Iowa
Old Press
THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
October 6, 1921
Shortly after dinner yesterday Dee Thompson who has been staying
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Stankey, in Anderson, took
a shotgun and left the house for the ostensible purpose of
hunting ducks. About 2:30 in the afternoon he was found near the
fence along the railroad track in Anderson with the top of his
head blown off. Harry Wood discovered the unfortunate man and the
coronor was immediately notified. Coroner Ralph Lovelady found it
a plain case of suicide. Mr. Thompson had rested the butt of the
shotgun against a fence post and putting the muzzle of the gun to
his forehead, had pushed the trigger with a forked stick. The
charge entered his head immediately above the eyes tearing the
whole top of his head off. Mr. Thompson has been in ill health
for some time and has endured untold agonies from dropsical
condition which has afflicted him and it is thought that his
being unable to endure the constant pain was the cause of the
suicide. He was man about 70 years of age and leaves three
children and a number of other relatives who have the sympathy of
the entire community in their hour of sorrow.
[submitted by W.F., March 2004]
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THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
October 12, 1921
MATT O'BRIEN IS CALLED TO REWARD. Pioneer of the
Early Days of Fremont County Answers the Last Roll Call.
Matthew O'Brien, pioneer in Fremont county, loyal and upright
citizen, lifelong democrat and four-square man passed away
Sunday, October 9, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. E. P.
Laughlin near Percival, following a illness of several weeks.
Matthew O'Brien was born in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland,
September 26, 1836, and passed to his eternal reward on October
9, 1921, aged 84 years and 13 days.
He came to Canada with his parents when quite young where he
remained until 1867 when he came to the United States and located
on land just north of where Payne, Iowa, now stands. For many
years he was connected with railroad work and later devoted his
time to farming and stock raising in which he was very
successful, accumulating much valuable farm land. On June 22,
1869 he was married to Miss Bridget Quinn and to this union were
born eleven children, three of whom died in infancy; one, the
oldest son, John died at the age of 30 years. The following
children, all grown, survive their father: Charles O'Brien of
Hamburg, Mrs. T. P. Gilmore of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Mrs John
Head and Matthew O'Brien of Imogene; James O'Brien of Omaha; Mrs.
Otto Wirth of Nebraska City; and Mrs. E. P. Laughlin of Percival.
Also 34 grandchildren and one great grandchild. In 1906 Mr.
O'Brien retired from the farm and moved to Nebraska City where
Mrs. Laughlin passed away on February 15, 1908. His daughter kept
house for him until her marriage seven years ago to E. P.
Laughlin and he returned to the old homestead with them to stay
until called above. The funeral services were held at St. Mary's
Catholic church in Nebraska City with solemn requiem, high mass
conducted by Rev. Father Saurer, rector, Rev. Father O'Donnell of
Hamburg and Father Pix of Nebraska kCity. The pall bearers were
Mart Gordon, Mart Dignan, Theodore Wirth, John Wirth, Tom
Monaghan and Mike Ramold. All the immediate family and 20
grandchildren were present. Those from a distance were:
Mrs. Archer of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Bradley of Shenandoah
Frank Bradley of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. John Bradley of Shenandoah
Ernest Burkhizer of Hamburg
James, Joe and Miss Sophia Connell of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. Matt Crilly of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Finnell of Omaha
Mike Gleason of Shenandoah
Herb, Mart and Miss Nellie Gordon of Hamburg
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gordon of Hamburg
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gordon, Sr., of Hamburg
Mrs. M. Head and Miss Nellie Head of Imogene
Mr. and Mrs. Lou Hilger of Hamburg
Mrs. Kate Johnson of Dunbar, Nebraska
Frank Laughlin of Imogene
James Laughlin of Imogene
Mrs. Mary Laughlin of Imogene
William McMahill of Shenandoah
Mrs. John Mullen and daughter of Dunbar, Nebraska
Mr. and Mrs. Denny Ryan of Shenandoah
Neal Ryan of Omaha
J. W. Shunick of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Simms of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Slater of Imogene
James Sloan of Shenandoah
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Smith of Shenandoah
Ruth Leffler
On Sunday afternoon the home of Charles Leffler was greatly
saddened when the only daughter and eldest child, Ruth, was taken
from their midst. Ruth had been in poor health for a long time,
but all her suffering and pain were endured heroically, with no
complaint, always kind, patient and so thoughtful of those around
her. All that loving hands could do was done for her but the One
who doeth all things well saw fit to call her home to her reward
from her earthy suffering.
