WHITMORE, Flora Atilda: 1869-1948

WHITMORE, SCHMIDT, GREENFIELD, OVERSTREET, BUGEON

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 3/23/2014 at 08:19:07

FLORA ATILDA WHITMORE

Flora Atilde Schmidt, daughter of Christian and Eva Schmidt, was born March 24, 1869, on the old Schmidt farm, north of Bonaparte and passed away at her home in Bonaparte November 9, 1948, aged 79 years, 7 months, and 15 days.

She grew to womanhood in her home community, getting her education in the public schools. On June 25, 1894 she was united in marriage to Gerry E. Whitmore in Bonaparte, Iowa. Six children were born to this union, four daughters and two sons, one daughter dying in infancy.

She, with her parents, were members of the German Methodist Church, which stood in the vicinity of the Steinmeyer cemetery. They attended services in this church when weather permitted, fording the river or crossing by ferry. Later she was affiliated with the Bonaparte Methodist Church, an active worker in church and Sunday school. In her girlhood days her home was often a stopping place for German Methodist preachers, and services were often held in her father's home.

Because of the miraculous healing of a daughter through Christian Science her interest was drawn to that religion. She became a member of the Christian Science church in Fairfield, later transferring in to Oak Park church in Oak Park, Chicago. At the time of her passing her membership was in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston, Mass.

Much of her life has been lived near Bonaparte. In June 1898, the family moved to Keosauqua, remaining there until the fall of 1904, when they moved to Fairfield, to take advantage of the schools of that city. In 1919 the family moved to Oak Park, Ill., which was their home for the next 23 years. In January 1942 Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore returned to Bonaparte, which has since been her home.

She is survived by her husband, three daughters, Mrs. Marie Greenfield of Selma, Iowa, Mrs. Winifred Overstreet, and Mrs. Eveline Bugeon of Chicago, Ill., and two sons, Roscoe E., of Princeton, Minn., and Hazard C., of Council Bluffs, Iowa. There are also nine grandchildren, and five great grand children.

Besides these 'a host of friends', as the expression often used, does not tell the story. Mrs. Whitmore made deeply personal friends among all who knew her. Her hearty handshake, and warm personal greeting will long be remembered by all who knew her.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, Nov. 11, at 2:00 from the Bonaparte Methodist Church, with the Rev. J.S. Ellis officiating. Interment in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Keosauqua.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, Page 140