VANNESS, William Grant

VANNESS, SMALL, RONK, LUDY, CHAMBERS, HASTINGS, GRADDY, REEVES, RACOBS

Posted By: Oregon Rain
Date: 3/20/2007 at 13:34:26

Submitted by WF
THE SIDNEY ARGUS HERALD
Sidney, Iowa
March 4, 1937.

"A Pioneer at Rest".-- William Grant VanNess was born June 16, 1864, in Fremont county and died in Oklahoma City, February 23, 1937 aged 72 years, 6 months and 7 days. He was the oldest son of John and Rachel VanNess, pioneers of southwestern Iowa. He was reared to manhood in this community and on March 20, 1888, was married to Elizabeth Chambers of Anderson. To this union were born two daughters, Mrs. Vera Ronk of Des Moines, Mrs.Viola Small, St. Joseph, and a son who died in infancy.

In 1900 he removed to Omaha where he resided until the death of his wife and in 1919 he was married to Mrs. Rose Hastings of Oklahoma City where he has since resided.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters and a stepdaughter, Mrs. R.A. Graddy of Dallas, Texas, also six grandchildren; two brothers, James and Albert; three sisters, Mrs. Kittie Reeves of Blair, Nebraska; Mrs. Lucy Racobs of Sidney; Mary VanNess of Omaha. At the time of his death he was a member of the First Christian church of Oklahoma City and Modern Woodmen of America.

The body was brought to Anderson where funeral services were held at the church Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. R. Q. Ludy of Sidney. Two granddaughters, Margaret Rose Small of St. Joseph and Viola Ronk of Des Moines, sang. Interment was in Singleton cemetery.

N.B.: The cemetery in Singleton Grove is known by the name of Chambers Cemetery.--W.F.