Karr, Alexander Scott 1856-1938 & Elmira McLaughlin Family

KARR, KLINGESMITH, MCLAUGHLIN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/19/2023 at 07:19:31

Karr, Alexander Scott 1856-1938 & Elmira McLaughlin Family

This story was taken from page 421 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added.

Alexander Scott Karr was born on Mar. 4, 1856 to John and Mary (Klinglesmith) Karr in Coshocton, Ohio. At an early age he moved with his parents to Paxton, Il.

A.S. Karr came by train to LeMars, Ia. in the summer of 1881. He traveled by horse and wagon to Sioux Co., purchasing the SE quarter of Sec. #1, Eagle Twp. Upon returning to Paxton, he was united in marriage to Elmira McLaughlin on Sept. 6, 1881. In Feb. 1882, he left alone by team and wagon and arrived in Orange City in Mar. He purchased enough lumber from Orange City and Calliope to construct a building for living quarters. After a few weeks his bride joined him.

Scott Karr was a member of the first organized school board in Eagle Twp. He also was the assessor for that township. He helped organize and establish, and was therefore a charter member of the United Presbyterian Church. The church building is still standing in Ireton and the Boyer’s Pump Service occupies it. In 1900 he sold the farm in Eagle Twp. and purchased the land two miles north of Ireton, at the corner of Highways #10 and #231.

To this union were born six children: Randall, Edward, Orville, Arthur, Mabel (Mrs. Herbert Ericson), and Alvin. See the separate BIOS of son John ‘Randall’ Karr family.

RESEARCH NOTES: added by Wilma J. Vande Berg
Family report on ancestry.com public member trees done by other family.

Alexander Scott Karr born 4 Mar 1856 Coshocton, OH died 9 Nov 1938 Ireton IA, in the home of son Alvin. He was the son of John W. Karr 1826-1910 and Mary Sophrona Klingesmith 1821-1876. He was married 6 Sep 1881 Sullivan County, MO to Elmira McLaughlin.

Elmira McLaughlin was born 23 May 1853 Coshocton Co. OH died 20 Mar 1926 Ireton IA.
Identity of Elmira’s parents, found in the 1860 and 1900 census, the family of John McLaughlin born abt Oct 1825 PA and wife Edith born abt 1834 OH, they were living in Sullivan MO, location of Elmira’s marriage. Elmira was 8 years old in 1860.

CHILDREN:
1 . John Randall Karr 1882-1962 See the Bios of Randall John Karr separately on this site. He was born September 6, 1882, Married Mary Mamie Johnson Feb 3, 1909, they had six sons – Lyman, Leland, Thurlow, Westron, Kenyon, and Hollis.

2 , Edward Karr 1883-1955 From the Thursday, February 3, 1955 Hawarden Independent: Edward C. Karr Dies at Age 71 Ireton, Iowa — Edward C. Karr, 71, who for many years was in the insurance business here, died Sunday afternoon at Friendship Haven at Fort Dodge, Iowa. He had been in poor health for a long time. Sunset services were held Monday evening in the chapel at Friendship Haven. Tuesday morning graveside services were held at the Ireton cemetery. A son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Scott Karr, he was born November 22, 1883, at Ireton, where he spent most of his life. He never married. He was a member of the Methodist church at Ireton and for many years served as financial secretary. As his health began to fail, he went to Friendship Haven three and a half years ago. He is survived by one sister, Mrs. Herbert Ericson of Des Moines; two brothers, Alvin and Randall Karr of Ireton and several nieces and nephews.

3 . Orville Karr 1888-1905 Source: Ireton Weekly Ledger (3-17-1905) Born: August 29, 1888
Died: 1905 Orville Karr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander S.and Elmira (McLaughlin) Karr, departed this life last Friday and was buried Saturday. The cause of death was scarlet fever and erysipelas. On account of the contagious disease with which he died no funeral was held, simply a prayer and reading of scripture by Dr. H.P. Wallace at the grave and the remains of him who was dearly loved by relatives, friends and schoolmates was lowered to their resting place in the presence only of the family and a few others. The family is now quarantined and as soon as the quarantine is lifted public memorial services will be held in honor of the young man. Orville Karr was born August 29, 1888, at the home farm north of Ireton where he passed away. At the age of twelve years he became a member of the United Presbyterian Church and has always lived an honorable and upright life. The parents have the sympathy of all in their sad loss.

