Joseph Betts (1916)

BETTS, ERGENBRIGHT, HOLBROOK

Posted By: Treva Patterson
Date: 9/3/2007 at 10:00:35

The Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, October 4, 1916

Death of Joseph Betts

Another of our worthy citizens has passed away; one whose stay among us reaches back to the early history of the city and county. Mr. Joseph Betts was born in Indiana in 1838. When five years old his father came, with the family to Mahaska county, Iowa, where they passed through all the vicissitudes of pioneer life.

In the early sixties when about twenty-five years of age, and was married about that time, he came to Madison county which was his home until his death, living part of the time at St. Charles and other places in the county, but most of the time in Winterset.

He was a stone mason by trade and worked industriously at that strenuous business in all parts of the county. Many will bear witness of his industry and capability. All over the country there are foundations of houses, cisterns, caves and barns which bear mute record of the enduring work he wrought during the long monotonous days and years of a half century.

Mr. Betts began to perceptibly fail soon after the death of his wife, which occurred some years ago and the death of his daughter, Minnie was a severe blow in his declining years. Some three weeks ago he was taken to the Methodist hospital in Des Moines but did not remain there long as the physicians there said nothing could be done for him. On returning from Des Moines he was taken to the home of a neighbor, Mrs. Clara Wight, where he was faithfully nursed.

He died last Monday morning. Funeral services were held at the old home yesterday afternoon conducted by Rev. B. B. Burton of the Church of Christ and interment made in the city cemetery.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, October 4, 1916
Page l

Death of JOSEPH BETTS

Joseph Betts, for fifty years a resident of Madison county, died Monday morning, October 2, in Winterset. He was a native of Indiana, born in 1838.

At the age of five years the family moved to Mahaska county where he lived for twenty years. Then he married Miss Ergenbright, residing here ever since. She died several years ago; since that time he has lived with his daughter, Mrs. Harry Holbrook, until her death a few months ago. Mr. Betts had been afflicted for months with a dropsical ailment which caused his intense suffering.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, Rev. B. B. Burton conducting.

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