Obituaries |
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com |
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday June 19, 1952 p. 5
Obituary- Mrs. M. J. Albert
Helen Dresher, daughter of Jesse and Sarah [Matilda Sherbeck] Dresher, was born June 12, 1893 at Bedford, and died June 1, 1952, at Mercy hospital, Iowa City, at the age of 58 years, 11 months, 19 days.
She attended the schools of Bedford and graduated from the High School as valedictorian with the class of 1912 during the superintendency of E. W. Goetsch.
She attended normal school at Saskatoon, Sask., Canada, and graduated June 13, 1917 from the University of Iowa with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. For six years she was principal of high schools in Iowa.
She was married to M. [errill] J. [ames] Albert of Brandon, Iowa, at Camp Pike, Ark., Sept. 4, 1918, while her husband was in officers training school during the first World War. To them one daughter, Helen Elizabeth, was born, who, with the husband and father survive.
Following the war from 1920 to 1925 she was principal of the high school at Duncombe, Iowa, and her husband was superintendent of the schools there. For the past 14 years the family had made their home in Cedar Falls.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Charles.
She was a member of the Bedford Presbyterian Church and during her high school experience was organist of the church.
Funeral services were conducted from the Presbyterian Church in Bedford, June 4, by Rev. Robt. M. Peters, minister of the Bedford Methodist church. Burial was in Fairview cemetery.
[LaPoe, Osceola ÒOsaÓ Wallace]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday June 19, 1952 p. 5
Former Resident Dies
Mrs. Ida Savage received word of the death on May 25 of her niece, Mrs. E.[rwin] E. LaPoe (Osa Wilson) in Portland, Oreg. Mrs. LaPoe [Osceola ÒOsaÓ Wallace] will be remembered here as she lived in the Nelson Savage home. She is survived by her husband, one daughter, two sons, six grandchildren, all residing in Portland with the exception of the youngest son, Wallace, who is serving in the U. S. Navy.
[McColm, Lottie Marie Johnston]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday June 19, 1952 p. 5
Mrs. McColm Died
Mrs. Lottie [Marie Johnson] McColm died Friday, June 6, after an illness of over two years. Funeral services were Monday afternoon at the Christian Church.
MCCOLM, LOTTIE MARIE JOHNSTON]
Bedford Times-Press, Thursday, June 19, 1952, [p. 1]
Obituary – Mrs. Lottie McColm
Lottie Marie Johnston, daughter of Hermanus and Martha Ann Johnston, was born in Marion County, Iowa Sept. 2, 1859, and died at the Frank Davis home near Gravity, where she was being cared for, June 6, 1952 at the age of 92 years, nine months, four days.
At an early age she came with her parents to Taylor County, where she spent the remaining years of her life.
On Dec. 19, 1878, she was married to Dr. J. [ohn] T. [homas] McColm. Although having no family of their own, they made a home for several children.
She united with the Methodist church in Gravity and was instrumental in the organization of the first aid society of that church. She later transferred her membership to the Christian church in Gravity.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and two sisters, Miss Minnie Johnston and Mrs. Erdine Beemer.
She is survived by two brothers, E. [merson] J. [efferson] Johnston and W. [illiam] A. [ndrew] Johnston, of Gravity; one sister, Mrs. Luna Morris of San Jose, Calif.; a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at the Christian church in Gravity, June 9, conducted by Rev. R. V. Felt. Burial was in Washington cemetery, Gravity.
Iowa South-West
Saturday February 17, 1877
Died
Bowers----In Taylor County, Iowa, February 14th, 1877, Elizabeth [Cowell] Bowers, wife of John Bowers, seignior, in the 67th year of her age.
