Willis BROWN

BROWN, WAGGONER, COWAN, IMUS, VOLNAGGLE

Posted By: Sharon R. Becker (email)
Date: 11/19/2008 at 05:20:42

The Mount Ayr Record-News, 1922

OBITUARY - WILLIS BROWN

Willis BROWN was born in Warren county, Indiana, October 25, 1833, and died March 8, 1922, being eighty-eight years, four months and eleven days old. He was the son of William and Susan (WAGGONER) BROWN. He grew to manhood in Indiana. He came to Ringgold county about 1854 and entered land for his widowed mother, two brothers, three sisters and himself. He has always owned the place which was his home at his death. He was married to Margaret F. COWAN, July 6, 1856. To this union were born seven children, three boys and four girls - Miles, who lives on an adjoining farm; Emma IMUS, of Anaheim, Calif.; Ruth MARSHALL, of Albany, Ore.; Argus I., of Fullerton, Calif., and Alice and Ella at home. Besides these children he leaves to mourn his loss one sister, Mary VOLNAGGLE, of Worth county, Mo., sixteen grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren, and other relatives and neighbors.

He united with the Freewill Baptist church at Lotts Creek, Mo., forty-seven years ago and always held to that faith until a few years ago. The Pentecostal people holding meeting in this community, he became an ardent supporter of their teaching, helping in many ways to advance their cause. He often expressed his faith in the Lord and anxiously looked forward to the Tuesday night prayer meeting, which was held at his house once every two weeks.

Although not able to walk around for years he was very patient, never complaining at all; would sit in his chair and sing many old religious songs, one of his favorites, "Where All Our Sorrows Will Be Over Away in the World That Has No End."

He was in the Civil War [as a private with Company G of the 3rd Iowa Volunteer Infantry] nearly two years. His eyes became afflicted and was in the hospital most of the time. He lost sight of one eye and the other was injured.

One son, Dempsey, and his wife preceded him in death.

Since the death of his wife in 1909, he has been faithfully cared for by his daughters, Alice and Ella.

The funeral was conducted by Sister Mary MOSIER at the Hickory Grove church Thursday, March 9, using this scripture for a text: "Thou shalt come to thy grave in full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." Job 5:26.

He was laid to rest by his companion [Hickory Grove Cemetery, RInggold County, Iowa].

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to thank our many friends for their acts of kindness and sympathy during the sickness and burial of our dear father. -- Alice and Ella BROWN. Miles and Family
NOTE: Margaret F. (COWAN) BROWN, wife of Willis, was born on June 8, 1840 and died July 21st, 1907 with interment at Hickory Grove Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. William "Dempsey" BROWN, son of Margaret F. (COWAN) and Willis BROWN, was born in 1900 and died September 26, 1904, aged four years, 7 months and 26 days, interment at Hickory Grove Cemetery.

Transcription & note by Sharon R. BECKER, 2008