YAGER, Oliver Perry 1858-1937

YAGER, HARDY, MUSSER, BATES, PRICE

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 10/7/2011 at 15:03:35

OBITUARY FOR OLIVER YAGER

Born at Locust, Iowa, Oct. 24, 1858
Passed Away Sept. 24, 1937

Oliver Perry Yager, son of Henry Yager and Mary Magdalene Musser, was born at Locust, Iowa, near Decorah, Iowa, October 24, 1858.

He was the third of a family of seven children, six sons and one daughter, all deceased except Henry A. Yager and Charles W. Yager, Riceville, Iowa and Center Point, Iowa, respectively.

He grew to manhood on the farm at Locust. Completing rural school he attended Decorah High, then taught in the rural schools of Winneshiek county.

After several years of teaching, he enrolled as a student at the Valder Business college at Decorah. At graduation, he became bookkeeper for the Henry Paine Insurance agency, Decorah.

Later he learned the watch-repairing trade and the jewelry business, locating in Riceville around 50 years ago. He followed this business here in Riceville continuously up to eight weeks ago, when he and his wife, on account of their failing health, were taken to remain with their daughter and only child Mrs. Alfred Bates, at Wells, Minn.

It was here, among his loved ones, that he peacefully fell asleep Friday evening, Sept. 24, 1937, having lived a life filled with good deed, uprightness, sterling integrity and devotion to family.

Returning to Mr. Yager's young manhood, soon after coming to Riceville, he made the acquaintance of Miss Margaret Hardy, daughter of William and Margaret Jane Hardy, Florenceville, Iowa, who then was a teacher in the Riceville schools.

This acquaintance ripened into deep regard, and marriage on May 8, 1889, at the parental Hardy home at Florenceville. The wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr. Kerr. O.P. Yager and wife affiliated themselves with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they rendered faithful service as long as health permitted.

Immediate members of the family remaining, are his bereaved wife, and only child, Mary Lee, (Mrs. Alfred Bates), and brothers, Henry A., Riceville, Iowa and Charles W., Center Point, Iowa.

Franklin, William V., Simon R., and Lillian (Mrs. R.G. Price) are all deceased. Thus is the tale of passing time.

A brief service was held at the Alfred Bates home at Wells, Minn., Sunday, Sept. 26, 1937, and the body then brought to Riceville for regular burial service at Methodist Episcopal church.

The funeral sermon was given by the Rev. F.M. Garret, pastor of the church and was assisted in the service by the Rev. Wm. Kerwin, a former pastor and district superintendent, now in charge of the Rudd church.

The sermon by the Rev. Garrett was uplifting and fitting, and the brief eulogy of the Rev. Kerwin was touching and much appreciated.

The church rostrum was beautifully decorated with flowers, the offering of relatives and many friends of the family. If the beauty and fragrance of flowers speak the personal regard and respect of their donors, then, indeed have the efforts of life not been in vain. At the time of Mr. Yager's death he was holding the office of "Trier of Appeals" in the quarterly conference.
During the services, Mrs. Caroline Crain played several of the beautiful old and new hymns of the church.

The pallbearers were: Lester Yager, Robert Wilkes, Jr., Frederick Wilkes, Walter River, Rudy Doerr, and Loyd Richmond.

Relative and friends from far away in attendance were: Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Yager, Center Point; Harry Yager and Mr., and Mrs. W.D. Yager, Calmer; Florence Yager, Decorah; Mrs. Josephine Becker, Cresco; L.L. Carpenter and family, Fairmont, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Granger, Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Wells and Mr. and Mrs. F.J. Warner, Wells, Minn.

The eulogy of friends:

A former pastor, Rev. Kerwin spoke of Mr. Yager's loyalty and devotion to the church and his interest and support of all good and worthy causes, his faithful attendance at the services of the church and the hospitality of the home for the pastor and his family. It was one of the joys and privileges to work with our brother. The community is richer and the world better for his having lived and passed our way, but all of us suffer loss in his going but it is his gain.