Mrs. Bowers was born in Green County, Pennsylvania, November 6th, 1810. Was married October 4th, 1832; she, with her husband, united with the Methodist Protestant Church at Whitely Chappel, in May 1833. Mrs. Bowers led a consistent Christian life from this time forward, having the entire confidence of all with whom she became acquainted. Indeed, in all the relations of life, as a true companion, a devoted mother, a true friend, and a good neighbor, she was a most estimable woman. She was the mother of nine children, four girls and five boys, all of whom are living; six of them are in Taylor Co., two in Dewitt County, Illinois, and one in Ohio. In the year 1869 the family removed from their old home in Pennsylvania, to the present one in Taylor County, Iowa. Mrs. Bowers, in coming west, did not do as many have done, leave their religious ideas and practices behind them, but maintained her integrity and Christian character to the latest moments of life. Indeed, for her to live was Christ, but to die was gain. The Crucified one in whom she had trusted so many long years, did not leave her in the last conflict, but she was enabled to say Òthough I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Ó Indeed, she seemed anxious to leave earth and its sorrows for the Glory Land, so as to be forever with Him who has said ÒI am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me though he were dead, yet shall he live again.Ó And thus in lively hope of a blessed immortality this dear sister passed away. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Randolph of the M. E. Church, at the late residence of the deceased, to a large auditory of sympathizing friends and neighbors. Argus please copy. B. F.
Iowa South-West
Saturday October 5, 1879 p. 3
Death Of An Old Citizen
Among the pioneers of Taylor County, Iowa, was Wm. G. [ray] Meredith. Some twenty-three years ago he settled three miles west of Bedford. There he toiled and prospered. There his industry and honesty won for himself the respect and good will of all who knew him. There, too, he buried his beloved wife. He never married again. He said that one good wife was enough for him.
Mr. Meredith afterwards removed to Hayden Grove, fifteen miles north of Bedford. He died September 29th, 1878, aged fifty-four years and six months. He was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and resided twenty-one years in Rush County, Indiana. His funeral took place on Monday, September 30th, and was a very large one. Rev. R. A. McKinley, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Bedford, conducted the services. The body of Mr. Meredith was laid away to rest beside that of his wife.
He was not a member of any church organization, although he was brought up in a Presbyterian family, but during his last illness he said that he trusted in Christ for salvation, and that his not having connected himself with any church was a thorn in his side. It is not the outward, but the inward; it is not profession but practice that God looks upon. Men can be saved out of the church and lost in it, but those who make use of the privileges afforded by the church and who perform the duties required by it are best satisfied with themselves when the solemn hour of death draws near. No one ever regrets his identification with the cause of Christ, when death comes. How many are then thorn pierced because they have given the gospel of Christ so little attention.
R. A. McKinley
Bedford Free Press
Thursday May 13, 1909 p. 5
Death & Funeral Of J. C. Meredith
All of our readers are acquainted with the fact of the death of J. [oseph] C.[arroll] Meredith, a brother of T. [homas] A. [ddison] Meredith of this city, but the following information, taken from the Miami, Fla., Metropolis, will add more definite particulars:
A few minutes past twelve oÕclock today (April 20) the community was shocked at the news of the death of Mr. J. [oseph] C. [arroll] Meredith, engineer in charge of the Florida East Coast Railway extension, which occurred at the Meredith residence. Death was due to diabetes.
At nine oÕclock this morning, the yacht, Lotus, arrived from Marathon, bearing Mr. Meredith, who was taken ill Saturday afternoon at his headquarters on the extension work. At that time he complained that he could retain nothing on his stomach. His condition did not seem to change and it was thought best to come to Miami, and his yacht was at once prepared for the journey.
Upon its arrival here this morning Dr. Skaggs was immediately summoned, and after an examination Mr. Meredith was removed to his home two blocks distant. Dr. Jackson was then called in consultation, and though the patient revived somewhat he lost consciousness about an hour before his death.
Details of his life are not available at this time as Mrs. Meredith is prostrated and not able to give out any information regarding her husband. Her wish that she be left alone has been respected. It is believed burial will be held here.
Mr. Meredith came to Miami in the spring of 1905 to undertake the great work of building the Florida and East Coast Railway extension to Key West, over the Florida Keys and the Atlantic Ocean. Mr. Henry M. Flagler, owner of the road, had searched long for a man to take charge of the work, and Mr. Meredith seemed to be the man for the place. His experience in railroad construction work in Tampico, for the Mexican Central, was the last work accomplished by Mr. Meredith before coming to take charge of the construction of the Ocean going railway. The gigantic task of building a railway over the ocean at no time seemed to be too great an undertaking for Mr. Meredith, and he guided the work from the beginning to the time of his death. He gathered around him a corps of able assistants and has never once wavered in the attempt to accomplish the work.
