Edwin Lewis Goltry 1858-1945

GOLTRY

Posted By: Julia Johnson (email)
Date: 9/6/2014 at 09:35:56

 E. L. Goltry
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Edwin Lewis Goltry, son of Aaron and Sarah [Landon] Goltry was born April 19, 1858, in Lucas County, near Russell, Iowa. He died at Bedford on December 24, 1945 at the age of 87 years, 8 months and 5 days.

His father died while serving as a soldier in the Civil War and the mother was left to rear her family of four children in a small log cabin located on forty acres of brush land. They endured the hardships of extreme poverty and pioneer conditions which thrust upon him early in life the heavy responsibilities of helping support the family.

In a crude log schoolhouse near his home he secured the rudiments of his education but most of his knowledge was obtained through his own efforts.  For a time in young manhood he taught school and throughout his life he kept abreast of the times through continuous reading and study.

He came to western Iowa in 1879 and in 1885 was united in marriage with Emma Adair Duff. They established their first home on a farm in Pottawattamie County, later purchasing for their permanent home a tract of virgin prairie land in Montgomery County. Through their efforts this was transformed into a home with a setting of beautiful trees and flowers.

He was interested in community advancement and was instrumental in helping to organize the Elliott Mutual Telephone system.

During the Civil War his mother taught him to knit and during the two world wars he was one of the most industrious of Red Cross knitters.

Mr. Goltry is survived by one son Ray [Lewis Raymond] of Red Oak, three daughters, Grace Bowdish of St. Louis, Mo., Clara Mullen of Bedford, and Laura Kemling of Grant, Nebr., 25 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; one brother, William L. Goltry of Boone, Iowa.
 
His wife preceded him in death in 1922 and the oldest daughter, Maude Chickering, in 1929. One granddaughter died in infancy and three grandsons recently, one of whom gave his life for his country. Mr. Goltry was a member of the Elliott Methodist Church.
 
Bedford Times-Press Thursday
January 3, 1946 [p.4]