MIDDLETON, Francis 1859–1939

MIDDLETON, DUNHAM

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/12/2013 at 09:11:18

Mrs. Francis Middleton Died Tuesday Morning

Mrs. Francis Middleton, a pioneer resident of the Conrad and Beaman communities, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harvey E. Cross, of Conrad, about 1 o’clock Tuesday morning. She had been in failing health for some time, following a fractured hip, but she had recovered from that injury and was able to be about. She had been spending the winter with her son, Dr. Asa Middleton at Grundy Center, but had come to Conrad a few days ago to visit. Mrs. Middleton was the mother of nine children, eight of whom survive her.

Funeral services will be held at the Methodist church in Conrad Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock with Rev. L. Basil Bell of Missouri, a former pastor of the Assembly of God church in Conrad conducting the rites. He will be assisted by Rev. C. H. Murphy present pastor of the Assembly of God church, and Rev. R. A. Hallett, pastor of the Methodist church. Burial will be in the Conrad cemetery.

A complete obituary will be published in next week’s Record.

Funeral services for Mrs. Francis Adel Middleton, a resident of Conrad for 36 years, who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harvey Cross last Tuesday, were held at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon at the Methodist church in Conrad in charge of Rev. L. B. Bell of Brookfield, Mo., assisted by Rev. R. A. Hallett and Rev. Clyde Murphy, both of Conrad. The older grandsons were pallbearers and the granddaughters were flower girls. Miss Ruth Paddock and Mrs. Nina Stiles of Marshalltown sang.

Mrs. Middleton was born Francis Adel Dunham, daughter of Orange and Sarah Dunham in Eden, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1859. There were three brothers, two half brothers, two sisters and one half sister. One half brother, Art Dunham of Garnett, Kansas survives. At the age of six she moved with her parents to Tama and later to Liscomb where she married Dr. H. F. Middleton in the year 1876. They made their first home in Beaman for 27 years, moving to Conrad 36 years ago. She was the mother of nine children, and one daughter died in infancy. Her husband preceded her in death June 5, 1914.

Surviving are the following children: Dr. Asa Middleton of Grundy Center; Mrs. Myrtle St. Clair of Jefferson; Mrs. Pearl Cross, Mrs. Bess Binder, Mrs. Doll Piper and Mrs. Esther Tortance all of Conrad; Dr. Fred Middleton and Mrs. Faye Bell of Marshalltown. There were 20 grandchildren.

Mrs. Middleton joined the Beaman Methodist church 44 years ago and later transferred her membership to the Conrad Methodist church. The last six years she was a member of the Assembly of God church. Her suffering was of long standing, but she was always patient and happy, proving the trust she had in her Saviour, and her testimony to all she came in contact with was the never failing grace of God.

Those from out of town attending the funeral of Mrs. Middleton included Mrs. Myrtle St. Clair and sons of Jefferson, Rev. and Mrs. Stanley Clarke of Decorah; Mr. and Mrs. Luverne Cross of Arling; Dr. and Mrs. Asa Middleton and two sons of Grundy Center; Mr. and Mrs. Caryl Middleton of Orange City; Mr. and Mrs. Al Johnson of Grundy Center; Dr. Fred Middleton and family, Rev. C. B. Bell and family, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dunham and Mrs. Claud Nickerson of Marshalltown; Horace and Cora Dunham of Liscomb; Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Binder of Des Moines and many friends from nearby towns. A large number of the Marshalltown Gospel Tabernacle attended in a group.

Source: Unknown newspaper clipping found in scrapbook belonging to my great grandmother.