Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
 
[Hopson, Lydia Sophia Honeysett Daniels]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     June 26, 1919     p. 5

Mr. and Mrs. S.[eymour]  J. [ames] Hopson of Omaha returned home Saturday, after attending the funeral of his mother.

[Hopson, Lydia Sophia Honeysett Daniels]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      July 17, 1919     p. 4

Mrs. J. E. Hopson Dead

Aged Resident of Bedford Passed Away June 25, 1919

Mrs. J. [ames] E. [lliott] Hopson [Lydia Sophia Honeysett] passed away at her home in Bedford June 25, 1919, aged 86 years, one month and three days. The funeral was held at the home, conducted by Rev. E. E. Lowe on Friday, June 27, and interment was in Bedford cemetery.

Mrs. Hopson was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., May 22, 1833. She was married to Mr. [Daniel] Daniels, who was killed in the civil war, and in 1875 was again married to J. [ames] E. [lliott] Hopson. Immediately after their marriage they came to Taylor county, settling on the farm south of town now occupied by their son, J. [ohn] W. [esley] Hopson. She was the mother of four children, two born during her first marriage and two during the second. They are Mrs. Virtue A.[nn] Gates and Mrs. [Au] Gusta Perkins, and Mr. J. [ohn] W.[esley] Hopson and Mr. S. [eymour] J. [ames] Hopson. They moved from the farm to town eight years ago, and six years ago Mr. Hopson died.

Although past 86 years old she held her age remarkably well and was keen and active to the last, being sick only for a couple of weeks before her death.

(By some oversight this fact escaped the attention of the Times-Republican until this week. ---Ed.)

[Hopson, Marjorie Maye]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 27, 1964     p. 8

Marjorie Hopson Rites Aug. 12

Funeral services for Marjorie Maye Hopson of Bedford, held Aug. 12 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home, were conducted by Bob Richardson. Miss Hopson died August 9, following a heart attack. Interment was at Bedford Cemetery, Bedford.

The following obituary was included in the services:

Marjorie May Hopson, daughter of Tessie and John W. [esley] Hopson, was born at Bedford, Feb. 25, 1913. She lived all her life at Bedford. She graduated from the Bedford High School in 1930 and from the Northwest Missouri State Teachers’ College at Maryville, Mo. She also attended Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Ia. She taught school four years. In her fourth year, her health failed. She has been in ill health since then.

Marjorie was one of a family of ten children. One sister is deceased. The four brothers and four sisters living are Carl Hopson of Anderson, Calif., Ruth Park and Flavia Davidson of Bedford, Humphrey Hopson of Anderson, Calif., Frank Hopson of Kansas City, Mo., Lydia Webb of Woodland Hills, Calif., Oliver Hopson of Sacramento, Calif., and Lucille Hopson of Los Angeles, Calif. She is also survived by her stepmother, Mrs. John Hopson of Bedford, her stepbrother, Keith Jared of Minneapolis, Minn., and many nieces and nephews.

[Johnston, Anna Long]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      December 31, 1908     p. 4

Obituary.

On Wednesday evening of last week, at 7: 30, Mrs. J. [ames] T. Johnston died after a brief illness of but a week. The funeral was held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the late home, conducted by Rev. W. M. Dudley.

Miss Anna Long was born in Greencastle, Ind., August 14, 1835, being 73 years, 4 months and 9 days old at the time of her death. In 1855 she went with her parents to Chariton, Iowa, where in October of the same year she was united in marriage to J. [ames] T. Johnston. In 1857 they moved to Bedford and here and farms in close proximity, has been their home since.

During their early life here together they braved all the hardships and vicissitudes of pioneer life. Nine children were born to them, five of whom still live. The deceased was a true Christian woman and was one of the charter members of the organization of the M. E. church at this place. They left their farm about twelve years ago and have since made their home in Bedford, surrounded by many friends. All the five living children were here to attend the funeral.  They are G. [Charles] M. [ilton] Johnston, of Geary, Okl.; J. [ames] Elzia Johnston and Mrs. Grace Gilchrist, Hinton, Okl.; Willis [Long] Johnston, Hydro, Okl.; H. [enry] P. [earl] Johnston, Hopkins, Mo. Aside from the children she leaves two sisters and four brothers to mourn her death. They are H. [enry] P. and H. [iram] M. [arshall] Long, Bedford; M. [arcus] L. [afayette] Long, Lawton, Okl.; W. [illiam] G. Long, Chadron. Neb.; Mrs. M. [artin] V. [an Buren] King [Sarah], Geneva, Neb.; Mrs. J. [ulia] M. [ariah] Houck, Bedford.