4 . Arthur Karr Harry Arthur was born 17 Jul 1891 Ireton IA. Find A Grave lists his death date as 18 Jul 1950 Des Moines IA . He was married to Helen C. Boeker. Another source has wife as Helen Macheam.

5 . Mabel Karr (Mrs. Herbert Ericson) From a family report on ancestry.com public member trees. Mabel Edith Karr born 5 Jan 1894 Ireton Iowa died 13 Feb 1981 Des Moines IA. She married Herbert Arthur Ericson born 3 Apr 1894 Big Springs SD, died 1 Sep 1984 Des Moines IA . Three children indicated one identified at Herbert Arthur Ericson 1920-2000 the other two listed as private.

6 . Alvin Karr 1895-1969 Funeral services were held at the Dow Funeral Chapel in Ireton at 2 P.M., Saturday, March 8, for Alvin S. Karr, 73, formerly of Ireton, who died at McAllen, Tex., March 4. Burial was made in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Ireton. Mr. Karr was born October 14, 1895, and was married to Ivadel Woodward Coghlin, February 12, 1928, at Algona. He farmed in the Ireton area for many years, later moving to LeMars. About six years ago he moved to Texas. Survivors include the widow, a daughter, Mrs. Dale Duckett of Minneapolis; a son, Robert, of Chicago; a sister, Mrs. Mabel Ericson of Des Moines; three grandchildren. Parents: Alexander Karr & Elmira McLaughlin from the IA 1925 Census Record. Source: Sioux Center News, March 13, 1969

OBITUARY OF ALEXANDER SCOTT KARR
Source: Hawarden Independent (11-10-1938)
Born: March 4, 1856 Died: November 9, 1938
With the death of A. S. Karr last Wednesday afternoon, November 2nd, we are again called upon to chronicle the life of a citizen who spent more than half a century in this community. Although he had not been in good health, his death was unexpected as he seemed to be about as usual last Wednesday morning and preparations were being made for him to go to Des Moines to spend the winter with his daughter, Mrs. H. A. Ericson and family. A little after the noon hour Reverend and Mrs. C.W. Tompkins of Rock Rapids visited him and had prayer with him. Later in the afternoon the death angel came and he passed to his reward at the home of his son, Alvin Karr.
Funeral services were held from the Alvin Karr home at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon and from the Methodist Church at 2:30, with Reverend I.C. McNulty, the pastor, in charge, while Reverend C.W. Tompkins of Rock Rapids, a former minister here, preached the funeral sermon. The text taken was Proverbs 22-1: “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” and from St. John 14: 1-4: “Let not your heart be troubled” and so forth. A beautiful eulogy was spoken. A quartette composed of Mrs. Darlene Kluter, Mrs. Henry Poll, B.T. Bayand, W.F. Brown, with Mrs. Art Bartlett at the piano, sang favorite songs of the deceased and Mrs. Poll and Mrs. Kluter very beautifully sang “Abide With Me.” The pall bearers were grandsons, Hollis M., Leland, Thurlow, Lyman, Weston and Kenyon Karr and Herbert A. Ericson Jr. Short services were held at the grave and he was laid to rest beside his wife who preceded him in death a few years. The floral tributes were many and beautiful.
Alexander S. Karr was born March 4, 1856, in Coshocton County, Ohio, the fourth son of John and Mary Karr and passed away at the home of his son, Alvin, north of Ireton, November 2, 1938, at the age of 82 years, 6 months and 28 days.
When he was two years old his parents moved to Indiana and six years later the family moved to Paxton, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. His education was received in the local schools and in what is now Valparaiso University, Indiana. He taught school near Fairbury, Nebraska, after finishing his education.
On September 6, 1881, he was united in marriage with Elmira McLaughlin at Paxton, Illinois. In the spring of 1882, he came to Sioux County and brought a farm in Eagle township, seven miles northwest of Ireton. Here he established his home, going through the experiences of a true pioneer. During this first summer here, the Chicago & North Western Railway was built through this territory and the beginning of the town of Ireton started.
He was a member of the first school board of this township, serving as treasurer, and was also the first assessor. He helped establish the church of his childhood faith, the United Presbyterian Church in Ireton, and served as ruling elder for many years until the church passed out of existence. Then he transferred his membership to the Methodist Episcopal Church, where he was honored and held the position of trustee and steward for several years.
In 1901 he sold his farm and brought two miles north of Ireton, where he lived until 1910, when he moved to town into the home he occupied until his illness this past summer when he was taken back to the home farm where his son Alvin resides.
His wife died on March 20, 1926, and one son, Orville A., died on March 10, 1905. The surviving children are J. R., Edward C. and Alvin S. of Ireton, H.A. Karr and Mrs. H.A. Ericson of Des Moines, Iowa. He had twelve grandchildren and is also survived by one brother, G.W. Karr of Paxton, Illinois, and one sister, Mrs. James Taylor of Grand Island, Nebraska, and two step-sisters, Mrs. Lena Merrit and Miss Alice Simmons of Hastings, Nebraska.
Mr. Karr was a man among men, with principles and character and uprightness and honor was his aim and purpose in life. Quiet and unassuming, yet his ideas of the noblest and best were felt and left impressions on those about him. Called to his eternal home, yet his life lived nobly and well, he will continue to live in the memory of his children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. The entire community expresses its sympathy to the bereaved ones.
Relatives and friends from away attending the funeral were: G.W. Karr of Paxton, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. James Taylor, Grand Island, Nebraska; Miss Alice Simmons, Hastings, Nebraska; R.S. Karr, Peoria, Illinois; Mr. and Mrs. L.E. Vercoe, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Mrs. Ethel Caldwell, Brookings, South Dakota; Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Dugan and Lois of Dysart, Iowa; H.R. McLaughlin, Mr. and Mrs. Otis McLaughlin and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin McLaughlin of Milford, Iowa; and Mr. and Mrs. Don J. Mertz of Cherokee, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Grover Heideman of Colton, South Dakota; and Mrs. W.J. Taylor.

