James Finders

FINDERS

Posted By: Joseph K. Hilsabeck (email)
Date: 1/3/2011 at 17:28:09

Times Republican, Marshalltown, Iowa, Monday, September 24, 1934

James Finders, 86, Dies at Furgerson
Hodgkin’s Disease is Cause of Death
Born in Lynnville, Sos of Early Pastor of Christian Church Northwest of Ferguson – Ten Children Survive – Funeral Services Tuesday

James Finders, 86, one fo the oldest settlers of Marshall County, passed away at 12:50 o’clock Sunday morning at his home in Ferguson, after being confined to his bed for two weeks with Hodgkin’s disease. Mr. Finders, who was widely know in Marshall and Jasper Counties, had, had been in failing health for several months.
James Finders was borne in Lynnville, Jasper County, April 19, 1848, a son of Boston and Lydia Turner Finders. His father was a minister of the Christian Church, serving at the church which stood in the early day on the W. F. Smith farm, northwest of Ferguson. Mr. Finders was a member of the Christian Church.
He came to Ferguson when a child and spent most of his life in central Iowa, with the exception of a few years in Gentry County, Missouri.

Married Pioneer Girl

He was married January 1, 1868 to Miss Susannah, daughter of pioneer couple, Mr. and Mrs. Elias Hilsabeck, of near Ferguson. Mrs. Finders dien March 20, 1924. Mrs. And Mrs. Finders were the parents of 11 children, one of whom, a daughter, Mae, died in infancy. The 10 surviving children are: Charles A. Finders, Oliver A. Finders, Boston E. Finders, Mrs. Elma King, Robert J. Finders, Ray R. Finders and Mrs. Emma Gummert, Marshalltown, and Oscar R. Finders, Sac City
A brother, William Finders, Bluffton, Missouri, a sister, Mrs. Martha Reminton, Mountain View, California, 45 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren also survive.

Recalled First Celebration

Mr. Finders, whose mental capacity was unimpaired in his later years, recalled many incidents of pioneer l life in Marshall County. He well remembered the first Forth of July celebration in Marshalltown, in 1853, although he was not very old at the time of the observance. The dinner was served picnic style and the weather was so cold that many wore their overcoats.
He recalled when merchants, as well as the settlers, had to freight supplies by wagon from Iowa City, Keokuk, Muscatine and Davenport. The trucking was done usually by Marshalltown residents, who usually used three oxen to the wagon, making their own trail, with the roundtrip taking from two to six weeks.
Mrs. Finders’ father drove a herd of hogs to market at Iowa City and returned home to find a son had died and had been buried during his absence.

Funeral Services Tuesday

The funeral of Mr. Finders will be held Tuesday with a prayer service from the home at 1:30, followed by a service from the Ferguson Christina Church at 2:00 o’clock.
The services will be in charge of Rev. Herman Crawford, pastor of the Ferguson Church and burial will be in the Timber Creek Cemetery.