Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, May 12, 1988

Hiram Alexander MILLSAP, son of Alexander and Dora THARP MILLSAP, and last surviving member, was born September 2, 1893 on a farm near Benton, Iowa, in Grant Township, and passed quietly away in his sleep at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center, at the age of 94 years, eight months and four days.

"Hi", as he was known by old and young alike, received his education in the rural schools.

At the age of 10, his parents moved to New Mexico for one year and then returned to Ringgold County where he was a liftime resident, except for five years when he was homesteading in Montana. he filed for the 320 acre homestead on September 2, 1914, of which he still owns. For a while, he resided with a cousin, Henry HAYDEN and family.

In January of 1916, he went to Portland, Indiana, where he married Cora RUPE on January 23, 1916. They were privileged to celebrate their 72nd wedding anniversary on January 23, 1988 with their family. To this union was born one daughter, Opal Lucille, and two sons, Clarence Dowis and Marion Leroy.

In November, 1919, the family returned to Iowa, purchasing a farm south of Mount Ayr. he enjoyed farming the land and working with livestock. Hhe so enjoyed working with the threshing machine and is named in the "Threshers Hall of Fame" at Ellston. They resided on the farm for 53 years before moving into town in July of 1973. When health failed them, they moved to the Mount Ayr Health Care Center where they were lovingly cared for.

Hiram joined the Baptist Church on April 28, 1907, and was baptized on May 5, 1907.

He was a township assessor for 36 years, assessing in ten different townships and as many as four in one year. He served on the school board several years, township election board, township trustee and was a farm bureau member for 68 years, starting as a member in Montana.

Left to mourn his passing is his devoted wife of 72 years; a daughter, Opal (Mrs. Darrel) DAVENPORT of Mount Ayr; a son, Clarence and wife Helen of Des Moines; former daughter-in-law, Louise (Mrs. Clare) JOHNSON of Tingley; grandchildren: Marilyn (Mrs. Bud) GRAHAM of Mount Ayr; Judy (Mrs. Bernie) CARRASCO of San Francisco, California; Jim and wife, Virginia, of St. Paul, Minn.; Steve and wife Diana of Greenfield; Keith of Winterset; Ron and wife, Lynn, of Ottumwa; Randy and wife, Julie, of Cedar Rapids; great-grandchildren: Shane, Stephanie, Reese, Cole, Lance, Tara and Ryan MILLSAP, Joshua CARRASCO and Michael CARRASCO; also three step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister; three brothers; one great-grandson; and one son, Marion, on December 15, 1974.

Funeral services were held May 9, 1988, from the Wilson-Watson Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa, conducted by Rev. Hal HAWKINS. Music was provided by Mrs. Keith SACKETT and Mrs. Robert TRULLINGER.

Casketbearers wre Bud GRAHAM, Jim MILLSAP, Reese MILLSAP, Randy MILLSAP, Keith MILLSAP, Ronald MILLSAP and Steven MILLSAP. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2010

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