Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - juliajoh@usc.edu

[Philip S. Miller]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 17, 1944    p. 7

Phil S. Miller

Philip S. Miller, son of William and Mary Miller, was born July 21, 1866, in West Virginia, and died Jan. 25, 1944, at the age of 77 years, 5 months and 24 days.

On September 8, 1897, he was married to Miss Maude Cole, who preceded him in death on March 2, 1935, at the age of 67 years.

To them two children were born, one daughter, Edna Virginia Gilbert, who survives, and one son, who died in infancy.

Most of his life was spent on a farm in Jackson Township.  After the death of his wife he moved to Bedford, where he resided at the time of his death.

He is also survived by two brothers, John Miller and Alfred Miller, both of West Virginia; one sister, Mrs. Josephus Fuller [Abigail] of Bedford, and a grandson.  Deceased was a member of the Forest Grove church.

Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson.  Burial was in the Forest Grove cemetery.

[James Franklin Walkup]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 17, 1944    p. 7

J. F. Walkup

James Franklin Walkup, eldest son of William and Miriam Walkup, was born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, May 9, 1852, and died at his home in Bedford, Iowa, Feb. 7, 1944, at the age of 91 years, 8 months and 29 days.

He came to Taylor County at the age of 18 where he spent the rest of his life except for 4 years spent in the west.  He was married to Mary Elizabeth Meehan on March 25, 1880 at Bedford, Iowa.  To them were born five children, Mrs. Blanche Keith, Mrs. Maude Gordon, Glenn Walkup, of Bedford; Roy Walkup of Marionville, Mo., and Frank Walkup of Altadena, California.  Mrs. Walkup died Jan. 4, 1944.

He was a member of the Baptist church for many years.

He is survived by his five children and nine grandchildren.  They are Floyd Gordon, Wilbur Walkup, of Bedford, Pauline Denton, Fort Worth, Texas, Pfc. Harold Walkup, Cpl. Robert Walkup, Pvt. Ralph Walkup of the army, Donald Walkup of the navy, Ruth Walkup of Marionville, Mo., and Virginia Walkup of Altadena, Calif., and one great granddaughter, Carolyn Lee Gordon.

One brother, Samuel Walkup of Deepwater, Mo., one half brother, Robert Walkup, of Tarlton, Okla., two half sisters, Mrs. Georgia Graham of Buckner, Mo., and Mrs. Louise Pool of Colorado.

The funeral services were held at the Walker and Shum Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.


[Catharine Gillette Kessler Jones]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 17, 1944    p. 7

Mrs. Taylor D. Jones

Mrs. Taylor D. Jones was born February 5, 1853, in the beautiful hamlet of "RondOut-on-the Hudson," which is now a part of Kingston, New York.

She was christened Catherine [Catharine] Gillette Kessler, second daughter of John and Sophia Kessler.

She lived her childhood in the environs of New York, and with her parents, migrated westward to Chicago, where she lived for a period of time.  Later on they moved to Dubuque, Iowa, and there she spent her happy carefree schoolgirl days.

In time, her parents settled at Marengo, Iowa, where she finished her school days, and had grown to womanhood.

It was there she met Mr. Taylor D. Jones, and they were united in marriage in Marengo, on June 26, 1871, coming to this place, shortly after, as a bride. 

For eight years Mr. and Mrs. Jones resided in Bedford.

In 1879 they located on a farm south of town, where they continued for thirty years, during the rearing, and education, of their children.

In 1908, Mr. and Mrs. Jones retired from the farm, and took up their residence again in Bedford, which home Mrs. Jones had maintained since the death of her husband in 1932.

In 1871 Mrs. Jones united with the Methodist Episcopal church in Bedford, under the pastorate of Rev. George Maxwell and holds the oldest membership of this Methodist church today.

For some years she has been too frail to attend church services, but was increasingly faithful in her personal Christian devotions.

Mrs. Jones would have been ninety-one years of age February 5, Saturday of this week.

She is the mother of three sons, and five daughters, who survive her, and is also survived by one sister.  She has one grandson, Kessler Junior, a pilot, in the Army Air Corps service.

She heads a family group of five generations, herself, eight children, twelve grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren.

Mrs. Jones held in perfect possession all her faculties; busy with her household and her flower garden.  She read much, current affairs, and Christian material.

The work of her life has been a great career of unselfish, devoted service to her family and home, to which she was consecrated.  She passed away as she lived, in loving service, as a blessed Mother, a beautiful memory to be cherished by her children.

She was a friendly neighbor and held her neighbors in affectionate regard; and they in turn held her in their esteem.

She is endeared to all who knew her, for her mild and gentle manners; and was a person of high hope, Christian fortitude and good cheer.  She will be greatly missed.