Abraham Kyle Allfree
Born: October 15, 1830 in Fayette Co., Pennsylvania
Died: July 17, 1916 in Sherman Twp., Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 130, plot 6
Lot Owner: A. Allfree - purchased in 1884
Married: Sophia McGovern on February 25, 1856 in Rock Island, Illinois
Children: Clara E. Phelps and Henry I.
Parents: Abraham and Ellenor (Luce) Allfree
A. K. Allfree Died at Son's Home Monday
Death Result of Paralytic Stroke Saturday Night.
Funeral Tomorrow
Bought Land in Sherman Township in
1857 and has Lived There Ever Since
A. K. Allfree, one of the most honorable citizens of Jasper county, passed away last evening at the home of his son, Henry I. Allfree, in Sherman township. His death came as the result of a paralytic stroke which he suffered last Saturday evening. The funeral will be held at the son's home tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock.
Mr. Allfree was eighty years old. He had been in failing health for the past year, altho he was not really during that time. Saturday morning he mentioned feeling better than usual, but at the supper table he said that he was tired. The paralytic stroke came upon him about seven o'clock. He did not regain consciousness before his death.
He is survived by his wife, two children, Henry I. and Mrs. Clara Phelps of Metz, also by two brothers, J. W. Allfree of this city and another brother in Pennsylvania, and one sister, Mrs. Tom Phillips of Newton who lives with her daughter, Mrs. W. F. Yost.
Mr. Allfree was born in Pennsylvania in 1826 [sic-1830]. There when still a young man he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia McGovern. In 18??, they started west in a covered wagon and their experiences of that trip would make a very interesting book. Iowa was the ideal of their journey when they left their native state. But they stopped one year in Ohio and one year in Illinois. When in Illinois they united with a Methodist church.
After the year in Illinois they came on to Iowa, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sherman township. That has been their home ever sine, altho it is now owned by their son, Henry I. Allfree.
Mr. Allfree was modest, retiring sort of man, who had a habit of attending strictly to his own business. He was a firm friend and a helpful neighbor, and was respected by the entire community of the type of those who raise the quality of the masses, he left the world better than he found it, because of his life and influence among those who knew him best. ~ The Newton Daily News, July 18, 1916.
Sophia (McGovern) Allfree
Born: January 31, 1831 in Fayette Co., Pennsylvania
Died: March 31, 1924 in Sherman Twp. Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 130, plot 5
Lot Owner: A. Allfree - purchased in 1884
Married: Abraham Kyle Allfree on February 25, 1856 in Rock Island, Illinois
Children: Clara E. Phelps and Henry I.
Parents: Charles and Elizabeth (Martzsal) McGovern
Early Settler Dies Here Today
Mrs. Sophia Allfree Lacked But Seven Years of Reaching Century Mark -- Old Age Cause of Death
Mrs. Sophia Allfree, one of the early pioneer settlers of Jasper county, died this morning at 9:30 o'clock after an illness of three weeks resulting from complications caused by her advanced age.
She was not considered seriously ill until a week ago and since that time friends had been concerned about her condition.
Sophia McGovern was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, near Uniontown, in 1831. She came to Rock Island with her parents when but a young girl. There she met and married A. K. Allfree, February 25, 1837, and to this union were born two children.
In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Allfree moved to Jasper county, Iowa, to what is known as the A. K. homestead, which was purchased of Mr. Allfree's father for a few dollars an acre. Here the Allfree family has continued to live. Mr. Allfree died in July 1916 and Mrs. Allfree lived with her son, H. I. Allfree where she has been tenderly cared for.
Tommy Rodgers, who was editor of the Record, once paid Mrs. Allfree the following tribute:
"In her active years, she was a source of help and comfort to everyone. In sickness she was ever ready to lend a willing and welcome service to all who needed help. In health, her happy disposition had greatly helped to lighten the burden of discouragement in those pioneer days of the 60's when she was loved by her neighbors far and near for her splendid sterling worth."
Mrs. Allfree's only daughter, Mrs. Clara Allfree Phelps, died last October in Des Moines.
She leaves her son H. I. Allfree, seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren besides a host of friends and more distant relatives.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock at Sugar Grove Grange hall.
Burial will be made in the Sugar Grove cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, March 31, 1924.