George Washington Poffinbarger (1934)

BIRD, BURD, POFFINBARGER, SMITH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/18/2011 at 16:20:15

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 28, 1934
Page 1

Long Illness Claims Former County Auditor and Stone Mason

George W. Poffinbarger died at his home in Winterset, June 20th following a long illness of Bright’s disease. He was 84 years old.

Mr. Poffinbarger’s death was sincerely mourned by a wide circle of acquaintances throughout the community. He was one of the last of the old stone masons, and helped to build many of the old landmark buildings in and around Winterset. He was the last living stone mason who had a part in building Madison county’s courthouse.

Mr. Poffinbarger was elected in 1887 to the office of county auditor of Madison county. He had previously served a term as deputy in that office.

The deceased had lived all his life in Madison county. He was born in Winterset June 17th, 1850. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Poffinbarger, were among the first settlers of the county. In 1887 he was married to Miss Ida Bird who passed away several years ago. They were the parents of three children, a boy and a girl who died in infancy, and Miss Jennie Poffinbarger, who survives him.

Mr. Poffinbarger was a member of the Masonic lodge and the Woodmen of the World. He was also one of the nine charter members of the Madison county historical society.

Funeral services were held in Winterset, June 22nd, in charge of the Rev. George Jones of Knoxville. Burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.

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Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, June 28, 1934
Page 1, Column 7

PIONEER RESIDENT DIES WEDNESDAY
George Poffinbarger Spent Entire Life Here. Services Friday.

George Poffinbarger, 84, lifelong resident of the county, died June 20 at his home in the northeast part of Winterset. He has been ill the last three years with nephritis and had been in a critical condition several weeks before his death.

Mr. Poffinbarger was a stone mason and many of the stone buildings which he helped erect in the county, are still standing. He was deputy auditor several years and in 1887 was elected auditor. He was afterward in the abstract and loan business.

He was one of the nine original members of the Madison County Historical society of which only three are living: and was a member of the Masonic and Woodman lodges. A large collection of valuable old books was left by Mr. Poffinbarger who was widely read.

He was the son of Samuel and Hannah Smith Poffinbarger who were among the earliest settlers of Madison county, his father coming here from Maryland and his mother from Kentucky. He was born in Winterset December 17, 1850.

He was married December 2, 1887, to Ida Burd, who died several years ago. Of their three children, Miss Jessie Poffinbarger is the only survivor, the others dying in infancy. Two brothers, Henry and Christopher are living, and a sister, Mrs. Kessel of Council Bluffs.

Services were held Friday afternoon at the Tidrick funeral home by the Rev. Jones of Knoxville, and burial was in the Winterset Cemetery.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
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