Allfree, John Wesley 1833-1916

ALLFREE

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 5/26/2004 at 08:41:18

Death of Venerable Citizen

J.W. Allfree Passes Away At His Home Late This Morning.

Had Been Citizen of Jasper County For Half A Century

Had Been in Poor Health for Past Five Years – Funeral will be Held Some Time Wednesday

John W. Allfree, on of the most highly respected citizens in Jasper county, passed away at his home on North Second Avenue east this morning. He had been in poor health and subject to slight paralytic strokes for the past five years, but a fall three weeks ago left him in a critical condition and his death followed speedily. No definite arrangements for the funeral had been made at noon today, but it will probably be held at the home some time Wednesday.

Mr. Allfree was in his eighty-fourth year. He was a native of Pennsylvania, but had been a resident of Jasper county for more than half a century, having come here from Ohio, in 1865. He lived on his farm west of Newton until thirty years ago when he moved to this city. Here he has lived a quiet, unostentatious life. For probably a quarter of a century he served this community as Justice of the Peace.

In politics Mr. Allfree was a Republican. He studied political questions broadly, and was an authority on the principles of any party. On the tariff question he was undoubtedly one of the best informed men in the middle west. He has had articles on this question in many of the leading state papers many of them having appeared in the Des Moines Capital frequently.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Allfree united with the Methodist church of this city many years ago. They have always maintained a keen interest in the church, its work and its progress.

Mr. Allfree was also an Odd Fellow among the oldest in membership in Newton. ~ Newton Daily News, October 9, 1916.

Note: He is buried in Newton Union Cemetery.