Needham, Michael B., 1866-1941

NEEDHAM, KEOUGH, ABBOTT, DOWNEY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:38

From the LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, January 31, 1941:

M. B. Needham Dies At Spencer
Was Former Resident Of Maurice

Friends in Le Mars were notified Thursday of the death of M. B. Needham, age 75, Tuesday at his home in Spencer where he had lived the past thirteen years. He formerly lived at Charles City and New Hampton and in Maurice, where he was married in 1916, to Annie Keough, who preceded him in death two years ago. He leaves a brother and several nephews and nieces. The funeral will be held Friday at Spencer and the remains brought to Le Mars for interment in St. James cemetery.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate has him as Mike B. Needham, retired real estate dealer; born Aug. 6, 1866 at Garbor, Iowa; parents Bartley Needham and Ellen Abbott, both born in Ireland (informant was Pat Needham of Spencer); died at 1:40 a.m. January 28, 1941; cause, cancer of glands in neck; other conditions, involvement of chest, cancer.

His FindaGrave.com page (Michael B. Needham) shows him buried at Calvary Cemetery, LeMars; gives his father’s forename as Bartholomew; lists four siblings (including Patrick Needham, 1871-1941); and lists two wives, Julia Downey Needham (1861-1915, married 1893) and Anna B. Keough Needham (1871-1939, married 1916). There is a photo of the joint headstone of him and his wife Anna, and a clipping on their wedding (see her obit, posted separately, for a transcription).

Ancestry.com has a copy of his will. He leaves a parcel of farm land, which came to him from his wife Annie, to her brother Tom Keough. He bequeaths the remainder of his estate to his niece, Lucy G. Geno, to be held in trust to provide as necessary for his brother Patrick Needham, and to pass to her upon his death [he died later in 1941]. These provisions made in payment for their services because “they have assisted and helped me in my business affairs.”

In the 1900 census Mike (33) and Julia (35) Needham are farming in Volga Township, Clayton County, Iowa, with two boarders, Edna Every (13) and George Lewis (28); Julia is the mother of 0 children. The 1910 U.S. census shows Michael B. (44) and Julia (46) farming in Washington Township, Chickasaw County, Iowa. Edna (22), presumably the same person as in 1900, is now listed as Edna Needham, their daughter, a public school teacher. Julia is shown as being the mother of 1 child, living.

The Sioux County marriage register for 1915/1916 shows M. B. Needham (49), resident of New Hampton, Iowa, occupation real estate, and Anna Keough (45), resident of Maurice, marrying in St. Marys Church, Maurice, on March 8, 1916; his second marriage, her first.

In 1920 Michael B. (52) and Anna B. (42) Needham are living in Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa, where he is a real estate agent. In 1930 Mickel (63) and Anna B. (59) Needham are living in Spencer, where he is a commercial traveler.