Stallings, Wesley – 1854-1940

BUFKIN, STALLINGS, TAYLOR, WHITE

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 3/11/2024 at 12:52:28

Lynnville – Wesley Stallings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Stallings, Sr., was born on a farm about one mile southwest of Lynnville, on Jan. 14, 1854. He was the youngest in a family of six. His mother died while he was still a small child. He died Thursday, Dec. 19, 1940, at the age of 86 years, 11 months and 19 days.
He was educated in the country schools of pioneer days, later attending the Friends Academy in Lynnville. While still very young he learned to play the violin and other instruments and became prominent as a band and orchestra leader in later life.
He was united in marriage to Emma M. White of Lynnville May 27, 1875. After more than fifty years together, his wife passed away in September, 1931. After leaving the farm he engaged in professional photography and had studios in various places finally settling in Des Moines where he was engaged in business for more than 30 years.
He and his wife became members of the Plymouth Congregational church of Des Moines. They moved to Lynnville in 1927 on account of the failing health and increasing deafness of Mr. Stallings. As they had no children of their own they took into their home Carrie Alyce Taylor, the youngest of several children left orphaned by his sister. They educated her in the Des Moines schools and gave her fine musical training. Miss Taylor passed away in Oklahoma of pneumonia during the flu epidemic in 1918. Mr. Stallings, on account of failing health was taken care of during the past 2 or 3 years in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis of Newton.
He leaves no near relatives except nieces and nephews in distant states.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Paul Barnett of Lynnville at 1:30 Saturday afternoon at the home of his wife’s sister Minnie Bufkin. Music was furnished by Mrs. Will Allee and Mrs. Harvey Gause who sang “In the Garden” and “Voices of Glory”.
Burial was in the White family lot at the Woodland cemetery. Pallbearers were George Sparks, Earl Beason, Otis Whetstine, Homer Jay, Cal Trease and Harold Ratcliff.
Raymond White of West Des Moines came Saturday to attend funeral services of Wesley Stallings.
Source: Jasper County Record (Newton, IA); Thursday, January 2, 1941, page 2