Henry Wm. Kone (1841-1932)

KONE

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/9/2008 at 09:53:24

William Henry Kone 1841-1932
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William Henry Kone, the son of Jacob and Sarah Kone, was born in Lee county, Iowa, on November 15, 1841.

Mr. Kone was a son of Jacob Kone, a Baptist minister, and the last survivor of a family of twelve children. He lost his mother at the age of 3, thus his early years had to be spent with only the father in Magnolia, Iowa and the remaining years in Avoca, with the exception of the year 1873 which was spent in California.

The deceased was united in marriage to Mary Ann Headlee in 1850. This union was blessed with 10 children, four of whom are still living, Jennie of Magna, Utah Albert of Los Angeles, California, George of Rock Island, Illinois, and Dolla of San Francisco, California.

Mr. Kone suffered the loss of his first wife, October 10, 1889.

In the year 1892, he was again united in marriage this time to Julia Prendergast. To this union were born three children: Arthur of Avoca, Irene, who preceded him in death, and Stella, of Columbus, Nebraska.

Mr. Kone came to Avoca in the early sixties, when Avoca was a very small place consisting of only a few houses thus he was privileged to witness the coming of the railroad and other things of interest. Mr. Kone served on the city council of Avoca, being elected in 1878.

He was also appointed sexton of Graceland cemetery, which position he filled for fifty years, taking much pride in keeping this silent city in good and presentable condition.

The deceased was the holder of a government diploma entitling him to act as pension attorney, while many old soldiers were benefited through his efforts in securing for them a pension.

He joined the First Congregational church of Avoca, in May 1924. For the past eight years Mr. Kone was confined to a wheelchair, although his physical condition kept him pretty much at home he was every jovial enjoying the visits of his many friends, with never a complaint in any way.

It was during this time that he was given every consideration and attention by his devoted wife, his son, Arthur, and his daughter-in-law, that could be offered by loved ones.

About the fourth of December he began to fail, his strength waning more rapidly each day until Wednesday morning, December 14th, when he peacefully fell asleep at the age of ninety-one years and twenty-nine days.

Besides his wife he is survived by three sons, three daughters, twenty-five grandchildren, forty great grandchildren, and three great-great-great grandchildren.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald