Vail, William Edward 1874-1940

VAIL, SCHUNNDLACK, VANWINKLE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/15/2022 at 08:05:44

From the Rock Valley Bee, January 3, 1941:

DEATH CALLS WM. E. VAIL AT FAIRVIEW
Former Local Barber Passes Away At Fairview

William Edward Vail, barber at Rock Valley for many years, died 15 minutes before midnight on last Friday, December 27, lacking those few minutes of reaching his 66th birthday.

He was born December 28, 1874, at Fredricksburg, Iowa, and grew to manhood in that vicinity. He married Miss Anna Laura Schmeidlock there on October 25, 1899. This union was blessed with five children—the oldest boy Lemi of Clarkston, Washington. The other surviving children are Harry of Sioux Falls; Mrs. Joe Bagsby of Sioux Falls; Mrs. Joe Oldenkamp of Rock Valley; and Mrs. Clifford Johnson of Fairview.

Mr. Vail had made his home at Fairview for the past twelve years and was in the best of health until just over a year ago when he suffered a heart attack from which he never fully recovered.

The many friends of the family at Rock Valley where they resided for so many years extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved children. Their mother died a number of years ago.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His FindaGrave.com page shows him born September 1874 at Independence, Hennepin County, Minnesota; died 27 Dec 1940 at Fairview, Lincoln County, South Dakota; buried in Bethany Cemetery, Fairview. Parents William Henry Vail (1847-1933) and Francis Ellen Van Winkle Vail (1851-1935). Five siblings listed. Wife Anna Laura Schunndlack Vail (1878-1946, married 1899). One child listed: Lemi William Vail (1900-1952). There is a photo of his headstone.

The Chickasaw County, Iowa marriage register for 1899 has groom William Edward Vail, age 25, resident of Fredericksburg, a farmer, born there, parents Wm. N.[?] Vail and Francis Evanswincle; bride Anna Laura Schunndlack, age 21, resident of Fredericksburg, born there, parents Fred Schunndlack and Terrie Gitch; married in Fredericksburg October 25, 1899.

The 1930 U.S. census for Fairview shows him working as a barber, but with no occupation in 1940.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1918) gives his birth date as December 28, 1875; resident of Rock Valley, where he is a self-employed barber; wife Anna L Vail; tall, medium build, blue eyes, black hair; has lost an eye.