Akin, Joseph Elmer 1840-1933 and Lucy Mariah Clough Family

AKIN, CLOUGH, BARTON, QUIMBY

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/7/2021 at 14:38:06

Akin, Joseph Elmer (1840-1933) and Lucy Mariah Clough Family

This story was taken from the ‘Rock Valley Records & Recollections’ book written about 1976 in honor of the two hundredth birthday of our nation. It was a revision of the history written by Lottie Thomas in 1955. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society and some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

JOSEPH ELMER AKIN--Joseph Elmer Akin was born at Jamestown, New York in 1840. He came to Sturgis Falls (Cedar Falls), Iowa, with his parents in 1857,

In 1867, he married Lucy Mariah Clough, who came with her parents from Chelsea, Vermont in 1857 to Floyd, Iowa. Joseph met Lucy at Osage where she was attending the “Female Seminary.” There were five children: Eva, Edith, Floy, William and Harry. The Akin family moved to a farm in Sioux County between Rock Valley and Hudson, South Dakota in 1885.

In 1904 Joseph leased the farm to his son Harry, and built a house in Rock Valley. Eva married Meldon Waite and lived on a farm near Inwood. Edith married Amos Fritts and lived in Rock Valley. Floy attended Cedar Falls Teachers’ College and continued to live with her parents while teaching in the Rock Valley School. Later, she married Bob Smith and moved to a farm in Wisconsin. Willie died at eighteen of diptheria.

Joseph was interested in horticulture, and had an especially fine orchard and garden. He also liked to read, and he read everything from Shakespeare to social reform. On winter evenings he often read to his family.

Here are two quotes about Joseph, when he was eighty-eight years old, taken from a 1928 issue of the Sioux City Journal. The quotes were written by Mrs. G.W. Kessler, Journal correspondent.

“He was a lover of flowers—on Decoration Day or special occasions, he may be seen cutting bouquets for friends.” “Mr Akin has improved his place with electricity, sewer, and a radio.”

(See separate BIOS for Harry's family)
HARRY AKIN—Harry Akin was born in 1880 in Floyd, Iowa and came with his parents to the farm in Sioux County in 1885. In 1904, he married Katherine Ellen Neary, a teacher in the home school.

Katherine came with her grandparents to Wisconsin and later to Vail, Iowa. Later her parents joined her in Vail. Her father, a coal miner in Pennsylvania, died in Vail of miner lung disease. In 1894 the family received word from a Rock Valley relative that a teacher was needed in the Rock Valley school. Katherine was taken out of high school, and with her grandparents, mother, and sisters and brothers, came to Rock Valley, where she taught and met her future husband, Harry Akin. They were married in St. Mary’s Church in 1904 and then moved to the home farm. There were four children: Margaret, Joseph E., Lucille, and Harry M. Harry M. was born ten days after his father was killed in a car accident as the family returned from Sunday Mass and visits with the families in Rock Valley.

Harry was as interested in mechanics as his father was in horticulture. Together they improved production and production methods on the farm. Harry had one of the first gasoline engines for harvesting. He also set up a gasoline powered drive shaft to operate the cream separator, the churn, and the washing machine.

In 1915, a year after her husband’s death, Mrs. Akin built a house in Rock Valley where the family grew to maturity. Joseph was graduated from Trinity High School in Sioux City and after several years attended Iowa State College at Ames where he was graduated as a member of the veterinary medicine honor society in 1934. He set up practice in Hawarden, Iowa where he practiced for several years. He married and had four children.

Harry M. Akin was graduated from Rock Valley High School, attended the Sheldon Junior College, and Electrical School in Chicago. He worked in Birmingham, Alabama, and Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1959 at De Kalb, Illinois, Harry M. died of a heart attach. Survivors included his wife and four children.

After graduation from Mt. St. Clare Academy in Clinton, Iowa, Lucille attended beauty school in Fargo, North Dakota. After working several years in Rock Valley, she went to De Kalb, Illinois, where she married and became the mother of four children. Lucille continues to operate her own business—the Carol-Lu Beauty Salon.

Margaret was a member of the last graduation class of St. Mary’s School in Rock Valley, and the first graduation class of Mt. St. Clare Junior College in Clinton, Iowa. Following graduation from the University of Minnesota, she continued teaching, which she had been doing before entering the University of Minnesota. In 1935 she married Dr. C.J. Shroeder, who had come to Rock Valley to practice dentistry. Jim Schroeder was born and raised in Alton. He located in Rock Valley after completion of his dental studies at Creighton. The Schroeders have lived here ever since. There are four children: Sharon (Donovan) of San Diego; James Michael of LeMars; Matthew of Saranac Lake, New York; and Ellen of Houston, Texas.