The sympathy of many friends is extended to the bereaved.

[JOHNSTON, ANNA LONG]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, December 24, 1908
Mrs. Johnson Passes Away
Mrs. J. [ames] T. Johnston died last night at 7:30 o'clock after an illness of only a few weeks. She was very sick almost from the time she was taken down and for some days her friends have realized that the inevitable end could not be long delayed and the children who live at a distance were notified. But the angel of death travels swifter than could the loving children and the mother passed away before any of them arrived.
Anna Long was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1835, and in that state she spent the early years of her life. Early in the fifties she came with her parents to Iowa and settled in Lucas county.
In October 1855 she was married to J. [ames] T. Johnston, the ceremony being performed at Chariton, Iowa. Two years later they moved to Taylor county and for more than half a century have lived here together in happiness and contentment.
Five children of the nine that were born to them, survive. They are: C. [harles] M.[ilton] Johnston, Geary, Oklahoma, J. [ames] Elzia Johnston and Mrs. Grace Gilchrist of Henton, Oklahoma, H. [enry] P. [earl] Johnston of Joplin, Missouri and Willis Johnston of Hydro, Oklahoma.
Definite arrangements for the funeral are not complete. It will be held on Saturday, but the hour has not been fixed and the other arrangement have not yet been made.

[Johnston, Henry Pearl]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      June 9, 1921      p. 5

Obituary.

Henry Pearl Johnston, the son of James and Anna [Long] Johnston, was born on the farm that was improved by the parents near Bedford, Iowa, September 23rd, 1872. He attended the rural schools and worked with his father on the farm until he was of age.

At the age of fourteen he was converted and joined the Methodist church at Bedford, later transferring his membership to the church near the present home. He was always a faithful attendant upon the church services and maintained his Christian faith until the end.

On Feb. 9th 1898, he married Miss Cina Dickerson and to this union two children were born, one who is now Mrs. Carrol McKie [McKee], and Walter who has been the mainstay of the home since the father's illness. Besides the wife and two children he leaves to mourn his departure three brothers, C. [harles] M.[ilton], of Bedford; James E. [lza], of Alamosa, Col., and Willis [Long] of Hydro, Okla.

Funeral services were held at the home. Interment was made at Fairview cemetery, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Gable conducted the services.

 

[Johnston, James T.]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday     April 17, 1918     [p. 1]

Called Here by the Death of Father

Mr. and Mrs. H. [enry] P. [earl] Johnson [Johnston] and family of Hopkins who were called to Bedford by the death of his father J. [ames] T. Johnson [Johnston] returned to their home Tuesday afternoon.

 

[Johnston, James T.]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday     April 17, 1918     [p. 1]

Attend Johnson Funeral

Mr. and Mrs. T. R. DeWolf of Hopkins attended the funeral of their uncle, J.[ames] T. Johnson [Johnston] in Bedford Tuesday.

[Johnston, James T.]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday     April 17, 1918     p. 4

Obituary James T. Johnston

James T. Johnston died at his home in north Bedford Sunday after a lingering illness. Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. J. A. Currie. The G. A. R. also participating. Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

James T. Johnston was born at Hagerstown, Mo. [Md.] February 8, 1830. He was the youngest of five children and his mother died when he was only two years old. An older brother, William, aided him in getting his first position in Baltimore in a tailor shop. He was but twelve years of age at the time but he learned the business and from his fellow workers secured the rudiments of the education which served him well in life, despite the fact that he was unable to attend the regular public schools. Six months in a writing school was the extent of his school days but he was a self educated man and well versed in business matters.

