Yates, Thomas 1840-1927

YATES, WIGGINS, SCHUTT, HUNSAKER

Posted By: Leslie Brondsema (email)
Date: 2/24/2017 at 14:41:26

Hawarden Independent February 17, 1927
Thomas Yates Died Suddenly in Denver Saturday
Aged Hawarden Citizen Stricken While Visiting at the Home of His Daughter in the West

Thos. Yates, a native of England but for forty-six years a resident of Sioux county, died very suddenly Saturday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Schutt, in Denver, Colo, from heart failure. Mr. Yates left Hawarden for Denver only a week prior to his death. Though in gradually failing health for a number of years there was nothing to indicate that the end was near and his death came as a severe shock to the members of his family and friends. He had been up and partaken of breakfast as usual Saturday morning. Later he went to his room while his daughter was busy with her housework. During the forenoon she called to him and asked if he would like a cup of tea to which he responded in the affirmative. When he did not appear in a few minutes she went to his room and found him sitting on the edge of the bed and endeavoring to lace his shoes. She noticed that his face appeared very pale and inquired if he felt ill but he responded that he did not. Then suddenly he crumpled back on the bed and spoke no more. Mrs. Schutt immediately summoned a physician but his earthly spirit had departed.
Accompanied by Mrs. Schutt, the body arrived in Hawarden Monday afternoon and was taken to the Ross Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at 2:30 Tuesday afternoon at the Associated church, conducted by Rev. Joel E. Bruner, pastor of the Baptist church. Interment was made beside the grave of his wife in Grace Hill century. The Masonic order, of which Mr. Yates had long been an honored member, had charge of the service (rest of line unreadable).
Thos. Yates was born in Severnstock, Gloucestershire, England, Feb. 4, 1840 and died at Denver, Colo., Feb. 12 1927, at the age of 78 years and 8 days. He came to America in 1871 and went directly to Cleveland, Ohio, where on April 27th of that year he was united in marriage with Katherine Wiggins. He remained In Cleveland only three months and then came west, locating In Tama county, Iowa, where he remained for five years, moving from there to Carroll county in 1876. In 1881 he brought his family to Sioux county and they located on a farm in Center township, north of Ireton, where they lived for nearly twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Yates left the farm in 1900, moving to Hawarden, and his home has since been in this city. Mrs. Yates passed away April 26, 1922.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Yates, seven of whom are still living. One son, William Yates, died Nov. 28, 1926, and is buried here. The surviving children are Charles F. Yates of Sanborn, Iowa; Mrs. C. H. Schutt of Fairmont, N. D.; Jas. Yates of Ireton; Mrs. Elizabeth Schutt of Denver, Colo.; Ernest Yates of Hawarden; Mrs. L. A. Hunsaker of Burke, S. D.; and Thos. E. Yates of Hawarden. All of the children were here to attend the funeral. He is also survived by one sister, Ellen Jerome of London, England, besides & large number of grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.
Thos. Yates was a man of high principles, strict integrity, kindly and sympathetic and during his long residence in this community won the admiration and friendship of all with whom he came in contact. He practiced the Golden Rule in his daily life and by his example of righteous living made his life count as a potent influence for good in the communities in which he lived. Many outside the family circle will mourn the loss of this splendid neighbor and friend.