(Mrs. C.J. Schroeder)

Taken from FamilySearch -The Life Summary of Joseph Elmer
When Joseph Elmer Akin was born on 14 September 1840, in Carroll, Chautauqua, New York, United States, his father, Joseph Akin II, was 30 and his mother, Lucinda Barton, was 21. He married Lucy Maria Clough on 1 January 1867, in Floyd, Iowa, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Settlers Township, Sioux, Iowa, United States in 1900 and Rock Township, Sioux, Iowa, United States in 1920. He died on 26 May 1933, in Rock Valley, Sioux, Iowa, United States, at the age of 92, and was buried in Rock Valley, Sioux, Iowa, United States.

OBITUARY OF Joseph Elmer Akin
From the Alton Democrat, June 2, 1933, Rock Valley news:
Joseph E. Akin, our oldest citizen, passed away Friday, May 26, 1933. The sketch of his life follows:
Jos. Elmer Akin was born at Jamestown, New York, and was married to Miss Lucy M. Clough at Floyd, Iowa, Jan. 1, 1867. They lived at Osage, Iowa, for a time and from there they moved to Cedar Falls, then to Rockwell, Ia., in 1875 and to Madison, S.D., where they lived for three years. Mrs. and Mrs. Akin bought a farm in Sioux county in 1885 where they resided until 1904 when they moved into their town home in Rock Valley.
Mrs. Akin passed away April 13, 1928. Mr. Akin had been well preserved in years for his advanced age of 92 years, 9 months and 12 days when he crossed through the valley of the shadow at 7:45 a.m., Friday. He was an intellectual man.
Five children were born to the union: Mrs. Eva L. Waite, Storm Lake, Ia.; Floy L. Allen, Hawkins, Wis.; and Mrs. Edith L. Fritts of Rock Valley. A son, Willie, passed away at the farm home on August 4, 1888 and another son, Harry M. Akin, died of injuries received in an auto accident March 30, 1914.
Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Burial took place beside the remains of his wife at the Valley View cemetery.
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From the Rock Valley Bee, June 2, 1933:
J. E. AKIN PASSED AWAY FRIDAY
J. E. Akin, one of the pioneer residents of Rock Valley and vicinity, passed away at his home here last Friday morning, following a lingering illness of several months. Mr. Akin was conscious until the last moments. He had been failing gradually for several weeks, part of the time able to sit up, and was up and dressed just a day or two before his death. Being in his 93rd year, he was just worn out.
Mr. Akin has been a familiar person on the streets of Rock Valley for the past many years He was a man of bright intellect, well versed in history and topics of the day and he had decided ideas of his own regarding issues of the times, and loved to discuss them with his friends. He was a well meaning man and always wanted to deal fairly with those who differed from him.
Mr. Akin is survived by three daughters, Mrs. A. J. Fritts, Rock Valley; Mrs. M. C. Waite, Storm Lake, Iowa; and Mrs. H. R. Allen, Hawkins, Wis.; besides a number of other relatives. Mrs. Akin passed away April 13, 1928. One son, Harry Akin, was killed in an automobile accident in April 1914, and another son, William, died in August 1889.
Mr. Akin was born in Jamestown, New York, September 14, 1840, where he grew to manhood, coming to Cedar Falls, Iowa, when he was seventeen years old, where he lived for a few years. He was united in marriage at Floyd, Iowa, with Lucy M. Clough. Five years later he moved back to Cedar Falls, where he resided for three years more, moving from there to Rockwell, Iowa, where the family lived for seven years, and from there moved to Madison, S.D., coming to Sioux county in 1885. They lived on a farm southwest of Rock Valley until 1904, when Mr. and Mrs. Akin moved to Rock Valley.
Funeral services were held at the home in Rock Valley Sunday afternoon. Rev. G. A. Tyler, of the Methodist church, gave the funeral address. The services were largely attended.
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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has him as Akin, J. Elmer, b. 1840, d. 1933, Father, Valley View Cem, Rock Valley IA.
His death certificate has him as Joseph Elmer Akin, widowed, and adds his parents’ names, Joseph Akin and Lecinda Barton, both born in New York state. It gives his wife’s name as Edith (possibly confusing her name with that of his daughter, the informant for the death certificate information). Died in Rock Valley at 8:10 a.m. on May 26, 1933; cause, acute pyelitis (inflammation of the pelvis or outlet of the kidney), onset May 1, 1933; contributory cause, acute purulent cystitis, onset about March 30, 1933.