In 1852 at the age of 22, he came to Iowa City, Iowa. In 1855 he was married to Miss Anna Long at Chariton. To this union, nine children were born, four of whom survive. Willie and Lizzie died in childhood. Edward grew to manhood and died at Kansas City, Mo. Two daughters, Mrs. Mary Turner and Mrs. Grace Gilchrist passed away in the state of Oklahoma soma time since, each leaving a family. In 1857, Mr. Johnston came with his family to Taylor county and engaged in the tailoring business in Bedford. After spending two years in the shop, he took up farming and continued to follow this occupation until about twenty years ago when he retired and moved to town. In 1861 he entered the service of his country, enlisting in the 7th Missouri Cavalry and served until discharged for disability.

He was one of the charter members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bedford and continued in this faith until his death, living a consistent Christian life. His wife departed in 1908. He continued to enjoy reasonably good health until two years ago when a decline set in. Gradually he failed and on Sunday, April 14, he passed away at the ripe old age of 88 years, 2 months and 6 days.

He leaves to mourn his death, four sons, Charles M. [ilton] of Bedford, J. [ames] Elsie [Elza] of Saguache, Colo.; Henry P. [earl] of Hopkins, Mo.: and Willis M. of Hydro, Okla. Also twelve grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends. He is the last of his family to depart, his brothers and sisters preceeded him in death.

[Note: The federal census of 1860 gives his birth place as Maryland and occupation as tailor but the federal census of 1870, 1880, Iowa State Census of 1895, and federal census of 1900 give the birthplace as Pennsylvania.  His biography in the History of Taylor County, Iowa 1881, page 668, gives his birthplace as Franklin County, Pennsylvania.] 

[Johnston, James T.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      April 18, 1918      p. 4

JAMES T. JOHNSTON PASSED AWAY SUNDAY

came TO IOWA IN 1852—CAme TO BEDFORD fiVE years later

Was Probably The First Tailor to Locate In Bedford—Afterwards Took Up Farming as an Occupation, Retiring About twenty-five Years Ago

James T. Johnston died at his home in Bedford Sunday, April 14, 1918, at 3:00 P. M., aged 88 years.

Mr. Johnston has been in declining health for over two years and has been confined to his home for some time. He was one of the early pioneers of Taylor County and was highly respected by his many friends.

James T. Johnston was born at Hagerstown, Md. February 8, 1830. He was the youngest of five children and his mother died when he was only two years old. An older brother, William, aided him in getting his first position in Baltimore, Md., in a tailor shop. He was but twelve years of age at the time, but he learned the business and from his fellow workers secured the rudiments of the education which served him well in life, despite the fact that he was unable to attend the regular public schools. Six months in a writing school was the extent of his school days, but he was a self-educated man and well versed in business matters.

In 1852, at the age of 22 years, he came to Iowa City, Iowa. In 1855 he was married to Miss Anna Long at Chariton, Iowa. To this union nine children were born, four of whom survive. Willie and Lizzie died in childhood. Edward grew to manhood and died at Kansas City, Mo. Two daughters, Mrs. Mary Turner and Mrs. Grace Gilchrist passed away in the state of Oklahoma some time since, each leaving a family.

In 1857 Mr. Johnston came with his family to Taylor County and engaged in the tailoring business in Bedford. After spending two years in the shop he took up farming and continued to follow this occupation until about 20 years ago, when he retired and moved to town. In 1861 he entered the service of his country, enlisting in the 7th Missouri Cavalry and served until his discharge for disability.

He was one of the charter members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Bedford and continued in this faith until his death, living a consistent Christian life.

His wife departed this life in 1908.

He continued to enjoy reasonably good health until two years ago, when a decline set in. Gradually he failed and on Sunday, April 14, 1918, he passed away at the ripe old age of 88 years, 2 months and 6 days.

He leaves, to mourn his departure four sons, Charles M. [ilton] Johnston, Bedford, Ia.; J. [ames] Elsie [Elza] Johnston, Saguache, Col.; Henry, P. [earl] Johnston, Hopkins, Mo.; Willis M. Johnston, Hydro, Okla. Also 12 grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

He is the last of his family to depart, his brothers and sisters having preceded him in death. The funeral was held at his late home in Bedford Tuesday, April 16, 1918, at 2 P. M. Rev. J.  A. Currie conducted the services, the G. A. R. also participating. Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

[Note: The federal census of 1860 gives his birth place as Maryland and occupation as tailor but the federal census of 1870, 1880, Iowa State Census of 1895, and federal census of 1900 give the birthplace as Pennsylvania.  His biography in the History of Taylor County, Iowa 1881, page 668, gives his birthplace as Franklin County, Pennsylvania.]

