Elmer Ray & Marguerite Heath

HEATH CLIFT CHASE ONSTOT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 9/21/2010 at 21:41:57

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Elmer Ray and Marguerite (Clift) Heath
By Marjorie Heath Ellis

Elmer Ray Heath was born 22 December 1890 in Woodbury County, son of Walter Pettit and Idella Mary (Chase) Heath. He lived most of his life in the Bronson community where he attended a country School and later took a business course at NBT in Sioux City. He played baseball on the town team. In December 1917 he enlisted in the Army and was assigned to a Medical Unit, serving most of his time at the US Army General Hospital # 32 in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1919, he married Jettie May Onstot who was born 30 November 1891; she was the daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Marquart) Onstot. Jettie had been a school teacher before her marriage. They resided on a farm east of Bronson. Jettie died ten days after the birth of their daughter, Marjorie Jean, in 1920. Elmer farmer for five years and then became a contractor and builder in the Bronson community. He was a member of Tyrian Lodge AF&AM and the Sioux City Consistory.

In 1931, Elmer married Marguerite Clift, born November 14, 1907, daughter of Charles Clift and Emily (Lockwood) Clift. Marguerite was a teacher in the Bronson School. In 1932, their daughter, Margaret Ann, was born. During World War II Marguerite returned to teaching. In the 10940’s Elmer operated the Bronson Lumber Company and later they owned and operated a grocery store in Bronson. He died December 2, 1954, and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City.

Marguerite returned to school at the University of Iowa and earned a B.A. in Speech Therapy. She worked until her retirement in the Woodbury County schools and in the Sioux City Community School District. She is a Past Matron of Morningside Eastern Star # 502, and has been active in AAUW, ADK, BPW and other organizations at the local and state levels. At this writing she continues to live in Bronson.

Marjorie married Glenn Ellis and their story is written separately.

Margaret Ann attended the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and earned a B.A. in Applied Music and a B.A. in Music Therapy from the Chicago School of Music, Roosevelt University. She married George J Michas and lives in Lockport, Illinois. They have one daughter and three sons: Christina, James, Michael and Clifton.