Joseph Van Scoy (1933)

VAN SCOY, ONEAL, LYNCH, FOWLER, BRADSHAW, KILLIAM

Posted By: Treva Patterson (email)
Date: 2/3/2007 at 12:08:06

Winterset Madisonian-Winterset, Iowa
May 18, 1933

JOSEPH VAN SCOY

Joseph Van Scoy is the last of a family of fourteen children to pass to his reward. He was the youngest son and thirteenth child of William and Mary Van Scoy, and was born in Barber county, Virginia, now in the state of West Virginia, on February 21st, 1846, and passed away at his home in St. Charles, May 10, 1933, age 87 years, 2 months and 19 days. When a lad he came with his parents in 1855 to Warren county, Iowa, settling in New Virginia. Here others had settled from the same part of Virginia hence the name also of Virginia township, and New Virginia. Five years later he moved with his parents to Indiana only to return to a farm near New Virginia.

On March 24, 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Arah Jane O'Neal in the village of Ottawa in Clarke county, Iowa. They went to housekeeping on a farm near New Virginia where they resided for nearly 20 years, his parents making their home with them until their death, and now lie buried in the New Virginia cemetery. In 1892 they sold the farm and bought a hotel and restaurant in Woodburn, in which business they were engaged until 1901 when they came to St. Charles still continuing in the same business until he retired and bought a home in the east part of town where he lived until his death.

Mr. and Mrs. Van Scoy were blessed with eight children, Malinda and Minatta, twin daughters, dying in infancy. Lair, the only son, passing away March 10, 1915 and Mary Alta on March 21, 1931.

The remaining children are; Mrs. Laura Fowler, Mrs. Leona Lynch, Mrs. Almetta Bradshaw and Mrs. Vesta Killiam. His faithful wife, after 58 years of wedded life passed to her reward September 10, 1930. Mr. Van Scoy was converted at the age of 19 and became a member of the Methodist church in Indiana and later transferring his membership to New Virginia, Woodburn and lastly to St. Charles.

He had been so frail and weak as to be unable to walk without assistance.

Besides his children he leaves eighteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, many nephews and nieces and a host of friends. His last sickness was only of two weeks duration, his death quickly following a second stroke of paralysis, passing away so quietly those at his bedside hardly knew when death came.

Rev. Nixon, his pastor conducted the funeral Friday afternoon at the Methodist church and burial was in the St. Charles cemetery.