During the past year Mr. Meredith had been under treatment for diabetes and even though the average man would have given up such a task, he kept at the work of laying the path for the iron horse into Key West, until the grip of death overcame him.
If the work did not proceed as rapidly as he wished, no one knew of his dissatisfaction except those on whom he fixed the responsibility and they were told in a few mild words what would be expected of them. He alone carried the weight of responsibility for the completion of the road and if the burden seemed great, no one ever knew it.
About ten days ago, Mr. Meredith was in the city, and in speaking of the work expressed great satisfaction at its progress and stated to a Metropolis reporter that he expected the road to be completed in February of next year.
Later:----The funeral this afternoon of the late J. [oseph] C. [arroll] Meredith, in the Presbyterian church, was attended by several hundred people, a great majority of the attendants being men associated in one way and another with him in the work of building the Florida and East Coast Railway extension. The ceremonies were simple and impressive, and following, burial was made in the city cemetery. As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, general orders were issued from St. Augustine that all rolling stock and operation in the entire Florida and East Coast Railway system be suspended from three oÕclock until five minutes after three, and promptly at that hour all wheels from Jacksonville to Knights Key became motionless, and all departments of the company immediately shut down the lever of operation.
Not only did the operation on the railroad and its department cease, but by special request of Mr. Julian Smith, president of the Miami Merchants Association, all stores in the city closed their doors from three oÕclock to four.
Yesterday afternoon and this morning, a large number of the heads of the departments of the Florida and East Coast Railway extension arrived in the city to attend the funeral of their late chief.
[MEREDITH, JOSEPH CARROLL]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, April 22, 1909
J. C. Meredith Dead
J. [oseph] C. [arroll] Meredith, a brother of T. H. Meredith, night watch in this city, died Tuesday at Miami, Fla. The following is the dispatch as it appeared in the Register and Leader Wednesday.
Miami, Fla., April 20. – J. [oseph] C. [arroll] Meredith, chief engineer of the Florida East Coast railway extension, died suddenly here today. Mr. Meredith was in charge of the extension of an all rail line across the Florida Keys to a point about ninety miles from Cuba.
Mr. Meredith's death was the result of devotion to duty. Several months ago, when advised by physicians to take a trip to Europe, he refused, saying he expected to remain on the job until the east coast extension was completed. Last Saturday afternoon he was violently ill and today he was brought here from Marathon, Fla., the base of operations of the railway work. He died shortly after noon of diabetes.
Mr. Meredith had been on the extension work since the spring of 1905 when he was brought from the construction of the Mexican Central to Florida to engineer the difficult task of laying a line of cement and steel across impassable keys, treacherous marshes, and sheer stretches of open water of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic ocean, one of the most remarkable feats of modern times.
Bedford Free Press
Thursday May 13, 1909 p. 5
Word has been received here of the death of Ed Wolverton, at his home at Cora, Ida. No particulars were learned, other than that the remains would arrive here today for burial. He resided in Taylor County for a number of years until moving to Idaho several years ago. He was a brother of the late Cyrus Wolverton. He joined the I. O. O. F. lodge in Bedford in 1866, and still retains his membership.
Times-Republican
Thursday May 13, 1909 [p. 1]
Edward Wolverton Is Dead
Remains Will Be Brought Here From Garfield, Wash.
Edward [Edwin] Wolverton, who formerly resided about five miles east of Bedford, died Monday at his home in Garfield, Wash. Sheriff Daugherty received a telegram from T. J. Wolverton, a son, Wednesday morning announcing the death and conveying the information that the remains would be brought here for burial. They left Garfield Tuesday.
It is probable that the Odd Fellows will take charge of the remains upon their arrival, as Mr. Wolverton was an active member of the order, having joined the Bedford lodge in 1866. Later, he changed his affiliation to the Siam lodge.
Mr. Wolverton came to Taylor County in the 50s, and resided here until about eight years ago, when he went to Washington, making his home in Garfield, where his son is located.
He has several relatives in the county. His second wife and son survive.
[Humphrey, Mary Elizabeth Barnes]
Bedford Free Press
Thursday May 13, 1909 p. 5
Mrs. E. M. [ontgomery] Humphrey [Mary Elizabeth Barnes] from near Gravity died this morning at 5 oÕclock from a tumorous growth in the side. She had been suffering for the past three months. The deceased is a sister of Mrs. Frank Greeley [Rachel Jane Barnes] and Mr. E. [lmer] L. [eroy] Robbins. The time of the funeral has not been learned.
