss Mary Churchill in Mitchell county, Iowa, August 23, 1868. Eight children were born to this union. The children still living are: Mrs. Goldsberry of Halfa, Jesse F. Felkey of Halfa, John F. Felkey of Armstrong, Mrs. C.M. Peterson of Ruthven, Minn., Elmer Felkey of Halfa and Mrs. C.N. Peterson of Halfa.

Mr. Felkey came to Emmet county in September, 1871 – nearly forty years ago. He then settled on a farm in Armstrong Grove township where he lived at the time of his death. In 1901 he joined the Presbyterian church and has always lived an upright life. For many years he drove a stage coach from Algona to Estherville by way of Armstrong Grove township. As one old settler expressed it, “Many old settlers remember to this day how kind and accommodating he was.” During these years he suffered severely from the exposure while making the rips. About twenty years ago his health gave away. He has been confined to his house most of the time the last few years and has been gradually getting worse until death called him. He was a brother of Mrs. O. Neville of this city. Mr. Felkey was a good citizen, worthy in every way and his death will be greatly mourned.

Besides a wife and children other relatives and friends are left to mourn his death. The Enterprise joins in sympathy. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, November 2, 1910)

Obituary – Felkey
Mr. George Felkey was born in Fairbury, Illinois, his parents were Daniel and Florindo Felkey, to them were born fourteen children of which George was the eldest.

George was married to Mary Churchill in Mitchell Co., Iowa, August 23, 1868. To them were born four sons and four daughters. Two, Albert and Myrtle died some years ago; the following six are living: Rose (Mrs. Goldsbury) and Jesse, of Halfa; John, of Armstrong; Isabell (Mrs. C.M. Peterson) of Ruthven, Minn., Elmer and Mayme (Mrs. C.N. Peterson) both of Halfa.

George Felkey came to Emmet county in September in 1871, nearly forty years ago, settled on his farm, section 21, Armstrong Grove township, where he spent the rest of his life except one year when he lived in Armstrong.

He united with the Presbyterian church at Armstrong in 1901, soon after he transferred his membership to Halfa and was elected elder of the church there.

Mr. Felkey for many years drove a stage between Algona and Estherville, via Armstrong Grove, and many of the old settlers remember to this day how kind and accommodating he was.

During these years he suffered from exposure while crossing the bleak prairies on wintry and blustering days. About twenty years ago his health began to fail and for the last two and three years he suffered greatly at times and was confined to his home almost wholly since last November.

He passed away at 3:20 p.m. Sunday, October 30, 1910, being sixty-three years and one day of age. In the absence of the pastor, Rev. Shart, the funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon by Rev. Daniel Williams, of Storm Lake, Iowa.

The funeral was attended by a large number of the old setters who had known Mr. Felkey so favorably and so long. – Armstrong Journal (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, November 9, 1910)