Noel Adam Neff (1948)

NEFF, EDWARDS, WERTZ, MAGANN

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 2/16/2007 at 09:22:37

Earlham Echo - October 1948
Earlham, Iowa

Noel Adam Neff was born in Brooklyn, Poweshiek county, Iowa, September 23, 1870. His parents Silas C. and Emma Jane Neff were of Holland and Swiss decent. Noel Neff was one of eight children, three of his brothers Guy, Clark and Ralph and a sister, Cora preceded him in death many years ago.

Mr. Neff met his death in a traffic accident on October 15, 1948 at the age of 78 years and 22 days. As a young man Noel Neff learned the hardware and sheet metal business while working with his father, and proved his skill in various places. He worked for a time in the hardware store of William Burr in Adair, Iowa. Noel was a competent salesman and reliable in all his work. Small were the wages of workmen skilled trades in those days. It was soon after he began his work for Mr. Burr in 1890 that Noel received his first ten dollar bill for his labor. While in Adair he was a member of the young men's club, Knights of Phythias lodge, and also a band and orchestra directed by Miss Nellie Edwards.

On Christmas eve December 24, 1895 he was united in marriage with Nellie Edwards at the bride's home. To this union three sons were born, Maurice, Lawrence, and Clark. Lawrence passed away in 1918. In 1896 Noel Neff joined his father in the hardware in Earlham.

He was a charter member of the Masonic Lodge in Earlham.

In later years he operated hardware stores in Malcom, Stuart, Anita and Dexter. His love for the land drew him back to farm at the age of 76 at Booneville where he lived at the time of his death.

He was a faithful loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Nellie and two sons, Maurice and Clark. Two granddaughters, Agnes and Carolyn. Two sisters, Mrs. Grace Wertz, Long Beach, California; Edith Magann of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and one brother, Frank L. Neff of Brooklyn, Iowa.

(Burial was made in the Earlham cemetery.)