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William W. Gentry (1931)

ACHESON, BROWN, FARRIS, GENTRY, HARRINGTON, PALMER, STICKLER

Posted By: Linda Brittain
Date: 7/16/2006 at 10:43:11

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, September 17, 1931
Page 1

Death of W. W. Gentry

W. W. Gentry, one of the oldest pioneer residents of Winterset and Madison county, died at his home on North First street, Sunday evening, September 13th, about ten o’clock. Mr. Gentry who was 90 years of age, had only been ill for several days having had a stroke of apoplexy on Friday. He had been in good health, and less than a week before his death, attended the Old Settlers picnic on Labor Day at the City park.

The deceased was a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gentry and was bon in Putman county, Indiana, July 30, 1841. He came to Missouri with his parents that year and six years later or in 1847, the family came to Madison county, (unreadable). There were but a few settlers here at that time and Mr. Gentry often told of how they had to break the land before they could erect their log cabin. The homestead was in Union township, and was purchased from the government at $1.25 per acre.

Mr. Gentry first attended school in a double log house which stood where the Monumental park is now situated. This log house was also used as a court house, and later the boy attended the rural schools in Union township. He assisted his father with the work on the farm and after his death in 1861, he remained on the home farm to assist his mother. He was married to Miss Elinor J. Acheson on June 23, 1854 and a few years later, they owned a large farm of 300 acres in this township. They resided on the same place (missing information) years and in 1913, they came to Winterset and built the house which has since been their home. Mrs. Gentry died February 11, 1930.

Mr. and Mrs. Gentry were the parents of ten children, eight of whom survive them. Mrs. H. E. Farris of Atwood, Colorado; John Gentry of Valley Junction; Byron of St. Charles; Mrs. Dana M. Palmer of Ottawa; Frank of Des Moines; Mrs. A. P. Stickler of Altoona and Mac and Miss Sylvia Gentry of Winterset. Nineteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, and three sisters also survive him.

The Rev. H. L. Olmstead, pastor of the Church of Christ conducted his funeral services at the church, Tuesday, September 15th, at 2 o’clock and burial was in the Winterset cemetery. More details of his life may be found in the Mortuary column.
________________________

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, September 17, 1931
Page 6

MORTUARY - W. W. Gentry

W. W. Gentry was born in Putman County, Indiana, July 30, 1841, and passed away at his home September 13, 1931, at the age of 90 years, 1 month and 14 days. His family moved to DeKalb county, Missouri, then to Madison county, Iowa in 1847. Mr. Gentry attended school in a double log house which stood where the monumental park is now situated. He later attended school in Union township.

He was married on June 23, 1854, to Eleanor Jane Acheson, who passed away February 11, 1930. To them were born ten children, five boys and five girls. After his father’s death he remained on the farm with his mother assisting her with the work for two years after his marriage. He rented a farm in Union township and in later years purchased the farm on which he lived for 44 years.

In the spring of 1913 he sold the farm and moved to Winterset where he has since resided.

He is survived by the following children: Mrs. H. E. Farris, Atwood, Colorado; John Gentry, Valley Junction; Byron Gentry, St. Charles; Mrs. Dana M. Palmer, Ottawa, Illinois; Frank Gentry, Des Moines; Miss Sylvia Gentry at home; Mrs. A. P. Stickler, Altoona; Mac Gentry, Winterset. Also nineteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. Sarah Brown, Heppner, Oregon; Mrs. Nancy Acheson, Talmo, Kansas; and Mrs. Lucy Harrington, Seattle, Washington.

Mr. Gentry was always willing to do anything in his power to promote the development of his locality and for nine decades he had been a witness of the wonderful growth that has taken place here.

He derived much satisfaction from the thought that he did his share in bringing about the present prosperity of the county.

Funeral services were held at the Church of Christ on Tuesday, September 15th at 2 o’clock. Burial was in the Winterset cemetery.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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