Bedford Free Press
Thursday May 13, 1909 p. 5
Dr. J. [ohn] W. Manker, who has been practicing dentistry at Red Oak for several years, died at the home of his daughter in Chicago Wednesday morning. He is a brother of Dr. G. [eorge] F. [inley] Manker of this city. The remains will be taken to Red Oak for interment, either tomorrow or Saturday. Dr. and Mrs. Manker will leave here tonight for that place to attend the funeral. The sympathy of all is extended to Mr. Manker in his double affliction.
[Manker, John W.]
Times-Republican
Thursday May 13, 1909 [p. 1]
Death Takes Two
Dr. MankerÕs Mother and Brother Pass To The Great Beyond
Dr. G. [eorge] F. [inley] Manker received a telegram yesterday morning conveying the sad intelligence of the death of his brother, Dr. J. [ohn] W. Manker. Dr. Manker, the deceased, was a dentist by profession and for a quarter of a century was located at Red Oak. Some few years ago he sold his business there and retired from active practice. He then moved to Omaha and later to San Francisco.
About January 1, Dr. Manker went to Chicago to visit his married daughter and while there was taken ill. For a time he was quite sick but later he began improving and believing he was out of danger his daughter went with her husband to Salt Lake where he had gone into business.
The telegram yesterday was the first intimation that Dr. G. [eorge] F. [inley] Manker had of the change for the worse in his brotherÕs condition.
This is the second time within eight days that the angel of death has taken toll from the doctorÕs family. His mother died at Red Oak Tuesday and was buried on Friday. She was in her 88th year and had been failing for a long time. Her home for 30 years had been at Red Oak. Dr. Manker and wife returned home from attending the funeral on Saturday.
[Manker, John W.]
Times-Republican
Thursday May 27, 1909 p. 8
Dr. J. W. Manker
In the last edition of the Red Oak Sun is an extended account of the last rites over the remains of Dr. J. [ohn] W. Manker of Los Angeles, which were brought to that city from Chicago for interment. Doctor Manker was a brother of Dr. G.[eorge] F. [inley] Manker of Bedford. The services were conducted in part by Rev. E. W. McDade, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, formerly a Bedford minister.
Doctor Manker was a member of the Omaha Masonic lodge, and that order had charge of the ceremonies. The Sun says:
ÒAn escort of about fifty members of the Masonic Lodge accompanied the remains to the cemetery. There was a large attendance of friends. The pallbearers were James Boileau, F. J. Brodby, H. W. Clovis, J. E. Gochenour, W. C. Pryor and L. H. Tonner.
ÒDoctor Manker was in his fifty-fifth year. His death was from BrightÕs disease, from which he had been affected about two years. He had been in Chicago three months taking treatment. His wife and son were there with him. He was born Aug. 20, 1854, in Darlington, Ind. He came to Iowa in 1873, living near Shenandoah for a short time, and then a few miles north of Red Oak for a couple of years, becoming a resident of Red Oak in 1876. For about twenty years, and until 1905, he was a dentist in Red Oak and built up a large practice. He moved from Red Oak to Omaha in 1905 and a year or two ago moved from Omaha to Los Angeles, Cal. For about two years Doctor Manker had been president of the First National Bank at Elliot, but he was not actively identified with the management of that institution. His estate is estimated at $60,000.
[Manker, John W.]
Bedford Free Press
Thursday May 27, 1909 p. 7
Dr. John W. Manker
The remains of Dr. John W. Manker, who died in Chicago, May 12, were brought here Sunday morning from Chicago for interment. They were accompanied here by Mrs. Manker and their son, Merrill, and by J. [ames] L. Manker of Boston, Mass., a brother of Dr. Manker, who had been here the week before his brotherÕs death to attend the funeral of his mother and on his way back to Boston had stopped at Chicago to see his brother.