OBITUARY OF Mrs. Lucy Joseph E. Akin 1845-1928
From the Alton Democrat, April 20, 1928:
LUCY M. AKIN -- ROCK VALLEY PASSES AWAY
WAS EARLY SETTLER IN SIOUX TOWNSHIP
Lucy M. Akin, wife of Mr. J. E. Akin quietly passed away at her home In Rock Valley early Friday morning, April 13, 1928, after an affliction for a long time, although she was not confined to bed for any length of time.
Deceased was born Dec. 21, 1845, at Chelsea, Orange County, Vermont and at the time of her death she was 82 years of age. At the age of 14 she came with her parents to Floyd, Iowa and resided there until after her marriage. She attended school at Osage, la., and taught one term. On January 1, 1867 she was united in marriage to Joseph E. Akin at Floyd and to this union five children were born, two sons and three daughters. Both sons preceded their mother in death. William died in 1888 and Harry died !n 1914.
The family lived In Cedar Falls for a number of years and later moved to Rockwell, la., residing there until 1882, when they moved to Madison, S. D.. in 1882. In 1885 they moved to their farm in Sioux county in the vicinity of Hudson, S. D.. where they resided until 22 years ago when they came to Rock Valley where they made a beautiful home. While they resided near Hudson Mrs. Akin manifested her love in Christ Jesus in a very definite way, by uniting with the Congregational church. When they moved to Rock Valley her membership was transferred to the Methodist church.
Funeral service were held at the home Monday afternoon conducted by Rev. L. F. Focht, pastor of the Methodist church and interment was in Valley View cemetery at Rock Valley.
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From the Rock Valley Bee, April 20, 1928:
Mrs. J. E. Akin Called Suddenly
Mrs. J. E. Akin passed away at her home in Rock Valley at 3:00 o’clock Friday morning. Although she had not been well for the past few weeks her condition was not considered serious. She was up and around as usual the day before her death and sat up a little later than usual that night. Her sudden passing is a great surprise and shock to her relatives and friends.
Mrs. Akin was born at Chelsea, Vermont, December 21, 1845, and had attained the advanced age of eighty-two years, three months and twenty-two days. She lived at Chelsea with her parents until she was about fourteen years old, when the family moved to Floyd, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood. She completed her education at Osage, Iowa, and taught school a term near Floyd.
She was united in marriage with J. E. Akin at Floyd, Iowa, January 1, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Akin then went to Osage, Iowa, where they resided a few years, moving from there to Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1872. Three years later they moved to Rockwell, Iowa, and from there to Madison, S.D., in 1882. In 1885 they moved to Sioux County, and resided on a farm near Hudson until about twenty-three years ago when they moved to Rock Valley.
Mrs. Akin was the mother of five children, two sons and three daughters. The two sons William and Henry preceded their mother in death, the former in 1888 and the latter in 1914. The daughters are Mrs. M. C. Wait, of Storm Lake, Iowa, Mrs. A. J. Fritts, Rock Valley, and Mrs. H. R. Allen, of Hawkins, Wisconsin, all of whom were present at the funeral services, which were held at the home Monday afternoon, and the remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery.
Other relatives from a distance who attended the funeral were M. C. Waite, of Storm Lake, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Fritts, of Dell Rapids, S.D., Kenneth Fritts who is a student at Ames, Iowa and Miss Nina Fritts, who teaches at Manley, Iowa. A number of friends from [the] vicinity were also present. She also leaves her aged husband, nine grandchildren and three great grand children.
She was a woman who was highly esteemed by all who knew her and her many friends extend the most sincere sympathy to the bereaved husband and other relatives.
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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Akin, Lucy, b. 1845 d. 1928, Mother, Mrs. J. Elmer, Valley View Cem Rock Valley IA.
Her death certificate adds her parents, H. L. Clough and Susan Quimby, both born in Vermont; husband Joseph Elmer Akin; died April 13, 1928, cause chronic myocarditis, duration several months; contributory cause rheumatism and chronic nephritis, duration many years.

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