Cordray Alpheus Elwood – 1856-1914

CORDRAY, HAND

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 9/19/2022 at 13:22:25

Alpheus Elwood Cordray was born at Athensville, Ohio, February 28, 1856, and died at his home in Colfax, October 16, 1914. He was the second son in a family of seven. When 8 years old his parents came to Greencastle, where, three years later, his other died. Bereft of a mother’s care he soon learned to appreciate the kindness shown him by neighbors and especially two Greencastle women he never forgot, and never failed to visit when in that hamlet – Mrs. Hezikiah Woods and Mrs. E. D. Duncan; “For,” said he, “I have thought very many times of how kind both were to a hungry, motherless boy.” At 14 his father took him with him to a farm near Sedalia, Mo. Later on he obtained work on the railroad which became his life work, until 1896 when, on account of failing health he retired from the work. He served two years on the Des Moines police force and proved himself a brave, efficient officer.
May 19, 1879, he was married to Mary E. Hand, of Greencastle, and to them were born four children (two daughters) Kitty Pearl, Frank Hand, Elsie and Hugh L.; only the latter survives and was with his mother at the bedside of his father. Mr. Cordray’s father was a solider in the Civil war, serving in the 23d Ohio Infantry, and the son inherited his father’s patriotism. He enjoyed attending old soldiers’ gatherings and whenever invited he himself and son, Hugh, furnished martial music, for those occasions. He early united with the M. E. church South, at Denison, Texas.
Mr. Cordray had been in poor health for more than a year, but his condition did not become alarming until last July, when the symptoms of his disease became pronounced. From that time on he lingered, his sufferings lightened by the best of medical skill and tender nursing, until he closed his eyes in the sleep that knows no waking.
The funeral was from the M. E. church in this city last Sunday morning, conducted by Rev. Pruitt, and interment was in Greencastle cemetery.
Source: newspaper unknown (could be a Colfax, IA paper); death date October 16, 1914 (found in a scrapbook at the Colfax, IA public library)