Dr. MankerÕs daughter, Mrs. Georgia Manker Thompson, came from Omaha, also Wesley Templeton, a brother of Mrs. Manker, from Omaha, Dr. and Mrs. George Manker and F. L. Boileau from Bedford, the first named is a brother of Dr. J. [ohn] W. Manker, Mr. and Mrs. H. [enry] E. Manker, Mr. MankerÕs brother, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Humphrey, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Cadwell, C. E. DeWitt, W. L. DeWitt, George W. Pogue, George T. Cooper, Thomas Murray and John Gilchrist, from Elliott and vicinity, and Wm. R. Bennett and James Cameron from Omaha, officers of Covert Lodge No. 11 A. F. & A. M. of that city, of which Dr. Manker was a member.
Services consisting of Scripture reading and prayer were given by Rev. E. W. McDade, of the M. E. church, at the Boliead & Thomas undertaking parlor on Sunday at 1:30 p. m., and at the cemetery an excellent address was given by Rev. McDade and the Masonic burial service was given impressively by Wm. R. Bennett, master of Covert lodge No. 11 A. F. & A. M., Omaha, and James Cameron, senior warden of that lodge, W. W. Montgomery, secretary of Red Oak Lodge no. 162, reading Dr. MankerÕs Masonic scroll, a copy of which was deposited in the grave.
In Rev. McDadeÕs address feeling allusion was made to Dr. MankerÕs loving remembrance of his mother, his frequent loving messages to her in the years he had been away from Red Oak and to the fact that in years of their residence here Dr. and Mrs. Manker gave unselfish and gracious service as members of the M. E. church choir.
An escort of about fifty members of the Masonic Lodge accompanied the remains to the cemetery. There was a large attendance of friends.
Doctor Manker was in his fifty-fifth year. His death was due to BrightÕs disease, from which he had been affected about two years. He had been in Chicago three months, taking special treatment. His wife and son were with him.
He was born Aug. 20, 1854, in Darlington, Ind. and came to Iowa in 1873, living near Shenandoah for a short time, and then a few miles north of Red Oak for a couple of years, becoming a resident of Red Oak in 1876. For some twenty years, and until 1905, he was a dentist in Red Oak and built up a very large practice. He moved from Red Oak to Omaha in 1905 and a year or two ago moved from Omaha to Los Angeles, Cal. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason in Red Oak lodge No. 162, A. F. & A. M., May 11, 1892, passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft Mason, March 15, 1893. For about two years past Doctor Manker had been president of the First National Bank at Elliot, but he was not actively identified with the management of that institution. His estate is estimated at $60,000.----Red Oak Sun
[MANKER, JOHN W.]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, May 20, 1909
Dr. and Mrs. G. [eorge] F. [inley] Manker returned home Monday from Red Oak where they had gone to attend the funeral of Dr. Manker's brother, who was formerly a dentist at that place. The funeral was held at Red Oak Sunday afternoon, the sermon being preached by Rev. E. W. McDade, formerly of Bedford. The ceremonies were in charge of the Masonic lodge of Omaha of which Dr. Manker, the deceased, was a member, assisted by the Masonic lodge of Red Oak.
Times-Republican
Monday June 16, 1924 [p. 1]
Sudden Death of Dr. Manker
BedfordÕs Veteran Dentist Passed Away At Maryville Hospital Friday Evening. Came To Bedford in Year 1884.
When the word came from Maryville Friday evening that Dr. G. [eorge] F.[inley] Manker, dentist, was dead, the report could hardly be believed by his friends, so suddenly had he been called. He was taken to the hospital for an operation for chronic trouble Thursday morning but his condition grew worse, and the end came about 4:45 Friday evening.
Possibly no better history of his life is recorded than in the Taylor County History Supplement of the Times-Republican issued in 1893. It reads as follows:
ÒDr. G. [eorge] F. [inley] Manker was born at Darlington, Indiana, in 1857. He lived with his parents, attending school and working in the interval on the farm until 1873, when the family came to Fremont County, Iowa, where they remained about two years, removing from there to Red Oak. In 1877, Dr. Manker entered his brotherÕs dental office at Malvern as a student, where he labored faithfully until he was able to practice. He managed his brotherÕs office until 1880, when he married Miss Dora Salsbury, a popular young lady of Villisca, and removed his dental office to Villisca, where he remained until Õ84. In this year he removed to Bedford where he has since resided. The doctor has always been actuated by the laudable ambition to stand at the head of his profession and has various times availed himself of the opportunity to take a special course.
