John Parker Dodds Hales 1856-1928

HALES, WATSON, WATKINS, PAYNE, MIZE, BURTON, ELLER, SAMP

Posted By: Charles E. Hales (email)
Date: 8/2/2003 at 20:33:41

JOHN P. D. HALES

John Parker Dodds Hales, son of Thomas and Sarah Watson Hales, was born in Carroll County, Ohio, Feb. 8, 1856, and passed away at his home in Bonaparte, Iowa Aug. 23, 1928 at the 72 years, 6 months and 14 days.
At the age of eight years he moved with his parents from Ohio to Van Buren County, Iowa, locating on Vernon Prairie. Oct. 1, 1884 he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Watkins. To this union were born three children, Eunice Omie Payne of Excelsior Springs, Mo; Willa Mize of Mt Sterling; and Ralph W. Hales of Mt. Sterling. Besides the wife and children he leaves to mourn their loss, three grandsons, Stanley Hales Payne, Dale D. Mize and Charles Eugene Hales. Also two sisters, Mrs. L. J. Burton of Los Angeles, Calif., and Mrs. Josephine Eller of Imperial, Neb. Three brothers and three sisters preceded him in death.
John Hales, as he was familiarly called, was converted and united with M. E. church in 1890, in meetings then held at Ward’s school house. Later when Story Chapel was built, he and his wife were faithful members, bringing their membership with them to the Methodist church of Bonaparte when they moved to this town April 14, 1924.
Mr. Hales’s life was spent for the most part on Vernon Prairie; he was devoted to his family and his farm, ever busy and happy, a good neighbor and friend. But his greatest enjoyment was in the study of the Scriptures and in the services of the church, never missing an opportunity when his health would permit, of being in attendance. "His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."
Funeral services were held at two o’clock on Friday afternoon at Story Chapel, Rev Samp officiating. A short service was held at the late home in Bonaparte beginning at one o’clock.

Burial was at the Center Chapel Cemetery near his parents and other family members.
Source is the Bonaparte paper called Van Buren Record?