Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com

[Harland, Adelbert]

Times-Republican

Tuesday    May 8, 1923    p. 4

Obituary

Adelbert Harland died at Powers Hospital at Clarinda, after being operated on for appendicitis April 30, at 6: 30 oÕclock, aged 35 years, 8 months and 14 days.  He leaves his wife, son, father and 5 brothers to mourn his loss.  He united with the Church of Christ, Oct. 21, 1921, and held membership with the Fairview congregation near Villisca, Ia.

The funeral services were held at the home.  The members of the I. O. O. F. and Rebekahs assisted in the service.  The funeral procession was about 1-¾ miles in length, showing the high esteem in which the deceased was held by all who knew him.  The sorrowing wife and little son have the sympathy of all who know them.  The body was laid to rest in the Villisca cemetery.  It was one of the largest funerals ever held in the neighborhood.

ÒIt singeth low in every Heart,

We hear it each and all;

A song of those who answer not,

However we may call.

They throng the silence of the

Breast,

We see them as of yore

The kind, the brave, the true, the

Sweet,

Who walk with us no more.

ÒTis hard to take the burden up,

When He has laid it down;

He brightened all the joy of life,

He softened every frown,

But, O, Ôtis good to think of Him

When we are troubled sore,

Thanks be to God that such have

Been,

Although they are no more,

More home-like seems the vast

Unknown

Since He has entered there,

To follow Him is not so hard

Wherever He may fare;

He cannot be where God is not,

On any sea or shore,

What eÕer betides thy love abides,

Our God forever more.

[

 

[Bradley, Bradford Jay]

Times-Republican

Tuesday    May 8, 1923    p. 4

Crossed the Divide

Bradford J. [ay] Bradley, son of H. [arvey] E. and S. [abry] E. [Gamel] Bradley, was born in Fountain Prairie, Columbia County, Wis., Sept. 27th, 1861, and passed away at Bedford, Iowa, May 3rd, 1923.

At the age of four years his father died, and at the age of six his mother moved to Oneida, Knox County, Illinois.  In July 1874, the family came to Iowa but later moved to Kansas where they made their home for about ten years, when they again returned to Iowa.

He was married to [Mary] Alice Beauchamp, July 26th, 1887, and six children were born to this union, Georgia, who passed away March 23, 1919, Mrs. Gertrude Nethers of Bedford, Arthur, who died at the age of five years, Lloyd, Pearl and Bethel, all of Bedford.

Besides these children he has in the immediate family six grandchildren, one brother, H. [arvey] E. [ugene] Bradley, two half-brothers, and one half-sister.

He joined the church at the age of twenty and at the time of his death was a member of the Gilead church.  Until his health failed, he was a faithful attendant at the regular services of the church, at one time being Supt. of the Sunday school, and was a member of the Official Board for many years.

He had his first stroke of paralysis nine years ago and has been practically helpless since that time.  Through it all he has been a patient sufferer and his faith in God never wavered.  He was a good man and lived a true type of Christian life, and God has called him to his reward.

Funeral services were held at the M. E. church Saturday at 1:30 p. m., conducted by Rev. Gable, after which the body was consigned to its last resting place in Graceland cemetery west of Bedford.

[BRADLEY, BRADFORD JAY]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, May 8 1923
H. E. Bradley, who was called here on account of the death of his brother, B. J. Bradley, returned to his home in Maryville, Saturday.

[Meredith, Serena Malhala ÒRenaÓ Richardson]

Times-Republican

Tuesday    May 8, 1923    p. 4

Obituaries of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Wallace Meredith

Serena Mahalley [Malhala] Richardson was born in Keokuk County, Iowa, September 9, 1856, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ralph McPherrin, April 16, 1923, at the age of 66 years, 5 months and 6 days.

She was married to Edwin Meredith at the home of her sister, Mrs. Kate Estle, in Holt Township, Feb. 4, 1880.  To this union was born six children, Dollie, dying when only two years old, Willie Meredith of Akron, Colo.; Mrs. Frank Houchin [Francena Ethel], Mrs. Ralph McPherrin [Maggie Jane], Clarence Meredith of Gravity; and Mrs. Dove Miller of Kansas City, and fifteen grandchildren, four [of] which preceded her to the better land.

