Thomas Elmer Mort 1872-1914

MORT, TEAL

Posted By: Karen DaPra (email)
Date: 10/8/2002 at 12:27:40

OBITUARY OF ELMER MORT

Thomas Elmer Mort was born February 21, 1872, and departed this life at Keosauqua, Iowa, Apr. 11, 1914, being 42 years 1 month and 20 days old at the time of his death. Mr. Mort was born in Page County, Iowa. When about 11 years old his mother died, and shortly thereafter his father and family came to this county, where the decedent has lived since, except for a few months in Oklahoma in search of health. On April 21, 1897 he was married to Addie Teal of near Utica, Iowa, who survived him. To this union were born two children, Leo, aged fifteen, and Maude, aged eight years. On Christmas day 1907, Mr. Mort and his brother-in-law J. H. Teal, were out hunting and the gun carried by him was accidently discharged and the load struck Mr. Teal in the ankle. The shock from this accident was so great to the nervous system that, within a few days, he was so nervous that he was unable to do any work, and has gradually grown worse since that time. On or about September, 1913, he was compelled to take his bed and has been an invalid ever since. During all his sickness he wa a patient sufferer, never uttering a word of complaint, and retained great hope for his recovery until within a few days of his death. In 1912 he was elected county recorder, but was never able to take up active control of the office. In addition to his wife and two children, he leaves to mourn his death his father, step-mother, three sisters and one brother and many other relatives and also a host of admiring friends and neighbors. He was a member of the Methodist church and of the Independent order of Odd Fellows, and was also a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. Brief funeral services were held at the residence Sunday, April 12 at 10:30 a.m. in charge of Rev. Behrens from whence the body was taken to the Miller Chapel near the birthplace of Mrs. Mort, where the services were held in the church, conducted by Rev. Bowles of Stockport, following which the body was buried in hands of Odd Fellows in the church cemetery.

(Photocopy of this obit is located on page 123 of Obit Book A found in the Van Buren County, IA Genealogical Society's collection at the Keosauqua Public Library in Sept 2000. Name of newspaper and date of obit not given.)

NOTE: Was Elmer the son of William Mort and Unknown? Did he have a sister who married Floy Kerr? William married again in 1886 to Sarah Peacock (her obituary found elsewhere on this forum). I need further details on the family, please e-mail me. Karen DaPra.

[Original Post 08 Oct 2000]