Gorrell, Francis Hendricka – 1845-1937

GOODRELL, GORRELL, GRAHAM, HENDRICKS, HUNTER, RANDALL

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:40

Mrs. Gorrell, 92, Suffers Stroke at Home Here Today
Mrs. J. R. Gorrell, 92, widow of a pioneer Jasper county physician, suffered a stroke early this morning at her home, 320 First Avenue East. Her right side is paralyzed.
Mrs. Gorrell has been a resident of Newton since the early sixties. She is the mother of Mrs. J. W. Hunter.
Source: Newton Daily News; Saturday, October 23, 1937

Mrs. J. R. Gorrell, 92, Dies This Morning
Suffered Stroke; Had Been In Ill Health Since May
Widow of Pioneer Jasper County Physician Lived In Same House 61 years
Mrs. J. R. Gorrell, 92-year old widow of a pioneer Jasper county physician, died this morning in the home she had lived in for the past 61 years.
Mrs. Gorrell died at 3:15 a.m. today, following a stroke suffered last Saturday morning. She had been in ill health, however, since May.
Born in Indiana
The well known Newton woman was born, Jan. 19, 1845, in Auburn, Ind.
At the age of 16 years she married Dr. J. R. Gorrell, a young physician, who was then practicing in Newville, Ind.
Dr. Gorrell served in the Civil war as a surgeon and after the war between the states had ended, the young couple came to Newton. Dr. Gorrell practiced here from 1865 until his death in 1916.
Mrs. Gorrell continued to live in their home on First Avenue East and today the front door still bears the name plate “J. R. Gorrell.”
Helped Others
Her philosophy of life was to help others and many residents of Newton and other places have been aided by Mrs. Gorrell in their problems.
She had been a member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and Woman’s Relief Corps.
Funeral services for Mrs. Gorrell will be held in her home Sunday at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Newton Union cemetery.
Survivors
Surviving is a daughter, Mrs. J. W. Hunter, and three sisters, Mrs. J. S. Goodrell of Des Moines and Mrs. J. S. Randall and Mrs. Frank H. Graham, both of Georgetown, Colo.
A son, Arthur Gorrell, died in 1911. Attorney Donald G. Hunter of Newton is the only grandchild.
Daughter of Physician
Mrs. Gorrell’s maiden name was Frances Hendricks. She was a daughter of Dr. Joel E. Hendricks and Leah Hendricks.
Dr. Hendricks was a famous mathematician of his day and at one time published a magazine on higher mathematics. Some of his writings are in libraries all over the world. He was also a prominent physician.
Dr. Gorrell was himself a writer of force and great versatility and wrote a book entitled “Sins Absolved,” embodying his views on religion. Interwoven with a thrilling story of the Civil war.
Source: Newton Daily News; Thursday, October 28, 1937
(includes photo)

Simple Rites Held For Jasper County Pioneer
Services for Mrs. J. R. Gorrell Held in Heirloom-Filled House
The final chapter in the life of one of Jasper county’s most prominent pioneer women was written Saturday when funeral services were held for Mrs. J. R. Gorrell, 92.
As a fitting setting for the solemn occasion, the rites were held in the home on First Avenue East, where Mrs. Gorrell had lived for 61 years, and which is filled with the heirlooms and mementos of nearly a century.
Ramige in Charge
Dr. E. A. Ramige, pastor of the First Congregational church, was in charge of the simple rites, attended by approximately 100 relatives and close friends of the family.
Carol Hundling Burton, violinist, presented the selection “Going Home,” and played softly several numbers at the close of the service.
Interment was in the Newton Union cemetery, beside the grave of her husband, Dr. Joseph R. Gorrell, oft-mentioned in the early medical annals of Jasper county.
Pall Bearers
Pall bearers were George Garton and L. B. Horning of Des Moines and C. A. Kendall, Emory Moore, Joe Arvidson and John Emery, all of Newton.
Mrs. Mace Butler, Miss Jessie Winslow and Mrs. Joe Arvidson were in charge of the floral arrangements.
Attending from out-of-town were a sister, Mrs. J. S. Gorrell, 82, of Des Moines, and May Gorrell, Estelle Patterson, Mr. and Mrs. George Garton, Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Horning, Mrs. D. G. Martin, Mrs. J. W. Wickham, Callie Brewer, Fred Brewer, Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Brownell, Mrs. Fleeta Woodroffe and daughter, Isolene, Scott Brownell, and Mrs. A. W. Grafton of Des Moines and Gertrude Herr of Ames.
Died Thursday
Mrs. Gorrell died Thursday morning at the home as the result of a stroke, suffered Oct. 23.
Mrs. Gorrell had been active physically, in spite of her advanced age, until she was taken ill with heart trouble May 17. However, she was able to be up a short time each day until she suffered the stroke.
Possessing a keen mind, Mrs. Gorrell retained her mental faculties until the end.
Mrs. Gorrell came to Newton with Dr. Gorrell shortly after the close of the civil war and the latter practiced here from 1865, until his death in 1916.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Gorrell was preceded in death by a son, Arthur Gorrell, in 1911.
Surviving relatives include her daughter, Mrs. J. W. Hunter; three sisters, Mrs. J. S. Goodrell of Des Moines and Mrs. J. B. Randall and Mrs. Frank H. Graham, both of Georgetown, Colo., and a grandson, Attorney Donald G. Hunter of Newton.
Source: Newton Daily News; Monday, November 1, 1937

Gorrall, Francis Hendricka; born: 10 Jan. 1845; in Indiana; died: 27 Oct. 1937; Mother’s maiden name: Gish; Death Cert # C50-0093