Mrs. Meredith united with the Methodist church in 1879 at the Holt Center schoolhouse, afterward moving her membership Oak Hill church, of which she was a charter member.  She moved to Gravity in the year 1920 where she attended church and Sunday school.  She has been a constant sufferer for the past nine years; her eyesight began to fail about three years ago, when she was unable to read or write, which made it very lonesome for her.  She took care of the home the best she could till three months ago.  She was moved to her daughterÕs, Mrs. Ralph McPherrin, seven weeks ago, where she grew worse.  She was taken care of by her husband and children and all was done for her that loving hands could do till death came very peacefully.  She leaves three brothers and two sisters to mourn her loss, Benjamin Richardson of Gravity, Ia.; John Richardson of Akron, Colorado; R. Richardson of Gravity, Iowa; Kate Estle of Gravity, Iowa, and Francena Fry of South English, Iowa, and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives, besides a host of friends and neighbors.  She is gone but not forgotten, especially by her little grandchildren, whose welfare was her constant care.

[Meredith, Edwin Wallace ÒEdÓ]

Times-Republican

Tuesday    May 8, 1923    p. 4

Obituaries of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Wallace Meredith

Edwin Wallace Meredith was born in Mason Township, Taylor County, Iowa, July 18, 1858, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Houchin, April 27, 1923, at the age of 64 years, 9 months and 9 days.

He was married to Serena Mahalley [Malhala] Richardson February 4, 1880.  To this union were born six children, Dollie dying in infancy.   Those living are Willie Meredith, Akron, Colo.; Mrs. Frank Houchin [Francena Ethel], Mrs. Ralph McPherrin [Maggie Jane] and Clarence Meredith of Gravity; Mrs. Dove Miller of Kansas City.  Fifteen grandchildren, four preceding him to the better land.

Mr. Meredith united with the Baptist church when a young man.  Ed, as he was always called, was ever ready and willing to give a helping hand to those in need.  Just a few days before his death he told his daughter Ethel that his great desire was to make heaven his home and be with his wife.  He also said he knew he fell short in a great many ways but he had done the best he could.

He leaves four brothers.  Those living are T.  [homas] A. [ddison] Meredith, Bedford, Ia.; S. [amuel] L. [ucian] Meredith, Humansville, Mo.; W. [illiam]  A.[lvin], of Los Angeles, Calif.; G. H. of Jamison, Mo.  J. [oseph] C. [arroll] died in Florida.  Fannie Caroline, only sister, died in infancy.  He leaves a number of nieces and nephews and neighbors and friends to mourn the loss.

The funeral service was held in the Gravity Christian church Sunday afternoon, April 29, at two oÕclock and the body was laid to rest beside the newly made grave of his life companion.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. L. B. Carpenter of the Oak Hill church, the same pastor who conducted the funeral service of Mrs. Meredith ten days before.

At the request of Mr. Meredith the Royal Neighbors and Modern Woodmen of America attended the funeral service and assisted in the rites.  John Hanna conducted the funeral rites at the grave.

The funeral service was very largely attended and the church building proved much too small to admit all who wished to hear the service.

[Meredith, Edwin Wallace ÒEdÓ]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     May 3, 1923

Ed Meredith Killed Friday

Ed Meredith, 64 years of age, was killed last Friday morning near his home north of Gravity, when a team he was driving ran away.

He had loaded up some corn in a wagon on one of his farms and had placed a feed bunk on top of that and started with the load to his home place.  A ten-year-old boy, son of a hired man, was riding with him.  The team became frightened at the feed bunk and started to run.  Mr. Meredith lost his balance and fell under their feet while the little boy dropped off the wagon at the rear.  The heavy load passed over Mr. Meredith, breaking his leg and possibly inflicting internal injuries, but he did not lose consciousness.  The little boy ran to a nearby neighborÕs house and summoned help and the injured man was taken to the home of a daughter, Mrs. Frank Houchin, nearby.  Mr. Meredith showed remarkable presence and clearness of mind right up to the time of his death, which came in about two hours after the accident occurred while preparations were being made to take him to the hospital for treatment.   It is believed that the shock caused his heart to cease action.

He was one of the prosperous farmers of the county, having close to 600 acres of land in his name at the time of his death.   It is stated that he carried about $11,000 life insurance.