[JOHNSTON, JAMES T.]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Wednesday, April 17, 1918
Willis L. [ong] Johnson [Johnston] returned to his home in Hydro, Okla., Tuesday afternoon. He was called here by the death of his father, J. [ames] T. Johnson [Johnston].

[JOHNSTON, JAMES T.]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, April 18, 1918
Mrs. T. R. DeWolf returned to her home near Hopkins Tuesday afternoon, after attending the funeral of her uncle, J. T. Johnston.

[Larison, Elizabeth Midkiff]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      March 3, 1898      [p. 1]

In Memoriam

The remains of Mrs. Elizabeth Larrison were laid to rest in Fairview cemetery, Tuesday, March 1st., followed by a large concourse of relatives and friends. For forty-two years she with her family has been a resident of this county.

One by one the pioneers are passing away, and the young generation should hold in loving remembrance the work of those who reduced the wilderness to a garden, and made us such a beautiful place to live.

She was born in Tennessee, July 7th, 1827. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Midkeff [Midkiff]. At the age of seventeen she was converted, and united with the Blue River church in the state of Indiana where she had moved with her parents. Three years later she was married to John B. Larrison. To this union was born eight boys, five of whom died in youth and three remain. After their removal to Iowa, she with her husband united with the Bedford Baptist church, and later with the Union Baptist church, of which she was a consistent member at the time of her death.

The funeral services were held in the Bethel church, and were conducted by Rev. C. L Parsons.

The text was Romans, eighth chapter, thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth verses: "May the Lord comfort the saddened hearts of those who mourn."

[Larison, Elizabeth Midkiff]

Blockton News

Thursday      March 3, 1898     p. 8

Bedford News.

Mrs. Elizabeth Larrison, aged 70 years, died Monday at her home in Ross township.

[Larison, George Winfred]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      June 17, 1926     p. 7

Infant Larison

The one year old son [George Winfred] of Mr. and Mrs. K. [imball] E.[dgman] Larison died at the residence in northwest Hopkins, Saturday, June 12 at 11:30 a m. He is survived by two half brothers, one half sister and one brother, father and mother. Funeral services were held at the Bedford Baptist church Sunday, conducted by Rev. C. W. Fletcher. Interment was given in the Bedford cemetery by the side of his half brother, Lee, who preceded him in death some few years ago.

[Note: The same notice was printed in the Bedford Free Press, June 17, 1926, page 1.]

[Larison, John Elmore]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    October 14, 1897     p. 3

Another Death

Last Saturday afternoon at 2:30 occurred the death of John E. [lmore] Larrison, a most highly respected citizen of Gay Township, caused by lung fever, aged 33 years, 5 months and 5 days.

Deceased was born in Taylor county May 4, 1864, and has resided in said county ever since. In 1892 he was married to Miss Mida [Maria] Alcott, and to this union was born a boy and a girl, who with his wife, survive him. It is a terrible loss to them, and they have the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement. He was an exemplary character, and bore the love and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances. The funeral exercises were conducted at the Baptist church in this city Monday afternoon by Rev. Parsons, and the large concourse of sorrowing ones in the funeral procession attested the love and respect in which he was held. The remains were interred in the Bedford cemetery.

[Note: Iowa marriages, 1809-1992 gives the marriage date and place as March 10, 1891 at Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa.]

[Larison, John Elmore]

Thursday    October 14, 1897     p. 3

John [Elmore] Larrison [Larison] of the south part of Clayton, who has been sick for some three weeks, passed from time to the Unknown, from whence none returneth Saturday, at 2 o'clock p. m. Deceased will be sadly missed in his neighborhood. He was one of those kind hearted, good-natured men, who is everybody's friend. To know him was to love him. Our sympathy extends to those in bereavement.

