SCOVEL, James W.

SCOVEL, REED, KELLER, AXTELL, FORNEY, STURGELL, MARSHALL, BRKYAN, PURDUM, HORSFORD, SILVERMAN, BUTCHER, HOPWOOD, ELLIOTT, LIGHT, WINEGARDEN, FULLER, WHITNEY, CONNELL, GROSS, HALL, CARPENTER, DEVINE

Posted By: Judy Dankert-Parsons (email)
Date: 4/21/2006 at 15:55:05

The Montezume Republican, Thursday, March 14, 1940. Funeral Services Said Over Body of J.W. SCOVEL. Funeral services for James W. SCOVEL of Deep River, were held from the Deep River Methodist church at two o'clock Thursday afternoon, conducted by the Rev C.M. REED of Agency. Three of Mr. SCOVEL's favorite hymns, "My Savior First of All", "I Love to Tell the Story" and "Shall We Gather at the River," were sung by a double quartet, composed of N.H. KELLER, C.E. AXTELL, Clark FORNEY, and the Rev Roy F. STURGELL of Deep River, Harold MARSHALL of Marshalltown, and Harold BRYAN, Ben PURDUM and Forrest HORSFORD of Montezuma. Pall bearers were Al SILVERMAN, W.C. BUTCHER, C.V. HOPWOOD, George ELLIOTT, Clarence LIGHT and Phillip WINEGARDEN, all of Deep River. Obituary: James Wright SCOVEL, son of Simeon and Rebecca SCOVEL, was born June 19th, 1865, in Hamilton County, near Webster City, Iowa. When he was about six months old his parents moved to a farm in Iowa County, nine miles southeast of Deep River. Here he grew to manhood with his sister, Hattie S., and brothers Frank, David, and Conrad. His father homesteaded this raw prairie land. On March 4, 1891, he was united in marriage with Cora E. FULLER. To this union three children were born, Harriet, James E. and Kathryn. In the fall of 1906 he moved his family to Deep River where he made a home for his family until death separated the loved ones. Death occurred without warning at six o'clock on March 4th, as he was returning home from work. He was apparently in the best of health. Throughout his long life he was scarcely ill a day. From early boyhood he took an active interest in religious matters and was a worker in the Hope Chapel church; later transferring his membership to the Deep River Methodist church. For many years Mr. SCOVEL was superintendent of the Sunday school, serving in this capacity at both the Hope Chapel and the Deep River Methodist church. He was the captain of the Deep River gospel team, widely recognized for the Deep River gospel team, which was widely recognized for its effective and lasting work. Throughout the years he was an ardent supporter of all that was good and best for the community in Deep River. His purse was ever open toward the betterment of the conditions of his town and community. When improvements were needed, both in church or city, he was one of the leaders in such movements and his advice was much sought. It is through his sacrifices, thoughts and cooperation with others that Deep River owes much of its success and prosperity. On coming to Deep River, Mr. SCOVEL entered into a partnership with Terry CONNELL and E. T. WHITNEY, the firm being known as the T.H. CONNELL Company. At the death of Mr. Whitney and the retirement of Mr. CONNELL, the business was continued by Mr. SCOVEL, who shortly afterwards took PHILLIP WINEGARDEN into partnership and the hardware and implement business continued. Throughout the years he was a loving father, a devoted husband and a helpful neighbor. In the vernacular of the day he was known as a square shooter and his dependability in business and honesty were never questioned. Besides innumerable friends he leaves to mourn, his widow; his daughter, Harriet, and her husband, Raymond GROSS of Washington; his son, James E. and wife, Hilda, of Montezuma; and daughter Kathryn, and husband, Ralph HALL of Elkhart; four grandchildren, Elizabeth CARPENTER, Mildred GROSS, and Patrician and James Lee SCOVEL; one great grandson, James Raymond CARPENTER; and his sister, Hattie S. DEVINE, of New York City, N.Y. His brothers, Frank, David and Conrad have preceded him in death.