Most of us in Jasper County have learned about slavery from history books and television, all fairly impersonal images. But the following obituaries that we've gleaned from Jasper County newspapers tell the stories of the people who lived and died among us. Their stories are personal and make the issue of slavery very real. Thanks to Ernie Braida for transcribing these and other obituaries from old newspapers.
Clarissa Cox, better known by our people as Granny Moore, an aged colored woman who has been well known here since 1861, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Moore, last Sunday afternoon. For the past four years she has been a great sufferer, confined constantly to her bed with rheumatism and dropsy, although paralysis was probably the immediate cause of her death.
Granny's life has been one of toil and hardship. She was born a slave in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, on May 3, 1819. She was first the property of a rich planter by the name of Arbuckle, who gave her as a present to his daughter, Mrs. Will Lawrence, who took her to Missouri and traded her to a Miss Nell Caughlin for a lot of Missouri land, who afterwards presented her to her daughter, an illegitimate child of Bill Lawrence. Clarissa afterward passed into the possession of a family by the name of Cox from whom she took her name.
Before her old master Lawrence died, he traded for all of Clarissa’s brothers and sisters who had been sold away, and set them free, but he could not get her from her master. She never saw any of them afterward, except one brother, who went to see her at St. Joe, Mo., on his road to California, promising to come back some day and buy her and set her free. He never came. Clarissa’s life had been a hard one, her work always being as a field hand.
In 1861, after the war broke out, her master told her that she had better take her children and come north. Accordingly, accompanied by her two daughters, Mrs. Marshall Holloway and Mary, now Mrs. Wm. Moore, they came to Iowa in the hope of finding Mrs. Holloway’s husband, who had run away from his master sometime before, and were fortunate in finding him in Newton. They arrived here on the sixth day of Sept. 1861.
The funeral was held at the A. M. E. Church on Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. Thomas Watson, a local preacher, who had always been a close friend of Granny’s. A large number of friends, both white and colored, were present, as a mark of respect for the old colored woman. ~ The Newton Record Thursday, February 24, 1898
On Saturday night at 9 o'clock occurred the death of Charles Graves, aged 96 years, 7 months and 1 day. He was born in slavery, in Maryland, September 8, 1809. When a baby his mother was sold and taken to Kentucky where he resided until he was married. To this union two sons were born. He and his wife were sold as slaves and separated, he going to Missouri and she remaining in Kentucky. Mr. Graves remained in Missouri till the war broke out and then ran away from his master and came to Newton where he has resided ever since.
He was a member of the A. M. E. Church and the funeral services were held from there this afternoon at 3 o'clock conducted by Rev. Bouton, the Free Methodist Pastor. ~ The Newton Daily News, Monday, September 11, 1905, Page 1, Column 3
Charles Graves, probably by several years the oldest negro resident of Newton, died at the home of Mrs. Mary Moore 114 East South street last Saturday night about nine o'clock at the age of 96 years, 7 months and 1 day. He was born September 8, 1809, in the state of Maryland. From thence he came in his mother's arms to Kentucky where he spent the years of his boyhood and served as a slave. While there he was married to a young slave girl belonging to one of his master's neighbors. To them two sons were born who he had not seen since he was taken from and family and sold to a slave holder in Missouri. One once since has he heard from his wife and that was about a year later, the letter bearing the news that she was again married. at the outbreak of the Civil War he ran away from his master and came to Newton, in 1861, where he has since resided, for the past eighteen or nineteen years with Mrs. Moore. He was a member of the A. M. E. church of this city and lived a Christian life for the past several years. He express himself as willing and ready to die and when the end came he passed peacefully to sleep.
The funeral was held at the A. M. E. church Monday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. J. S. Bootin officiating, and the interment was made in the Newton cemetery. ~ Newton Journal, September 13, 1905.
Jason Green, one of the leading and most influential colored citizens of Jasper County, died at his home in this city yesterday afternoon, resulting from a second stroke of paralysis from which he was prostrated about a week ago. Mr. Green was born is slavery, served as a soldier in the Union Army and came to Newton at the close of the war, and has lived here ever since. His age is about 54 years. He leaves a wife, three daughters and one son, the latter now in Colorado. The funeral will be from the house at 11 o’clock Friday. ~ The Newton Record Thursday, June 15, 1899
Funeral services for the late Jason Green, whose death occurred on Wednesday of last week, were held at the home, on Friday afternoon, attended by a large number of friends. The sermon was preached by Rev. C. V. Cowan of the M. E. Church, of which denomination deceased had been a member for many years.