[Laughlin, John G.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 21, 1968      p. 6

John G. Laughlin, 63, Rites Held Here

Funeral services for John G. Laughlin, 63, of Bedford, were held September 16 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home here with Rev. Richard D. Viney officiating. Mr. Laughlin died November 14 at Armstrong Nursing Home here. Interment was at Bedford Cemetery, Bedford.

Included among his survivors is a brother, Elmer Laughlin, of Creston.

[Lewis, Emeline Goodwin]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      May 1, 1902      p. 4

Body Returned to Bedford

Mrs. James D. Lewis died last Sunday, morning at her home in Kansas City, aged 69 years. The body was brought to Bedford Tuesday morning and laid to rest in the Bedford cemetery by the side of her husband, who died in Bedford in 1892. Short funeral exercises were conducted at the grave by Elder Ferguson. This family at one time resided west of Bedford on a farm.

[Lewis, Emeline Goodwin]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     May 1, 1902     p. 4

Mortuary

The remains of Mrs. James [D.] Lewis, who died in Kansas City Sunday, were brought to this city this morning for interment in the Bedford Cemetery. The funeral services were held in Kansas City. Elder Lee Furgeson, of this city held short services at the cemetery.

The Lewis family were formerly residents of this city and Mr. Lewis died here several years ago.

[Lewis, James D.]

Taylor County Democrat

Thursday     July 12, 1894     p. 4

James [D.] Lewis an old resident of Bedford died at his home on Friday night. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. C. Grant McNeil on Sunday afternoon.

 

[Lomax, Mary Merilda Hawkins]

Bedford Times-Republican

Tuesday     August 8, 1922    p. 2

In Memoriam

Mary Marillda [Merilda], daughter of Enoch [George] and Eliza [Jane Hendricks] Hawkins, was born in Knox County, Ill., May 10, 1853, and passed away at her home in Bedford, Iowa, August 2, 1922, aged 64 years, 2 months and 4 days.

July 4, 1880, she was united in marriage to J. [ames] A. [urelius] Lomax at Galesburg, Ill. They made their home here until the spring of 1886, when they moved to Thomas County, Kans., where they lived for 9 years. Then because of the crop failure and the poor health of Mrs. Lomax they removed from there to Worth County, Missouri, near Sheridan, where they resided for 7 years. Later they bought a farm in Taylor County, Iowa, where after a few years residence they moved to Bedford where they have since made their home.

To them six children were born: Mrs. Adah McPhail, Freeland, Wyo.; (Gertrude, died in infancy); Mrs. Lula Acree, Hood River, Ore.; Mrs. Edith Bradley, Lincoln, Neb.; Earl, St. Joseph, Mo.; and Lloyd, Hood River, Ore. All the children were present at the funeral of their mother except Mrs. McPhail. She leaves to sorrow, also her husband, five sisters and 3 brothers, eight grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Mrs. Fay Riley who is keeping house for F. [loyd] E. [arl] Lomax in St. Joseph also was present at the funeral.

Our sister united with the Church of Christ at Pretty Prairie, Kans., and has ever endeavored to follow in the footsteps of her Lord and Master. For many years she has been a sufferer but she bore it all patiently and without complaint.

On Lord's Day, August 6, at 2 o'clock p. m., her many friends and neighbors assembled for the funeral service conducted by Elder S. D. Harlan, at the Church of Christ after which the body was laid to rest in Bedford cemetery.

The services at the grave were in charge of the Rebekah Sisters from Blockton where our sister was a member. The floral offerings were beautiful and on a card appended could appropriately have been placed these words, "These flowers, so typical of the life of her we mourn, mutely speak the pathos of a parting word, and are placed upon the casket by friends who loved the sweet sleeper. On these petals are tears for the parting, and hopes for the meeting beyond the gates.'"

[Note: The gravestone gives her birth date as 1858.]

[ LOMAX, MARY MERILDA HAWKINS]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, August 1, 1922
Mrs. Lomax Dead
At 8 o'clock yesterday morning Mrs. J. A. Lomax, who has been seriously ill for many weeks, passed away at her home in south Bedford. Mrs. Lomax was 64 years of age last May. She leaves a husband and five children to mourn her loss. Telegrams have been sent to the children in different parts of the country, and as soon as they are heard from the time of the funeral will be set. We will give obituary in our next issue.