James St. Clair Will (1818-1911)

WILL, HEAVNER, BERLIN, BOWEN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:12

From Nevada Representative June 2, 1911 (page 1)

OBITUARY

JAMES S. WILL

Maxwell Tribune: Story county lost another pioneer when James St. Clair Will passed away last Saturday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Jesse Bowen, in this place, with whom he had made his home ever since coming to Maxwell in 1884. He had been an invalid for nearly thirty years of his life he was unable to leave the house.

James St. Clair Will was born in New Market, Shenandoah county, Virginia, June 13, 1818, and died May 27, 1911 at 2:30 a.m., aged ninety-two years, eleven months and fourteen days.

He was married to Miss Lavina Heavener in February, 1844. His wife died in March, 1850. His second marriage was to Kate Berlin in the latter part of 1851. The second wife died in 1870.

By his first wife, there were two children, John W. and Mary Ellen. John W. Will died in 1909 and was buried at Iowa Center. Mary Ellen is the wife of Jesse Bowen, of this place.

By his second wife, there were seven children, four of whom died in infancy; three living, namely Dr. Frederick J. Will, of Des Moines; Arthur Lee Will, of Salina, Kansas and Dr. Harry C. Will, of Chicago.

James St. Clair will was the son of John Henry Will and grandson of Henry Will who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.

Mr. Will came to Iowa in 1857, locating at Iowa Center where he resided until 1884, when he came to Maxwell and opened a tailor shop, remaining in the business until old age and infirmities made it impossible for him to follow his trade.

He was for many years a member of the Episcopal church and after the discontinuance of services in the church at Iowa Center, connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a man of strong character and always ready and willing to aid his friends.

The funeral was held from the home of Jesse Bowen, his son-in-law Monday morning, May 29th.

Those from out of town in attendance at the funeral were: Dr. H. C. Will of Chicago; Dr. F. J. Will of Des Moines; L. A. Will, of Salina, Kansas, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Will, Miss Ina Will and Mrs. Geo. F. Thayer, of Marshalltown; Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Drybread; Mrs. Lydia Lockridge and J. Worsley, of Nevada; Mrs. B. F. Keltz, of Webster City, and Mrs. H. F. Rough, of Coon Rapids.