John William Menefee (1930)

CAVE, CLINE, MENEFEE, SLEEZER, SULGROVE

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 5/23/2015 at 14:52:22

Newspaper Unknown
Cherokee County, Iowa

Menefee Funeral Largely Attended

Held at Congregational Church on Thursday Last Week

Funeral services for J. W. Menefee, mention of whose death was made last week, were held at the Congregational church last Thursday afternoon, and burial took place in the Aurelia cemetery. The services at the church and also at the grave were very largely attended, evidence of the high esteem in which this pioneer settler was held by the people of this and neighboring communities.

J. William Menefee was born at Evansville, Preston county, West Virginia, on September 4, 1847, and died at Aurelia, Iowa, on August 5, 1930, having reached the age of 82 years, 11 months and 1 day.

At the age of 12 years, with his parents, he moved to Washington county, Ohio. When a young man he came to Madison county, Iowa, where in the year 1873 he was united in marriage to Martha Cline. To this union two children were born, both dieing in infancy. His wife, Martha, died in 1876.

In 1875 he made the Journey over-land to northwest Iowa and settled, in Afton township, Cherokee county, on land that he purchased from the Illinois Central railway company for $8.00 per acre.

Three years later he was united in marriage to Naoma Sulgrove. With the help of his wife they established a home and together have traveled life's highway for a period of 52 years.

Possessing the heroic spirit of true pioneers they shouldered their responsibilities, shared in the building of a commonwealth, and were for many years spared by God to enjoy the fruits of their labors.

Twice during his life he and his wife had to bear the burden of bereavement. Their second child, a baby girl, was taken from them in infancy, and later Goldie Elizabeth at the age of ten years.

During his long life the deceased won for himself a large number of friends. His hospitable, friendly nature instantly drew people towards him. He served for 45 years as school treasurer of Afton township district. His fraternal relationship was held in the Knights of Pythias order.

Surviving him there remains the widow and four children, Charles, Mrs. Opal Cave, Mrs. Leota Sleezer, and McKinley, besides five grand-children. Also two brothers, Clark of Rembrandt, and Frank of Long Beach, California.

Gravesite
 

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