Dr. Manker was recently lauded for having completed his fortieth year in business in Bedford, and for having been the last remaining charter member of the K. P. Lodge here. He was back of every civic improvement and was one of the highly honored citizens. His passing causes us to contemplate on the death of the four old-time businessmen of Bedford in the past few months, Frank Dunning, H. B. Rhoads, J. J. Clark, and Dr. Manker. He was the oldest businessman in Bedford, barring the two professional men, Hon. L. [eonard] T.[urley] McCoun and J. [ames] P. [atton] Flick.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, June 17, at 2:00 p. m. at the residence of Mrs. C. M. Paschal in North Bedford, conducted by Rev. C. W. Fletcher, funeral director Wetmore in charge.
Times-Republican
Thursday June 19, 1924 [p. 1]
Obituary Of An Old Residenter
Dr. Manker Was One of BedfordÕs Oldest Citizens and Enjoyed a Wide Acquaintance in This Section of Country.
Dr. George F. [inley] Manker was born at Darlington, Ind., Aug. 18, 1857. In 1873 he came west with his fatherÕs family and lived for a time near Shenandoah, and later moved to Red Oak. In 1877 he entered his brotherÕs dental office at Malvern, and for a time he managed his brotherÕs office. In 1880, he was married to Miss Dora Salsbury of Villisca. Four children were born to them, one son and three daughters. Little Beatrice died in infancy, and in 1892 Mrs. Manker passed to her reward, and on May 11th in 1895 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Amelia Vaughan, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Manker was one of six brothers, four of which were dentists. For four years he had his office in Villisca and in 1881 he moved to Bedford where he has since practiced his profession. He had an honorable record, one of over 40 years, and was recognized as one who kept abreast of his profession, one who loved his work, and felt a joy in being able to render a service of helpfulness, for he was one who loved his fellow man.
Dr. Manker joined the K. of P. Fraternity many years ago and was the last of the charter members of the local lodge. He was a beloved member of the Baptist church for many years, holding many offices and serving ten years as Bible School superintendent, and teacher of Bible classes.
Dr. Manker was in his office and at the chair up to Saturday night, June 7, and was taken ill on Monday, and on Thursday was taken to the hospital at Maryville, where all that medical skill could do was done, and on Friday, June 13, he passed on to that beautiful city beyond the river, aged 67 years. When he was told that he must submit to an operation and that was the one chance, he said, ÒWell I am ready, if it is GodÕs will, I have made my peace with him and I do not need a minister to make it for me now.Ó
He leaves to mourn their loss, his wife, one son, Roy L. [eighton], of Los Angeles, Calif., two daughters, Mrs. Ethel Warner, of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Mrs. Helen Thompson, of San Francisco, Calif., and two brothers, Mr. Henry Manker of Elliott, Iowa, and Mr. Lewis Manker of Boston, Mass.
Bedford Free Press
Thursday June 19, 1924
Dr. George F. Manker Buried Here Tuesday
____________________________________________
Died In Hospital At Maryville Friday After Short Illness
Dr. George F. [inley] Manker, BedfordÕs oldest resident dentist, passed away at the hospital in Maryville last Friday afternoon after submitting to an operation a few hours before. He had been sick since the first of the week with stoppage of the bowels and the operation was performed as a last resort to save his life. The hope was futile and he passed away.
Funeral services were held here Tuesday afternoon from the home of Mrs. C. M. Paschal and burial made in the Fairview cemetery. Rev. Fletcher of the Baptist church had charge of the services and the K. P. lodge gave their services at the grave.
Many stores closed during the services and hundreds of the doctorÕs friends attended to pay their last respects for a greatly loved and respected man.
Following is the obituary as read by the minister at the services:
Dr. George F. [inley] Manker was born at Darlington, Indiana, August 18, 1857. In 1873 he came west with his fatherÕs family and lived for a short time near Shenandoah, Iowa, and later moved to Red Oak. In 1877 he entered his brotherÕs dentist office at Malvern, Iowa, and for a time was manager of that office. In 1880 he was married to Miss Dora Salsbury of Villisca and four children were born to them, one son and three daughters. Little Beatrice died in infancy and in 1892 Mrs. Manker passed to her reward. In 1895 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Amelia Vaughn of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Manker was one of six brothers, four of whom were dentists. He had an office in Villisca four years and in 1881 moved to Bedford where he had since practiced his profession. He had an honorable record, one of over 40 years, and he was recognized as one who kept abreast of his profession. He loved his work and felt a joy in being able to render a service of helpfulness. He loved his fellow men.
