Harding Daniel Witmer (1861-1939)

WITMER, WHITNEY, HOSTETTLER, YOUNG, OLINGER, WIDELL, SCHARF, KENDIG

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 6/28/2005 at 05:22:45

WITMER, HARDING DANIEL (1861-1939)

MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, July 17, 1939. "FINAL RITES FOR MAXWELL PIONEER Funeral services for Harding D. Witmer were held at the farm home south of Maxwell Thursday afternoon at 2:30. Rev. Judson T. Perkins pastor of the Methodist church at Maxwell was in charge of the rites. Everett Kahl of Nevada sang "The Old Rugged Cross" and "In the Garden." The floral offerings were profuse and were arranged and carried by Mrs. Forest Cooper, Mrs. Albert Dykstra and Miss Alta Young. Pallbearers were the grandsons Luvern Witmer, Carol and Merrill Witmer, Marion Gearhart, Richard Green and Everett Kahl. The Pastor read the following obituary: "Harding Daniel Witmer, son of Daniel R. and Mary Witmer, was born in Lancaster, Pa., on Nov 26, 1861, and died at his home south of Maxwell on July 11, 1939, aged 77 years 7 months and 15 days. For several years the condition of Mr. Witmer's health has been such as to prevent him from doing any work on the farm. His had been a very active life. "When he was about eight years old he came with his parents to Iowa, settling at Greencastle. They loved (correct transcription) there for about four years and then moved to a farm near Mingo where he lived until his marriage. On March 15, 1887, he was united in marriage at Mingo to Jennie Whitney. The young couple took a farm near Farrar where they lived for four years. They then purchased the farm south of Maxwell where they have lived for the last 48 years. Six children, three sons and three daughters, came to bless their home. "Mr. Witmer has been a member of the local Methodist church for many years. He was a kind and loving husband and father and was held in high esteem by his neighbors and all who knew him. "Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Jennie Witmer, three sons Archie, Frank and Harland all of Maxwell; three daughters, Mrs. Harvey (Vera) Hostettler and Mrs. Hazel Young both of Maxwell and Mrs. James (Gladys) Olinger of Nevada; two brothers, John Witmer of Collins and Earl Witmer of Newton; three sisters, Mrs. Will Widell and Mrs. Will Scharf both of Newton and Mrs. Flora Kendig of Collins; nine grandchildren and one great grandchild, Nancy Ann Kahl of Nevada. Many other relatives and a large circle of friends also mourn his death. Burial was made in the Maxwell cemetery."

Nevada Public Library obituary file, Nevada, Iowa, AMES MILEPOST, July 1939. “HARDING WITMER. – Harding Witmer, 77, pioneer of the Maxwell community, died at the farm home where he had lived for 48 years, Tuesday afternoon. The home is southwest of Maxwell about two miles, and three sons live on farms adjacent. Mr. Witmer was one of the prominent farmers of the community for many years, leaves his wife, three daughters and three sons. The daughters are Mrs. Vera Hostetter and Mrs. Hazel Young of Maxwell and Mrs. Glady Olinger of Nevada; while the sons are Archie, Frank and Harlan, all of the Maxwell community. He also leaves nine grandchildren and one great grandchild, little Nancy Ann Kahl of Nevada.”

BURIAL: Iowa Historical Library Des Moines, Iowa Vol. IX GRAVE MARKER INSCRIPTIONS, INDIAN CREEK TOWNSHIP, INC. CITY OF MAXWELL STORY COUNTY, Iowa Pages 463 Maxwell Municipal Cemetery, row 20, plots 12, 13 & 14, father Harding D. WITMER 1861 - 1939; mother Jennie M. WHITMER 1868 - 1956.