Ruth Arilla Leffler was born May 28, 1905, near Percival, Iowa
and passed away at her home east of Thurman on Sunday, October 9,
1921, at 4:30 in the afternoon at the age of sixteen years five
months and eleven days. She leaves to mourn her loss her father
and mother and two brothers, Sturgis and Elmer, all of whom will
miss her very much and to them is extended the deepest sympathy
of relatives and friends in their bereavement. The funeral was
held Tuesday at Freedom church south of Thurman, conducted by
Rev. R. R. Moser, pastor of the Methodist church of Sidney.
Misses Nina Waterman, Lucile Hanson and Genevieve Payne furnished
the music for the services. Four cousins, Archie, Fahy, Herschel
and Esden Boldra acted as pall bearers. Interment was made in the
Rector cemetery.
Allen David Thompson.
Allen David Thompson, familiarly known as Uncle Dee, was born at
Booneville, Kentucky on April 20, 1844, and died at Anderson,
Iowa, October 5, 1921 at the age of seventy seven years five
months and 15 days. Mr. Thompson moved to Holt county, Missouri
in 1862 and in 1864 he was married to Nancy Venable. To this
union three children were born, all of whom are living. Mrs.
Thompson passed away on September 2, 1905 at Minco, Oklahoma,
where they went for her health. There are left to mourn his death
two sons and one daughter, James W. of Gem, Texas, A.C. of Tabor,
Iowa, and Mrs. T. E. Jackson of Plesanton, Kansas. He is also
survived by 15 grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, numerous
other relatives and a large circle of friends. Mr. Thompson made
a public confession in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal
Saviour a year ago last August. Uncle Dee, for by that name he
was known by all, was a most energetic man a loyal citizen and a
faithful friend, always ready and willing to extend a helping
hand to the needy. During his sickness which has extended over a
period of months, he was a most patient sufferer. He has earned
his reward and who shall say that it be denied. Funeral services
were held from the church in Anderson Friday conducted by Rev. D.
W. Thompson. Interment in Sidney cemetery.
E. W. Hutchison
Ebenezer W. Hutchison passed away at his home in Sidney Monday
morning, October 10, at nine o'clock. He was aged 80 years, nine
months and ten days when called to his reward.His health has been
poor for several years when the coming of death was undoubtedly a
relief. He was born in Belmont ocunty, Ohio, December 31, 1840,
where he remained until twenty one years of age when he enlisted
in the 15th Ohio veteran volunteer infantry. He was in all the
battles of his regiment until that of Stone River, when he was
taken prisoner. He was paroled shortly after, having been
exchanged and joined his regiment again at Murfreesboro,
Tennessee. His fortunes were those of his regiment until he was
mustered out with the rank of sergeant on December 27, 1865. In
the following spring he came to Fremont county, Iowa, and was
married on April 25, 1872 to Miss Mary Irwin. To this union were
born eight children, four of whom with the mother, survive the
husband and father. The children living at a distance are Samuel
A. of Almena, Kansas, and Jeanette of Great Falls, Montana. Those
living in Iowa are Glen, Adolph and Mrs. E. E. Axtell of Sidney.
Funeral services will be held from the Presbyterian church this
afternoon at 2:30, conducted by Rev. W. J. Mitchell, pastor of
the Presbyterian church at Hamburg.
John Alberson Dead
John Alberson, for 55 years a resident of Hamburg and for almost
35 years marshal of the town, passed away at his home there
Wednesday afternoon, October 5, after a few days illness. John
Alberson was born at Clarion, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1853, and
moved to Hamburg in the fall of 1865 where he made his home until
the time of his death. On December 15, 1879, he was married to
Sarah Harris who passed away about a year ago. The surviving
children of this union are Enoch, Blair, Mrs. Bert Brown, Mrs.
Joe McKean, Mrs.Carl Zimmerman and Mrs. George Miller, all of
whom live in or near Hamburg except Mrs. Zimmerman, who lives at
Strand, Nebraska. Two brothers and two sister also survive him.
Mr. Alberson received his first appointment as marshal of Hamburg
thirty five years ago and since then has held this office for
over twenty years. He was a good officer and was liked and
repected by all who knew him. Funeral services were held from the
home Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Conner, pastor of the
Christian church. Interment wa made in the Hamburg cemetery.
[submitted by W.F., March, April & May 2004]
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THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
October 27, 1921
Two new bungalows being built by the Pickens Construction Company
on the old Park House site are rapidly being made ready for the
plasterers.
[submitted by W.F., Oct. 2003]