Dr. Manker joined the K. P. lodge many years ago as one of the charter members and he was the last living charter member here. He was a beloved member of the Baptist church and for many years served as an officer and for some ten years was superintendent of the Bible school and teacher in the Bible class. Dr. Manker was in his office and at his chair up to Saturday night, June 7th, and was taken ill the following Monday. Thursday he was taken to Maryville where all that medical skill could do was done and on Friday, June 13th he passed on to that beautiful city beyond the river, aged 67 years. When told he must submit to an operation and that it was the one chance, he said, ÒI am ready, if it is GodÕs will. I made my peace with Him many years ago and do not need a minister to make it for me now.Ó
He leaves to mourn their loss, his wife, one son, Roy L. [eighton], of Los Angeles, California, and two daughters, Mrs. Ethel Warner of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Mrs. Helen Thompson of San Francisco, California. Also, two brothers, Henry Manker of Elliot, Iowa and Lewis Manker of Boston, Mass.
Times-Republican
Thursday May 16, 1929 p. 4
Mrs. G. F. Manker
Amelia Rees, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Rees, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Feb. 18, 1863, and departed this life from her home in Bedford, Iowa, on the 28th day of April, 1929, at the age of 66 years, 2 months and 10 days. Mrs. Manker grew to womanhood in the state of Ohio, and was united in marriage to Wm. A. Vaughan in 1883, who passed away in Cincinnati in the year 1890. On May 11, 1895, she was again united in marriage to Dr. G. [eorge] F. [inley] Manker, who passed away June 13th, 1924, at Maryville, Mo. One child was born during the first marriage, Arthur K. Vaughan, who passed away in infancy. Soon after her marriage to Dr. Manker, she came with her husband to the state of Iowa, where she has lived for the past 34 years. At a very early age, she united with the Baptist church, and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bedford, in good and regular standing at the time of her death. Mrs. Manker has always been a very loyal church member, and seldom if ever was she found missing from her church, but was a very prominent community worker, and has stood high in all community and religious circles. Those left to mourn her departure, are her two stepdaughters, Helen Manker Thompson of San Francisco, Calif., and Ethel Manker Warner of Twin Falls, Idaho. She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth McCormick of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Mrs. Sadie R. Shook of Lewis, Ind. One nephew, Walter Rees McCormick of Fort Wayne, Ind., and one niece, Mrs. Ada Fairhall of Fort Wayne, Ind. Mrs. Manker leaves many friends who will in turn miss her from the community and church circles.
Funeral services were held at the Baptist church Tuesday afternoon, April 30, conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell. Interment was made in Fairview cemetery.
Bedford Free Press
Thursday November 11, 1926 [p. 1]
Roy L. Manker Died At Home In Hollywood
Roy L. [eighton] Manker, son of the late Dr. G. [eorge] F. [inley] Manker of this city, died at his home in Hollywood, California, last Saturday. His death was the ultimate gesture of defiance in a tragedy of reverses which had left him in near poverty and with the mists of mental darkness slowly enveloping him.
Mr. Manker, founder and until two years ago, president of the Palmer Photoplay Corporation, suffered a nervous breakdown two years ago, and this prompted him to resign his post as head of the photoplay corporation. He turned again to writing only to discover that he was worn to a thin edge and that he could not concentrate.
Then he went east in response to an offer in Detroit. But he could not work. Later, he went to Florida. The real estate boom was on in full swing. He risked the greater part of his fortune and lost it in the collapse. That left him almost penniless.
On his return he went to the hospital at Sawtelle for observation. There he came to the realization that he gradually was losing his mind. So recently he made his will and last Saturday made his final answer to the trick of fate which had shunted him from wealth and mental brilliance. Mr. Manker was 45 years of age. He was a Spanish-American War veteran and a veteran newspaperman and writer. His newspaper work had made him known throughout the country.
Mr. Manker leaves, besides his widow, two sisters, Helen Thompson of San Francisco, and Mrs. Loren Warner [Ethel] of Twin Falls, Idaho.