Updegraff, William B. 1822 – 1899

UPDEGRAFF, SHEAR, SIMMONS, KINSEY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:45

Source: Decorah Republican May 25, 1899 P 2 C 2

THE WORK OF THE REAPER.
WILLIAM B. UPDEGRAFF.
After a residence of forty-five years in Winnesheik county, Will B. Updegraff died at his home In Decorah, on Saturday, May 20th, after an illness of eight weeks. He was first stricken with apoplexy which was followed by a complication of disorders, resulting in his death at the age of 77 years.
Mr. Updegraff was born of Quaker parents at Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson Co., Ohio, April 4th, 1822. He attended Athens College at Athena, Ohio, and afterward taught school for a time in Kentucky. About 1847 he came west and settled at Baraboo, Wis., where he worked as a millwright, and dealt in real estate, until 1854 when he came to Iowa and bought land in Canoe township, Winnesheik county, where he lived until 1875. In that year he removed to Decorah where he has lived ever since.
In 1860 he married Miss Lydia M. Shear, of Canoe township, who survives him. They have had five children, one of whom, a son named Addison, died in 1875, aged eleven years. Of those living, the eldest, a son named Milton is Professor of Astronomy in the State University of Missouri, at Columbia, Mo. The other three children, Mrs. Edith Simmons, of Shelbyvllle, Ill., and two younger daughters, Cassandra and Mary.
Mr. Updegraff was a brother of L. W. Updegraff, formerly of Hesper, Iowa, and now of Salem, Oregon, and also of the late David Updegraff, of Kansas City. There is also a sister, Ann W. Kinsey, living at the old home in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio.
He had a deep interest in public affairs, but took no active part in politics, and was inclined to be independent in his views. The cause of education always found in him a warm supporter, and besides leaving to his survivors a competence, he gave to each of his children a liberal collegiate education. He was a firm believer in the gold standard and in the present foreign policy of the government.

Phelps Cemetery
 

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