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Richard S. Males (1926)

MALES

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 1/7/2011 at 15:11:06

Winterset Madisonian
Thursday, September 30, 1926
Page 3

Earlham

Much sympathy is extended Mrs. Males and son, Vinton, in the death of Mr. Males, which occurred at his home last Saturday noon.
_________________________

Earlham Echo
Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, September 30, 1926

The Passing of Mr. R. S. Males

The news of the death of Mr. R. S. Males Saturday afternoon came as a painful shock to his many friends who were not aware that his illness was mortal or even serious. He was not a man you thought of as failing in strength or health. From one year to the next he changed not the least. A week before the end he was in his shop at work, as he has worked almost all his life of 77 years. He did not know it, his associates did not know it, but never again was he to pick up the tools of his trade. His life work was ended, the shadow of dissolution already falling athwart his life path. The shadow grew as bodily functions failed suddenly and could not be stimulated by medicine. The failure of the kidneys had reached the point Wednesday where those near to the sufferer knew he could not recover. He was practically unconscious Thursday night, reviving to recognize his son and at noon Friday to speak the name of his friend Dan Jones. About two o’clock Saturday afternoon his stout heart ceased to beat and tired nature gave up the unequal struggle.

Who can hope to tell in a few phrases the history of these simple, unselfish lives of labor and devotion to principle. Certainly not the young people of this age, so far removed from the past. Life as he experienced it was worth while for all its hard work and limited pleasure, of the kind we recognize as such. Richard Males was the product of a different code, a sterner age, yet he understood his young friends and was full of indulgence for what must have seemed to him careless and selfish ways of life.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. E. A. Thomas. A large company of friends gathered to perform the last earthly rite and pay the tribute of respect to his memory. Interment was in Earlham Cemetery. At this service the following biography was read:

Richard Males, son of John and Nancy Males, was born at Morrisville, Indiana in 1849.

The family came to Iowa in an early day and were among the pioneers of the Bear Creek settlement.

Richard was married in 1870 to Lavina Horton, and farmed one year northwest of Earlham. The next year they moved to Ackworth, Iowa, where he became a blacksmith, at which trade he continued until life’s work was ended. To this home came twin children; the daughter died in infancy, the son Vinton was bereft of his mother at the age of seven. A few years later the father and son came to Earlham and on March 17, 1888 Richard married Ella Thornton.

Mr. and Mrs. Males took into their home as one of their own, Eva, the little orphan child of his sister Martha Mendenhall, who remained with them until her marriage and removal to Kansas. Other orphan children have found temporary love and care from these kind hearts which were ever open to those in need.

Mr. Males has been influential in the educational and civic life of our community, serving twelve years on the school board, much of this time as its president; two terms as mayor; many years as marshall; filling other offices of responsibility and trust; and was justice of the peace at the time of his death.

He was an early member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a charter member of the Rebekahs and was always active in the work of these organizations.

After a brief illness he passed away September 25, 1926, the years of his life being three score and ten, and seven. “How long we live not years, but actions tell,” and Richard Males has crowded life’s span full of cheery words, loving sympathy, neighborly deeds, brotherly love, all done in his quiet unostentatious way that will long be remembered.

He leaves his wife, one son Vinton, a grandson Howard, both of Des Moines, and a brother William Males of California.

Gravestone Photo
 

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