Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - juliajoh@usc.edu |
Taylor County Republican March 27, 1884 [p. 4] A Sad Event Death of Havilla Bailie As we go to press the sad intelligence reaches us of the death, by suicide, of Havilla Bailie, long a well-known citizen of Taylor County. Mr. Bailie cut his throat this morning at twenty minutes of seven o'clock, at his residence in this city. The weapon used was a razor, and the determination with which the act was committed is indicated by the fact that three cuts were made in the neck, one of them reaching entirely around the throat and nearly severing the jugular vein. Drs. H. F. Dunlavy, M. C. Connett, W. F. Randolph and A. H. Connett were promptly on the ground in response to a call for medical aid, doing all that was possible to save the wounded man's life, and although they succeeded in tying the vein above the wound, their efforts were fruitless and the patient expired at fifteen minutes before eleven this morning. The deceased was about sixty-four years of age and was married in Knox County, Ohio, to Miss Nancy Cox, in 1850. He came from Ohio to Taylor County with his family about seventeen years ago, locating in Jackson Township, where he has ever since resided until the first of the present month, when he removed to Bedford in order to give his children the benefit of the Bedford schools. He leaves a wife, who is in delicate health, and five children, four boys and one daughter. He has one brother living in Taylor County, Mr. Richard Bailie, and a sister [Mary Elizabeth], who is the wife of Mr. E. [dmund] C. Martin. A brother and sister, Dr. Bailie and Mrs. Mattie Weddel, reside in California, and another sister, Mrs. Margaret Rork, resides in Kansas. The deceased became a member of the M. E. Church many years ago in Ohio, and still retained his membership here, being connected with the Platteville charge. He was a man of excellent character and habits, and was in good circumstances, being the owner of a three-hundred-acre farm in Jackson Township, which is regarded as one of the finest farms in the county, as well as a considerable amount of other property. His domestic relations were pleasant and he was highly esteemed by all who knew him. During the past few weeks, however, he has been laboring under an attack of mental depression, bordering closely upon insanity, his trouble being an idea that his business affairs were all going wrong and that his farm was being mismanaged, an idea, however, for which there was not the slightest foundation. This has grown worse and for some days past his children had thought it necessary to watch him, and last night removed and, as they thought, concealed a razor and revolver that were in the house. The latter weapon, with the usual shrewdness, which usually accompanies the suicidal mania, he endeavored to have left with him by telling his children that somebody had been trying to get into the house. There is not the slightest doubt that insanity was the cause of the rash act, which has thrown its shadow over the community. The funeral will take place from the family [residence?] on Saturday next at two o'clock p.m., and the remains will be interred in the Bedford cemetery. Times-Republican Thursday March 19, 1903 [p. 8] Mortuary This afternoon at about 2 o'clock Garrett Newkirk passed away. He has been more or less ill all winter and the end is not a surprise to the relatives and friends. He is an old soldier and is quite aged, being about 77 yrs of age. He is an old resident of this county and is widely known. At this writing no definite arrangements have been made for the funeral but [it] will probably occur tomorrow. Times-Republican January 26, 1905 [p. 1] Death of An Old Settler Mrs. William A. Webb [Martha Ann Goodwin] died at her home in the south part of the city, this morning at 5 o'clock of old age and heart failure. Mrs. Webb was one of the oldest settlers in Taylor County, having come here with her husband nearly half a century ago. For many years Mr. Webb was engaged in business here, but has been dead for several years. During the last five years Mrs. Webb has lived in two rooms rented of Clark Kinnison in the home occupied by him. Up to yesterday noon Mrs. Webb seemed to be in her accustomed health, but a little later she was stricken, sinking rapidly until [death?] came early this morning. Five children survive her: Mel [vin] Webb of Omaha; Wm. Webb whose home is in Illinois, but who for the past month has been visiting relatives in the vicinity of Gravity; Mrs. Ellis Titus [Etta May] who lives four miles west of town; Mrs. William Nendick [Sarah Elizabeth] and Mrs. Chas. Taylor [Nancy J.] of Bedford. The funeral will be held Thursday but no other definite arrangements have been made. Bedford Free Press September 26, 1907 [p. 1] Melvin C. Webb Melvin C. Webb was born in Bedford in August 1867, and died at his home in Omaha, Monday, September 16, 1907. The deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. [illiam] A. Webb [Martha Goodwin], now both deceased, and it was here he grew to manhood, leaving here about 20 years ago. For a number of years he has been working at his trade as a barber in Omaha. The