Deceased was born in Madison County, Ky., Dec. 24, 1844, his parents being slaves. The family moved to Missouri when he was quite young. When about 19 years of age, in company with his brother Taylor, and Lewis Mayes of this city, having determined to become free, made an attempt to run away, but were caught and returned to their master. About one month later a second attempt was made, which was successful, and the boys came to Keokuk and enlisted in the Union Army, serving until the close of the war, after which Jason and Lewis Mayes came to Newton and for the first winter worked with the families of Robt. Hill and David Matchett and attended the country school, which was very distasteful to some Kentuckians in the neighborhood, who objected to sending their children to school with "niggers." But the prejudice soon died out, as Jason and Lewis proved apt pupils worthy of respect.
On the 8th day of March 1869, he was married to Miss Sylvia Cummings, at the homestead of their old slave master, John Green, at Hainsville, Mo., and brought his bride to Newton, where they have lived ever since, except a short time spent in Iowa City. Five children were born to them, four of whom survive — three daughters and one son.
Of sixteen brothers and sisters, Jason is the tenth to pass to the world beyond, six remaining to comfort the dear old mother, who has already passed her ninety— eighth birthday, and who arrived soon after the death of her son.
For many years Jason engaged in the barber business in Newton, giving it up recently on account of failing health. He has long been a member of the M. E. Church, conscientious in his duties, and liberal in all good works. To the widow and children, and also to the aged mother, the warmest sympathy goes out from many hearts. ~ The Newton Record, Thursday, June 22, 1899, Page 1, Column 4.
Mrs. John Hale was summoned to Oregon, Mo., last Monday, by a telegram announcing the death of her aged mother, Mrs. Polly Jackson, which occurred Sunday. Aunt Polly was born in slavery and was eighty odd years of age when she died. ~ The Newton Record Thursday, May 11 1899
Mrs. Lovina Marian, one of the oldest colored ladies of our city, died at the home of her son, Anderson Hays, last Saturday night, April 24th, about nine o’clock, of dropsy and heart disease.
Grandma Marian was born in slavery near Cape Girardeau, Mo., in the fall of 1810, and was owned by a planter by the name of Amos Hays. Anderson Hays of this city — who retained his master’s name — was her first— born child, and was sold away from his mother when but six months old. Years rolled by and mother and son never heard from each other. When the war broke out Anderson had grown to manhood, escaped from his master, and, coming north, enlisted in Capt. Geo. Work’s Company E, 60th U. S. Colored Infantry.
In 1865, as his company was coming north at the close of the war, the boat had to stop at Cape Girardeau for supplies and Anderson by inquiry found his way to his old home and the mother whom he had been so ruthlessly torn some thirty odd years before. The joy of their meeting cannot be told — a brief realization of a dream which neither had ever dared to hope for. Their reunion was but for a few hours, when Anderson’s regiment left for the North and he with it.
About eleven years ago he brought her to Newton and in his family she has ever since found a happy home, surrounded with all necessary comforts, and loving hands to minister to her every want.
When but a girl of sixteen years she became a member of the M. E. Church and has served the Master with all the fervency so peculiar to her race. She was the mother of twelve children, only five of whom survive their mother. Funeral services were held in the A. M. E. Church at 1:30 p. m., Monday, April 26th, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Waldon, the choir of the church furnishing excellent and appropriate music. ~ The Newton Record 30 Apr 1897
The death of Grandmother Miller, which occurred at the home of her son, John Miller, in North Newton, Friday evening, October 22nd, was the closing of a long life, so mingled with shadow and sunshine, that if written would make a book every page of which would be of thrilling interest.
Mother Miller was born in slavery, on the 6th of Nov. 1812, in Washington County, Ky. Her first master was a planter named Montgomery. While she was but a child, Montgomery died, and his widow, who inherited Clarissa, married a man by the name of Graves and she became his property. When 16 years of age she married Paulice Waldon, who at that time was owned by a neighboring planter, but was afterward bought by Clarissa’s master. To them were born eleven children, five of whom are still living and were all by the bedside of their aged mother during the closing hours of her life. They are Mrs. Emma Gee of Colorado Springs, Messrs. John and Clem Miller, Mrs. Elizabeth Waldon and Miss Lettie Miller, of this city.
Graves moved from Kentucky to Marysville, Mo., in 1854, taking with him all his slaves. While their master was reasonably kind to them, the fetters of slavery were very galling to father and mother Miller and the bright dream of their life was of a day when they and their children would be free.
