SOUERS, John 1864-1946

SOUERS, HARDERS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/7/2016 at 19:41:08

End Comes For John Souers At Waterloo Hospital

Came To Grundy County 61 Years Ago; Devoted Most Of His Active Life To Farming

John Souers, who came to Grundy county from Illinois 61 years ago, died at St. Francis hospital in Waterloo at seven o'clock Monday morning. He was taken to the hospital on November 30th. A few months ago he met with an accident in which his arm was fractured. He believed he had received only a bruise and refused to have an X-ray examination. About two weeks ago when he was assured that his injury was more serious than a bruise he submitted to an examination that showed a fractured bone. The injured arm weakened his physical condition. Immediate cause of his death was obstruction of the bowels. He was 82 years old.

Was Engaged in Farm Machinery Business
While most of his active life was devoted to farming, he in partnership with the late R. V. Koons was engaged in the farm machinery business in Grundy Center for about ten years. In the closing years of this partnership they also had an automobile agency. For many years Mr. Souers owned two farms in Washington township to which he devoted much of his time after he quit business in town. Even in late years when at times he was in frail health he spent much of his time at his farms.

Was Native of Illinois
Mr. Sourers was born on a farm near Geneseo, Ill., Oct. 9, 1864, and he grew up there. He came from a family of eight children. Only one of them is now living. At the age of 20 he and his brother Theodore came to Grundy county. They bought a farm in Washington township which they owned and operated together a number of years. After that time they each acquired a farm of their own and John bought a second farm nearby some time later.

In 1888 John Souers and Mary Harders were married. They began housekeeping on the Souers farm and lived there until 1900 when they moved to Grundy Center which remained their permanent home. The wife died on December 15th, 1940. He continued to live in his home following the death of his wife with aid of a housekeeper.

Had Many Friends
John Souers was a good man. He had many friends. Those who knew him liked him and trusted him. He lived as close to the principles of the Golden Rule as the best of us. He lived a complete life and left a good record when he passed on.

Had Four Children
Mr. and Mrs. Souers had four children. All of them are living. They are Mrs. Blanche Greene, Sioux City; Mrs. Esther Hawn, Mrs. Loana Allison, Waterloo, and Jack Souers from Ogden, Iowa. There are 6 grandchildren.

Funeral Services Wednesday
Funeral services were at the Coffman funeral home at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Rev. Virgil Smith, pastor of the first Presbyterian church, conducted the services. Burial was in the family lot in the Grundy cemetery.

The pallbearers were Howard Davis, H. Iblings, Elon Ralston, Leonard Brumm, John Greiner and Lyle Hawn. Honorary pallbearers were A. G. Briggs, L. M. Hawn, Will Kelly, I. T. Parkhurst, Dr. McDowell, and Phil Leibsohn and S. E. Henry from Cedar Rapids.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 12 December 1946, pg 1, 5