Josephine P. (Walker) Putnam (1847-1921)

WALKER, PUTNAM, MCDONALD, COBB, KING, FOLLETT, CAMPBELL, HARNESS

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

CALLED HOME

Another of Hartley's oldest citizens was called home to that long rest Wednesday afternoon when Grandma Putnam gave up the battles of this life at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clarence McDonald, in this city after but a few days illness. Deceased suffered a stroke on Friday last and failed to rally, although for a time it was hoped she might recover. Grandma Putnam has resided in this city for some years past and was most highly esteemed by all who knew her.

Josephine P. Walker, the eldest of nine children born to William and Sarah Walker, was born May 5th, 1847 in Philadelphia, Pa., and on last Friday, three years after the death of her husband, she had a paralytic stroke from which she suffered until released by death Wednesday afternoon, June 8th, 1921, at the age of seventy-four years, one month and three days.

When she was small her parents moved to Illinois where they lived until July 1856 when they settled at Xenia, Iowa, where she received her education and for some years was a teacher in the public schools.

March 11th, 1866 she was united in marriage with Dennison C. Putnam and their union was blessed by nine children, six of whom preceded her in death.

The family moved from Xenia, Iowa, to Rockwell, Iowa, and forty years ago they settled on section 36, Omega township, O'Brien county, Iowa, and since that time she has resided in this county. Since the death of her husband she has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Clarence McDonald, in Hartley.

When quite young she united with the Baptist church and was an active worker and member so long as she lived near a church of, that denomination. Later she united with the Church of God in which she was a great worker and helped to build the church near Moneta, Iowa, on land which she and her husband gave for that purpose. She was always ready to help those in need and active in good works. She was also a member of the Rebekah lodge.

She is survived by three brothers, Samuel Walker and John Walker of Eldora, Iowa, and Frank Walker, of Winnebago, Minnesota; four sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Cobb, Mrs. O. J. King and Mrs. Hobart Follett of Eldora, Iowa; and Mrs. Maggie Campbell of Hubbard, Iowa; three children, Lewis W. Putnam of Hartley, Iowa, Mrs Martha Harness of Primghar, Iowa and Mrs. Clarence McDonald of Hartley, Iowa, besides nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Her four sisters were with her before she lost consciousness and at the time of her death. Her daughter Mrs. Harness of Primghar was too ill to be present at her bedside with her son and other daughter.

Services will be held tomorrow, Friday, at the M. E. church in this city at 1 o'clock and interment will be made in Pleasant View cemetery.

Hartley (Iowa) Sentinel, 9 Jun 1921, p8