WHITMORE, Herbert Leavitt (Judge) 1872-1955

WHITMORE, LEAVITT, SCHMIDT, HITSMAN

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 3/25/2014 at 11:57:00

H. L. WHITMORE

Herbert Leavitt (Judge) Whitmore was born June 27, 1872, on the farm and in the same home, north of Bonaparte, where he passed away on October 16, 1955, at the age of eighty-three years, three months and nineteen days.

He was the second son of Hazard A. and Lydia Leavitt Whitmore. Excepting four years of his early childhood when the parents lived in the vicinity of Centerville, Ia., his whole life was spent in the neighborhood where he was born.

He was educated in the country school northeast of Bonaparte, being one of the little folks who attended school in the old pioneer log house, which was replaced by a more modern frame building.

He attended the Bonaparte high school, but circumstances made it necessary for him to discontinue his studies only about six weeks before his graduation date. Later he attended the Central University of Iowa at Pella, which is now known as Central College.

On December 31, 1901, he was united in marriage with Nella Ida Schmidt, daughter of Christian and Eva Schmidt. He is survived by his widow, Nella Whitmore; two sons, William of Ottumwa, Ia., Weldon of Detroit, Mich.; and one daughter, Mrs. Thelma Hitsman of Kansas City, Kan. Also nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, MaBell Maurine.

He followed farming all of his active life, always in this vicinity. In the year 1932, he took over the old home farm where he used modern methods of farming, including contour plowing and plowing and terracing.

He led an exemplary Christian life and was a loved and respected neighbor. He acquired the nickname of “Judge” while a boy in school, a name by which he was always known by his friends. His church membership was Methodist.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 19, at 2:00 p.m. in the Methodist church. Rev. Dick Eis officiating, with burial in the Bonaparte cemetery.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, page 141