Hales, Mrs.John P. D. (Parker Dodds)

WATKINS, PAYNE, MIZE, CHADWICK, COURTNEY, ARMSTRONG, SHEETS, BUTLER

Posted By: Charles E. Hales (email)
Date: 7/31/2003 at 23:26:02

Mrs. John P. D. Hales
1861-1934
Margaret Watkins, eldest child of John and Anne Watkins was born at Beaconshire, South Wales on Nov. 1, 1861. At the age of 19 she came to America with her parents and brothers and sisters and located near Keosauqua, Iowa.
On Oct. 1 1884 she married John P. D. Hales (John Parker Dodds Hales) and together they lived on the farm where she passed away.
To them were born three children, Mrs. Eunice Payne of Excelsior Springs, Mo., Mrs. Willa Mize and Ralph Hales of Vernon Prairie.
In the spring of 1924 they moved to Bonaparte where Mr. Hales passed away on August 23, 1928. She continued her home in Bonaparte but when ill health overtook her she was desirous of being out on the farm "at home" where she was tenderly cared for by the son and wife until she passed peacefully away on May 23, 1934, aged 72 years, 6 months and 5 days.
She leaves to mourn her passing the three children and their companions and four grandchildren. She also leaves four sisters and three brothers; John E. Watkins and Mrs. Mary Chadwick of Bonner Springs, Kansas, Jesse and David Watkins of Bonaparte, Mrs. Kezia Courtney of Backus, Minn., and Mrs. Gwen Armstrong and Mrs. Rose Sheets of Mt. Sterling.
She and her husband were pioneer members of Story Chapel but transferred their membership to Bonaparte after moving there.
Mrs. Hales was a home loving wife, a devoted mother , a kind neighbor and will be missed by all.
Funeral services were conducted at Center Chapel on Friday May 25, by Rev Harvey E. Butler, a former pastor, after which the body was laid to rest beside that of her husband in Center Chapel cemetery.
This was my grandmother who died on the family farm where I was born.