Garwood, Foster J. – 1875-1950

BEEMS, GARWOOD, NEGUS, SPRONG, STEWARD

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 12/1/2022 at 13:52:51

Death Of Well Known Former Resident
F. J. Garwood, Jasper County Farmer, Died Friday; Funeral Monday
Foster J. Garwood, 75, died at the hospital at Clarinda, Iowa, Friday following a week’s illness from a coronary complication. Up to the time of this attack he had been in his usual health.
Mr. Garwood operated a farm in Poweshiek township about two miles northwest of Colfax until four years ago when he retired and moved to Bedford to be nearer his daughter and family.
He was of a progressive nature and very civic minded, ever doing an extra bit of work to help out in time of school and political elections, as secretary of the township schools and in community gatherings where he was ever a leader for good. He was a good farmer, a good neighbor and a most likeable friend.
Foster J. Garwood, son of David C. and Mary E. Negus Garwood, was born near Oskaloosa, Iowa, September 11, 1875, and passed away in Clarinda, Iowa, September 29, 1950, at the age of 75 years and 18 days.
When he was a small boy his family moved to Spiceland, Indiana for a few years, returning later to Iowa, and located near Oskaloosa where he grew to early manhood and attended Penn College for a time.
In 1894 he went to Long Beach, California where he was employed for four years by the Light and Power Company. Returning from California, he worked for the Telephone company in Oskaloosa for about a year.
December 26, 1899 he was united in marriage with Miss Lottie Beems and the two of them moved to Davenport, Iowa, where they resided for ten years during which time he was employed by the Tri-City Railroad Company.
March 1910 they moved to a farm north of Colfax, Iowa, where they resided until they retired and moved to Bedford, Iowa, in November, 1946, where they have since made their home.
Mr. and Mrs. Garwood were the parents of two daughters, Mary Jeannetta, who passed away in 1926, and Charlotte Winifred, who is Mrs. C. W. Steward of Bedford, Iowa.
He is survived by his companion, by Dr. and Mrs. C. W. Steward, son-in-law and daughter and three sons, Bill, Bob and Dick; by one sister, Mrs. Bertha Sprong, Richmond, Ind.; by one nephew and three nieces.
Mr. Garwood was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and of several farm organizations. He was secretary of the Poweshiek Township School Board for 29 years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for almost 50 years. He had a birthright in the Friends Church where his membership remained until January 9, 1949, when he united with his wife in the Bedford Methodist Church.
Mr. Garwood was a man of intense loyalties, of high ideals, of unswerving integrity, and enjoyed himself most when he was serving others best. His life might well be characterized by the words of the poet, who wrote. “Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.”
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Robert M. Peters, minister of the Bedford Methodist Church, Monday, October 2, 1950, at 2:00 o’clock in Colfax, Iowa, at the Bumgardner Funeral Chapel. Burial was in McKeever Cemetery.
Pall bearers were A. Jefferies, Richard Evans, Harrison Burton, Fred Moll, Ed Nevin and Frank Morgan.
The Odd Fellows gave their service at the grave.
Source: The Colfax (IA) Tribune; Thursday, October 5, 1950, page 1