funeral occurred at his home on Wednesday, September 18, and [was] under the auspices of the Catholic Church, of which he was a devout member. Aside from a wife and two children he leaves to mourn a brother, W. [illiam] A. Webb, of Paloma, Ill.; three sisters, Mrs. Belle Gartside, Chester, Neb.; Mrs. Ellis Titus [Etta] and Mrs. Chas. Taylor [Nancy], this county. The sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved. Bedford Free Press September 26, 1907 [p. 1] Robert Johnson Salen Robert Johnson Salen was born in Davis County, Iowa, February 17, 1845, and died at his home west of Bedford, September 19, 1907, at 8 o'clock, from the affects of a paralytic stroke. In 1862 he moved to Taylor County, Iowa, and on December 19, of the following year, he enlisted in the 29th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Co. F, and served faithfully until mustered out at New Orleans with his company on the 10th of August, 1865. As a soldier his comrades are a unit in saying there never was a better man or braver to shoulder a musket during those troublous days. At the close of the war he returned to Bedford, and here it was that he married Miss [Marilla] Jane Howe on February 4, 1866, and they soon settled on a farm. These two happy young people started their married life with willing minds and a cheerful disposition, two prerequisites for success and happiness. To them five children were born. They are Mrs. E. [ugene] H. [arlan] Simpson [Alice May], Des Moines; Mrs. S. [amuel] W. [infrid] Gant [Mary Etta], Mason township; [?} [Robert] A. [rthur] Salen and Albert Salen, this county; one died in infancy. He also leaves a heart broken wife, a brother, Thos. Salen, of Monett, Kas., to mourn his death, besides 12 grandchildren. The deceased united with the Baptist Church of Bedford in January 1866, and remained a faithful member until God called him higher. As a citizen, husband, father, neighbor he was all that man could be. Learning when quite young to do his duty as he saw it, he never faltered [?] in it in later life. He had just about finished a comfortable new residence on his home farm, and was preparing to take life easier. The funeral was held at the late residence on Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. A. I. Jones. Burial [words missing] by K post of Bedford, at the Titus [Graceland] cemetery. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of a host of friends in their sorrow. [Robert Johnson Salen] Times-Republican Thursday September 26, 1907 [p. 6] Mustered Out. Robert J. [ohnson] Salen died at his home in Benton Township, four miles west of Bedford, on Thursday, September 19th, at 8:30 p.m., aged 62 years, 7 months and 2 days. The funeral sermon was delivered by Rev. A. I. Jones, and the exercises were in charge of Sedgwick Post, No. 10 G. A. R., of which deceased was an honored member for many years. The interment was made at Titus [Graceland] cemetery. Robert J. [ohnson] Salen was born in Davis County, Iowa, February 17, 1845. When but a small boy his father died, and shortly after, with his mother, he went to Schuyler County, Missouri. He remained there only a short time, and in 1857 immigrated to Bedford, where until the outbreak of the war, he and his mother lived in a house that stood where McMahill's west livery barn now stands. When the first rumbling of the mighty war tempest that was soon to deluge the whole country in blood, was first heard, Robert Salen was but a young lad, and the sole support of a widowed mother. But while his flag needed defenders it was hard for him to remain quietly at home. He stood it, however, for a while, but by the time he had reached his 17th year, the call of duty to his flag was too strong to be resisted, and on December 19, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, 29th Iowa Infantry. For three years he marched, fought and endured all the hardships of a soldier's life, and when he was mustered out his record was one of which his children may always have cause for feeling proud. After the war, Mr. Salen returned to Bedford, and on February 4, 1866, was married to Miss [Marilla] Jane Howe. To this union four children were born, all of whom, together with their mother, survive. The children are, Albert, the youngest, who resides at home; Robert A. [rthur], who lives a miles west of the parental home; Mrs. Mary [Etta] Gant of Taylor County, and Mrs. Alice [May] Simpson of Des Moines. All were present at their father's side during his last hours. In early manhood Mr. Salen followed the avocation of brick mason, but later concluded to engage in farming. His first year on the farm was spent a mile north of Bedford. The next few years he lived a short distance south of town. He then purchased the farm where he made his home for the thirty remaining years of his life. As a man he was frugal and thrifty, though never niggardly, while the call of distress met from him a ready response. As a neighbor he was kind and accommodating and merited the good will of all. As a husband and father he was considerate and loving. In all things he was just and honorable and in his death Taylor County has lost one of its best citizens. [SALEN, ROBERT JOHNSON] |