When the war broke out they realized that the time of their deliverance was at hand. In 1861 their son John in company with three other young men, Aleck Nichols and Andy and Henderson Hays, stole away from the old plantation, in the darkness of night, and made northward determined on gaining their liberty. They were pursued by the officers with bloodhounds, but managed to evade them. After crossing the Iowa line they found friends to help, but still were compelled to be very cautious, knowing that they were closely followed by the Missouri slave hunters.
Between Winterset and Des Moines they met a lot of copperheads, who were going to a political meeting at the former place, and who suspecting that they were runaway niggers, arrested them and took them and took them to Winterset determined on returning them to their master; but a band of Union men rescued them, and they again struck to the brush. In a few days afterward they arrived in Newton, stopping in front of John Meyer’s grocery, now occupied by J. F. Baker. From there they went north to the College Farm, always a noted station on the Underground Railroad, where they were taken in and kindly cared for for the night by Uncle John King. The next morning they were told that they were perfectly safe, and were persuaded not to make any further attempt to reach Canada, which had previously been the goal for which they were striving.
Accordingly, the next day John Miller hired out to Richard Shearer, Andy Hays to Uncle Tommy Vanatta, Henderson Hays to John R. Clements and Alex Nichols to Mr. Bishop — all prominent abolitionists and all except Mr. Vanatta, long since passed to their reward.
In 1862, Alex Nichols returned to Missouri, and piloted Clem, Lettie and Lizzie Miller, (the latter now Mrs. Waldon), Daniel and Ellen Nichols, his half— brother and sister (now Mrs. William Martin) to Iowa, and after a hard journey, finally arrived among their friends at the College Farm.
Meanwhile Mr. and Mrs. Miller remained with their old master, not knowing anything of their children, only rejoicing that they were free, faithfully trusting in the Lord for their own deliverance. After the war was over John went back to the old home to see his parents, and brought them back with him to enjoy that blessed freedom for which they had so long prayed. The happiness of these old colored people surrounded by their children and grandchildren, no longer bound by the fetters of slavery, could not be expressed, but often found vent in shouts of fervency, so peculiar to their race. Father Miller died just ten years ago.
The funeral services of Mother Miller, who had been a Christian for over seventy years, were held in the M. E. Church on Sunday afternoon, with a very large attendance, many white people being present who had know and loved the old mother in Israel. The pastor, Rev. T. W. Lewis, preached an excellent sermon, and the church choir rendered appropriate music. The pallbearers were her grandsons — Paulice, Obie and Jesse Waldon, Fred and Clarence Miller and Louis Mayes. ~ The Newton Record October 29, 1897
Ephraim Pillow, an old colored man who had lived in Newton for many years, was killed by the cars near the overhead bridge in the west part of town Sunday night. He went fishing Sunday morning and was on his way home when the fatality occurred. Probably the exact manner of his death will never be known. J. O. Marshall, who lives west of Newton, walked out home Sunday evening, leaving just as the curfew bell rang. When about a mile west of the overhead bridge he came across the "General," as he was called, lying quietly between the rails. He asked him what he was doing there and the old man replied that he was resting. He further stated that he had been fishing all day. After some little talk Mr. Pillow resumed his homeward journey and that seems to be the last time that he was seen alive. Whether he again laid down to rest or was simply run down by a passing train is not known, but the former would seem more probable, inasmuch as none of the train crews reported having seen him.
As one shoe was off and the sock carried along the track to the east part of town, it is probable that he sat down to take something out of his shoe and fell asleep.
It is said that he has at different times gone to sleep on the railroad track having apparently been very careless in that regard. He carried an old watch, which was found, the hands having stopped at 11:15. As a special went through shortly after that time it may have been this train that did the mischief.
The body was found by a freight crew at an early hour Monday morning and the authorities being informed, an inquest was held, which the main facts as above were deduced.
Deceased has been a prominent figure about Newton for many years, known by everybody as General Pillow, always jolly and good natured, ever ready for a joke and with a witty response to every jest. He leaves a wife and several children. He was born a slave, the property of the famous rebel general Pillow whose name he bore.
He was a hard working man and never failed to please his employer if it was possible. Liquor was his worst enemy, and he would have his periodical drunks, but at such times his good nature never deserted him. He was kind hearted and generous, and always ready to accommodate anyone when it was in his power. The old General will be missed by nearly everybody, and his horrible death was a shock to the whole community.
The burial occurred on Tuesday at 10 o’clock, the funeral service proper being deferred until next Sunday, on account of the absence of Rev. Lewis. ~ The Newton Record Thursday, May 26, 1898
Mrs. David Waldon, who passed away Friday evening, April 20, at her home on West Main Street, was seventy-three years old.
