Harry Winfield Kiger 1889-1952

KIGER, CRANE, HAMILTON, MCELWEE

Posted By: Cathy Labath (email)
Date: 1/22/2006 at 17:45:55

Mt. Pleasant Free Press
Mt. Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
August 19, 1952

H.W. Kiger
County Home Supt., Dies.

Harry W. Kiger, 62, superintendent of the Henry County Home the last 29 years, died unexpectedly at the County Home Monday afternoon at five o'clock.

Although he had received medical care at intervals over the last two years his condition was much improved recently. After a rather severe illness in February, he had become able again to carry on his work as supervisor at the county home and direct activities on the farm.

He had conversed with Mrs. Kiger, Mrs. C.H. Hamilton and Mrs. Noble Kiger of Fairfield on the porch at the home then walked down the hall to a room and sat down. He was there only briefly when he slumped slightly and passed away. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

In the years that he and Mrs. Kiger have served the county, they have developed the county home into an institution which ranks among the best of its type in the state. Their greatest interest was in making the institution as pleasant a home as possible for persons less fortunate among the county's residents.

Just now the abundance of beautiful flowers about the premises is one of the evidences of what they have been doing for the patients at the home.

Mr. Kiger was a friend to all and no doubt many news readers will recall some instance in which he went out of the way to do them a kindness. His fondness for children was greater than that shown by most men.

Mr. Kiger took great pride in the Holstein herds at the home, accomplishing two objectives, one of keeping good livestock on the farm and the other of providing food for the home residents. A project in which he was interested privately was the raising of large flocks of turkeys.

He was born December 17, 1889, in Glasgow, Jefferson county, the son of Louis H. and Bertha May (McElwee) Kiger. He came to Mt. Pleasant from Fairfield Jan. 1, 1923, to become superintendent of the county home. He was a member of the Masonic and Elks lodges.

He is survived by his wife, Orpha, one daughter, Mrs. Virginia Hamilton, of Oquawka, Ill., three grandchildren, Linda Kay, William Kent and James Kiger, two brothers, Guy C. Kiger and William Glenn Kiger, both of Mt. Pleasant.

The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at three o'clock at the Crane Funeral Home with O.T. Wilson officiating. Burial will be at Forest Home cemetery.

Mt. Pleasant Free Press
Mt. Pleasant, Henry, Iowa
August 23, 1952

The following close relatives from a distance who attended the funeral of Harry Kiger were: O.W. Kiger and family of Ottumwa, Warden Walter A. Hunter of Leavenworth, Kans., Clifford Hunter of Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. A.T. Crane and family of Newton, Mr .and Mrs. Charles Jackson and Frank Jackson of Ottumwa.

Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Hamilton of Waterloo, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace White of Fairfield, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. DeVore of Oquawka, Ill., G.W. Montooth and daughter of Rushville, Ill., and Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Bailey of Burlington.

[Harry Kiger was the husband of my great grandaunt, Orpha Crane Kiger]