Thayer, Wilton E. “Will,” 1850-1926

THAYER, WEBB, CASWELL

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:33

From the Rock Valley Bee, January 8, 1926:

FORMER RESIDENT DEAD

The remains of Wilton Thayer, a former resident of Rock Valley, were brought here for burial last Friday. Short funeral services were held at the James Walpole home Friday and the remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery for burial.

Mr. Thayer died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Otto Strange, at Osage, Iowa. He was born at Coldwater, Michigan, July 31, 1850, and was seventy-five years and six months old at the time of his death. His early life was spent in Michigan. When he was nineteen years old he came to Sioux County and lived around Rock Valley for a number of years. He also spent several years in Oklahoma, and for a time resided near Sheldon.

He leaves one daughter, Mrs. Otto Strange, of Osage, Iowa, and one sister, Mrs. Work, of Boyden, Iowa.

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From the Alton Democrat, January 8, 1926, Rock Valley news:

Wilton Thayer, a former resident of Rock Valley, was brought to Rock Valley Saturday for burial from Osage, Iowa. Funeral services took place at the James Walpole home, conducted by Rev. W. C. Bergman of the M. E. church. Burial took place in the Valley View cemetery on the family lot. The deceased will be remembered as a brother of Edward Thayer Sr., who passed away three years ago this past summer. It is understood by the writer that this is the last member of the original Thayer family.

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From the Alton Democrat, January 8, 1926, Boyden news:

WILL THAYER LAID TO REST AT VALLEY

Mrs. Work, who was visiting friends here the early part of the week, was called to the home of her niece, Mrs. Otto Stange, by the serious illness of Will Thayer, her only brother. Mrs. Work went east Thursday but Mr. Thayer had passed away before she reached him. The body was brought to Rock Valley Saturday and laid to rest beside his wife and children who preceded him many years. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Otto Stange, and the one sister, several nieces and nephews, who have the sympathy of their many friends in this vicinity.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate has him as Wilton E. Thayer; born July 31, 1850 in Michigan; parents Jno C. Thayer, born Ohio, and Martha Webb, born New York; wife Maggie Caswell Thayer; occupation, retired carpenter; informant, Verna Work, Sanborn, Iowa; died January 1, 1926, about 2 A.M., at Osage, Iowa, where he had resided for 4 months; cause, organic heart disease, duration "probably several years"; buried at Rock Valley, Jan. 4, 1926.

FindaGrave.com says he married Margaret “Maggie” (Caswell) Thayer on 01 Jan 1875 in Genesea, Tama County, Iowa; gives his parents as John Caleb Thayer (1818-1894) and Martha J. Webb Thayer (1824-1907); and lists three siblings: Adelbert Thayer (1853-1900), Edward S. Thayer (1858-1922), and Verna Cora Thayer Work (1863-1936).