She was born in Virginia, and long before the Civil War, was married to David Waldon. They were both at that time slaves, in Anderson County, Missouri, of a man named Davis.
Sometime after their marriage, their master, wishing to raise some security money, found it necessary to dispose of a number of his men and women. Among those he sent to the trading yard were Mr. and Mrs. Waldon. For about two weeks they were in the yards, but at last were sold together to a slave owner, whose home was near Galveston, Texas. During these years Mr. Waldon was a coachman and Mrs. Waldon was one of the house servants.
Here they remained for nearly ten years, when they returned to their former home in Missouri. In the sixties his father, (Uncle) Davy Waldon, who had resided here several years, drove down into that county and brought them and their worldly goods to this city, where they have since resided.
Mrs. Waldon was a member of the A. M. E. Church, but during the past ten years she had not taken any active part in the church services. She live a quiet, simple life, and was respected by all who knew her. She had lived in the little home where she died for nearly forty years, and will be missed not only by her own folks, but those who have known her so long.
The funeral was held yesterday afternoon from the A. M. E. Church, Rev. R. B. Manley officiating. The singers were Mrs. R. B. Manly, Miss Florence Miller and Elmer and Alonzo Watson. Those acting as pallbearers were John and Clem Miller, John Hayes, George Hartley, James Hayes and Hall Turner.
The casket was covered with lovely roses and lilies, and many pretty plants were in the church. ~ The Newton Daily News, Monday, April 23, 1906, Page 4, Column 3
Death of Centenarian. - Old Uncle Davy Waldron [sic-Waldon], one of our best known and most highly respected old colored men, died at his home in this city last Friday evening, June 27, 1890, at the advanced age of probably about 110 years. He was born a slave in Richmond, Virginia, and has always claimed that he remembered well when Washington was first inaugurated and that he was 9 or 10 years of age at that time. He was married when a young man in Virginia, and was the father of ten children, but three of whom are still living and were present at the funeral. David and Walker Waldron of this city, and Austin Waldron of Andrew Co., Missouri, the latter being nearly 70 years of age. Of the other children, some are dead, while others were sold into slavery, and all trace of them long since lost.
About sixty years ago he and his wife were sold by their master, Peter Shavely, at Westville, Va., to a slave trader by the name of Davis, and carried to Missouri, where a few years later his wife died, and about 50 years ago he was married to old Aunt Rachel, who, weak in body and mind, still survives him.
About 30 years ago they escaped from their master and by the "Under Ground Railroad" made their way into our Iowa, and finally found a home in Newton, where they have since lived, and although poor, have felt rich in the enjoyment of their freedom, among friends by whom they have always been respected.
Uncle Davy had been a Methodist for over sixty years and his Christianity was of the purest type.
The funeral services were held at the A. M. Church at 19 o'clock last Sabbath, Rev. Mr. Neese, the pastor officiating. A large number of our people were present and followed the remains to the cemetery. ~ Newton Journal, July 2, 1890.
David Waldon, negro and ninety-eight years, died at his home in the north part of this city last evening. He had been ailing for the past year with a complication of disesases.
The deceased was born in Missouri in 1819. During the days of slavery he drove a stage coach in parts of Missouri. For the past fifty years he has lived in this city where he has done team work. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Thomas Hughes of this city, and a son, Mr. J. F. Waldon, whose whereabouts are unknown.
Funeral services will be held from the African M. E. church at 2 o'clock tomorrow. ~ Newton Daily News, January 4, 1917
Well Known Negro Is Dead
Anderson Hays Passes Away at Soldiers Home at Marshalltown Yesterday.
At the ripe old age of 87, Anderson Hays, pioneer resident of Newton died at the Old Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown yesterday afternoon. He was born a slave in 1836 in the state of Missouri. Running away, he came to Newton at the age of 27 and September 11, 1863 enlisted in Company E., 1st Colored Infantry of the Civil war. He was mustered out October 15, 181865 at Devall's Bluff, Arkansas. He returned to Newton, and remained here excluding a few years until he was placed in the Soldiers' Home at Marshalltown, about two years ago.
His wife died several years ago. After that he made his home with his relatives. He was a member of the G. A. R.'s having attended their reunion in Des Moines last year. He was very active for his age, and made many new friends while there.
He leaves on son, John Hays, who resides here, several grand and great grandchildren and many life long friends to mourn his death.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the A. M. E. church at which he was a member for many years. ~ Newton Daily News, October 6, 1923.
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