Unrecorded Deaths and Obits of early Polk County
*Taken from Centennial History of Polk County, 1876
OLD SETTLERS DEATH (From the Iowa State Register.)
Died, in Franklin township, Polk county, September 23d, Sarah Ann Trullinger, wife of Eli Trullinger, aged 58 years. Mrs. Trullinger was born in Hamilton county, Ohio; removed to Indiana, and was married to Eli Trullinger in September, 1837. They came to Iowa in the year 1843, and have resided in Franklin township since 1845. Mrs. T. has been a member of the Christian Church about fifteen years, and has ever exemplified her profession by a consistent life. Her sickness was of a very short duration, and thus suddenly, family and friends are bereft of her society and neighborly companionship.
ANOTHER DEATH
Died -- September 9, 1876, A. Fouts, who came to Camp township, Polk county, in the year 1849, and lived there a good and quiet citizen until the year 1870, when he moved to Richardson county, Nebraska, where he died in his 78th year. He leaves a wife and children and many warm friends to mourn his death.
THE UNRECORDED DEAD
Among the dead of early settlers, of whom no mention is made in the records, are: (* indicates further information following table)
| Thomas Baber | Jeremiah Barlow | Lewis Barlow |
| William Barnes | John Bender | Dr. J. C. Bennett |
| *Alexander Bowers | Judge Burbridge | C. M. Burt |
| *Frank Butler | William Butler | Father Crabtree |
| Mrs. Richard Crystal | George Currans | *Judge John H. Gray |
| *Dr. Frank C. Grimmel | *Dr. Henry Grimmel | George Hauser |
| Jacob Hauser | Samuel Hays | Adolphus Hopkins |
| Josiah Hopkins | Benjamin Hunt | John Kellison |
| Jacob Krysher | Mrs. Kunckols | Mrs. Jonathon Lyon |
| Jas. McRoberts | *John McWilliams | Ed. Martin |
| George Marts | Jacob Marts | John Messersmith |
| P.G. Miller | J. M. Montgomery | William Rickey |
| Safford Savery | Hiram Smith | *John L. Smith |
| D. B. Spaulding | Lambert Sternberg | *G.M. Swan |
| George Van Dorn | Jacob Van Dorn | William Van Dorn |
| W. Wheelhouse | Conrad Youngerman |
Alexander Bowers came to Fort Des Moines from Ross county, Ohio, in 1848. He was Deputy U. S. Marshal during the war. He was a gentleman of great probity and usefulness, leaving at his death an independent property to his widow and adopted daughter.
Frank Butler, an exemplary and excellent citizen, fell dead in the streets of Des Moines nearly two years ago, (abt. 1874) from disease of the heart.
John H. Gray, Judge of the District Court from 1858 until 1865, died October 8th, in the latter year. He was an unaffected Christian, a talented man, and a good Judge. He was a leading member of the M. E. Church; and was succeeded in office by Hon. C. C. Nourse, appointed by Gov. Stone.
Of early settlers, none were better known than Drs. Frank C. and Henry Grimmel. They were both learned in their profession and enjoyed a merited popularity. Dr. Henry established on Walnut Street, a drug store in a little brick building, which in 1857 fell into ruins.
John McWilliams, a good, genial soul as ever lived, died in Detroit, Michigan,
John L. Smith, a good old pioneer, was killed near Stuart by falling from a carriage when the horses were running away. He lingered in great agony several hours after the accident.
G. M. Swan, an eccentric genius, (formerly an editor in Columbus, OH), well known in the county, died in Des Moines, December, 1868.