OBITUARY OF ELMIRA KARR
Source: Hawarden Independent (3-18-1926)
Born: May 23, 1853 Died: 1926
Mrs. Alexander Scott Karr passed away at her home early Saturday morning following a lingering illness. She had been failing in health for the past nineteen years. Funeral services were held from the Methodist Church Tuesday afternoon with Reverend William P. Webb in charge, The remains were laid to rest in the family lot in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Elmira McLaughlin was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, May 23, 1853, and so she was past 73 years of age at the time of her death. At. The age of five years her parents moved to Sullivan County, Missouri, where she grew to womanhood. September 6, 1881, she was united in marriage with Alexander Scott Karr at Paxton, Illinois. The following spring they came to Sioux County, locating on a farm seven miles northwest of what is now Ireton, being among the earliest settlers of this locality. Here they built their home and resided until 1901 when they moved onto a farm two miles north of Ireton. In the spring of 1910 they retired and have since made their home in Ireton. Mrs. Karr united with the United Presbyterian Church in 1884, shortly after its organization and remained a member until the church was discontinued a few years ago, when she transferred her membership to the Methodist Church, remaining with them until her passing. She was always active in church work, taking part in all organizations connected with the church. In the early days when neighbors were far apart and help hard to reach she was always ready to lend a helping hand in sickness and trouble. She was also keenly interested in any progressive undertaking of the community, being especially interested in her connection with the Ladies Auxiliary to the American Legion. Her family was all present at her bedside where she had called them, laying her hand on each and calling them by name as the end drew near.
She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, with whom she journeyed forty-four years, four sons and one daughter: J.R., Edward C. and Alvin S. Carr, all of Ireton; H.A. Karr of Oak Park, Illinois, and Mrs. H.A. Ericson of Thompson, Iowa. One son, Orville, died in 1905 at the age of sixteen. She also leaves one brother, S. H. McLaughlin of East St. Louis, Illinois, and one sister, Mrs. Joe Hunsaker of Green City, Missouri. She is also survived by seven grandsons and many other relatives and a host of friends.

This picture was on page 421 of the Ireton Centennial book. The two people in the back are Kate smith Crouse and George who were hired help. Alexander Scott Karr family in front.

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