Oscar Kosneth Bales (1921)

BALES, MACY, WALTON, ROSECRANSS

Posted By: Ida Morse (email)
Date: 12/30/2005 at 22:24:48

Earlham Library Obituaries June 1921
Earlham, Iowa

Death of Mr. O. K. Bales

Mr. O. K. Bales, father of Dr. Francis Bales and Miss Mildred Bales of Earlham; step-father of John Walton, died Sunday at the hospital in Rochester, Minn. following an operation for intestinal cancer. His funeral was held Wednesday at the Christian Church in Adel, and it was expected that interment would then be made at the Dexter Cemetery, but the violent rain caused the postponement of the burial until the following day. A considerable number of Earlham friends, including of course the relatives, attended the last rite. The following obituary is copied from the Adel News:

Mr. Bales was born in Uniontown, Ohio, August 21, 1852, and was at the time of his death 68 years, 9 months and 18 days of age. He came to Iowa in 1863 as a boy and to this county in 1865. a year was spent here and then his parents moved on a farm near Dexter. October 31, 1872 he was united in marriage to Miss Frances M. Rosecrans. To this union were born six children, Rose, Emmor, Gertrude, Mildred and Minette (twins), and Francis. Minette died at the age of 2 years the others are still living. The wife and mother died in 1898 and Mr. Bales was again married to Mrs. L. F. Macy in 1899, who survives him. In early life Mr. Bales engaged in the grain business, and in selling dry goods and groceries, and later went into the hardware business. Twenty years ago in May of last year he came to Adel and formed a partnership with Will Buckman, under the firm name of Buckman and Bales. Just twenty years later, owing to failing health, Mr. Bales sold his interest to B. H. Van Fossen and retired from active business, hoping by freedom from business exactions and with care he might regain his health, but his ailment was such that this was not realized. Mr. Bales was a most highly respected citizen of this place, a man who held the confidence of all who knew him and one whose death brings universal regret. He has been a useful member of society and his death is recognized as a community loss. He was an active member of the I.O.O.F. lodge and had been since 1874.