Akin, Joseph Elmer, 1840-1933

AKIN, CLOUGH, BARTON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:37

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.