John Conrad Belcher (1850-1918)

BELCHER, SHEARER, BLOOMFIELD, COBB, POINTER, WHITINGER

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 5/21/2005 at 08:10:12

THE MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, August 15, 1918. "OBITUARY - John Conrad Belcher, son of John C. and Mary Belcher, was born in Buchanan county, Illinois, July 7, 1850. He was the fifth child of a family of thirteen children. He came to Iowa with his parents when a small child and settled near Iowa Center, where shortly his father died, leaving his mother with the family of small children. He grew to manhood at the old home farm near Iowa Center and on July 27, 1871, he was united in marriage with Mary M. Shearer.** To this union two daughters were born, Mrs. Minnie E. Bloomfield, of Maxwell, Iowa, and Mrs. Effie A. Cobb, of Netawaka, Kans. He also reared one foster son, Harvey L. Pointer, of Rhodes, Iowa, whom, together with a loving wife, twelve grand children and five great grand children, mourn the loss of a loving husband, father and grandfather. He also leaves two brothers, William and Frank, of Iowa Center, and one sister, Mrs. Mintie Whitinger, of Riceville, Iowa. In February of 1876 he moved to the farm, two miles west of Collins, where he spent forty-two year of his life. In November, 1913, he moved to Collins, where he resided until his death occurred August 7, 1918, his age being sixty-eight years and one month. The funeral was held at the M. E. church in Collins, Friday afternoon, August 9, 1918, at 2:30, and by his request, was conducted by Rev. D. C. Busenburg, of Iowa Center, after which burial took place in the Collins cemetery." **Editorial note - The obituary of John's brother, Edward Belcher, states that Edward married a Mary F. Shearer, October 5, 1870 in Indianapolis, Indiana and had one son.