[MEREDITH, EDWIN WALLACE "ED"]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, May 1, 1923
Killed In Runaway Accident Near Gravity
Ed Meredith, Aged About 70 Years and a Wealthy Farmer, Dies Shortly After Accident. Leaves a Family of Five Children
Ed Meredith, one of Taylor county's best known citizens, and considered one of the wealthiest farmers in the county, came to his death Friday forenoon caused by a runaway accident. From reports given us it appears that Mr. Meredith was driving a rather spirited team and was going over to another one of his farms, he owning five in that vicinity. He was riding in a lumber wagon when the team became suddenly frightened and started to run away. The sudden lurch of the wagon unbalanced Mr. Meredith and he was thrown out of the wagon with great violence, sustaining a broken leg and other minor bruises. Help was at hand immediately afterwards and he was taken to his home, where it was at first thought his broken leg was the main trouble and it was planned to take him to the hospital. Mr. Meredith being conscious all the time and taking part in the consultation and plans to go to the hospital.
While arrangements were being made for the trip, Mr. Meredith suddenly seemed to take a turn for the worse and symptoms of internal injuries showed up and before anything could be did, he succumbed and gave up and passed away this life, living only about three hours after the accident occurred, but conscious to the end. Just whether the deceased was hurt internally or whether it was a sudden attack to the heart, of which he was subjected to at intervals, is a mere matter of guess work, no examination being made after his death.
This was the tragic ending of the heads of the Meredith family at Gravity, Mrs. Meredith, the wife of the deceased, being buried two weeks ago, after a lingering illness. The deceased leaves five children, all grown up, and also five brothers, Tom Meredith of this place being one of the five, and all being present at the burial services. The funeral was held on Sunday and the remains laid beside his wife in the Gravity cemetery.
Ed Meredith was perhaps one of the best known men in this section of the county, always active and vigorous in whatever he attempted to do. At times in his life he has taken an active part in politics and on these occasion, fought as vigorously for his side of the issues, as if it were a very part of his personal life. The deceased was a man of strong character, if a friend, steadfast to the end and to an enemy—an eternal foe. He was precise in all his business dealings and with a shrewd and keen foresight, along with his tireless energy had amassed a goodly fortune, besides, so we are informed, of carrying life insurance policies amounting to nearly $40,000. In the passing of Ed Meredith, Gravity and her community loses a valuable citizen and the children a devoted father and his tragic taking off cast a gloom over the entire community.

[MEREDITH, EDWIN WALLACE "ED"]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, May 1, 1923
Alonzo Meredith of Jameson, Mo., came Saturday to attend the funeral of his brother, Ed Meredith of Gravity.

[Meredith, Edwin Wallace "Ed"]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday    May 3, 1923    [p. 1]

Killed in Runaway.

Ed Meredith [Edwin Wallace] of near Gravity was almost instantly killed last Friday in a runaway. He was thrown to the ground, and the wagon, which we understand was loaded, passed across his hips, and so bruised him that death resulted. He was quite well known over the county, and his death is greatly deplored.

[Meredith, Clarence Edwin]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 15, 1971    p. 7

C. E. Meredith Rites July 7

Funeral services for Clarence Edwin Meredith, 81, of Bedford, held July 7 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Carl Cummings.  Mr. Meredith died July 4, 1971.  Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Clarence Edwin Meredith, son of Serena [Richardson] and Edward [Edwin] Meredith, was born near Gravity April 16, 1890.

He was married to Mary Emily Roberts April 15, 1914.  To this union three children were born:  Harvey Edwin of Omaha, Howard Woodrow of Bedford and St. Clair Geneva Erekson of Salt Lake City, Utah.

He was a farmer and spent most of his life on the old home place until 1940 when he moved to his present farm home near Bedford.

He united with the Oak Hill Church in 1914.  He enjoyed the sermons on television.

He had been in poor health for months and was in the hospital much of the time.

Besides his wife and children and sister, Mrs. Dave Ferger, he leaves eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, a host of relatives and friends who will miss him.

[Meredith, Mary Emily Roberts]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 1, 1973    p. 3

Mary Meredith Last Rites Held February 24

Funeral services for Mrs. Clarence (Mary) Meredith, 76, of Bedford, held February 24 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Carl Cummings.  Mrs. Meredith died February 21, 1973 at Colonial Nursing Home in Corning.  Interment was at Washington Cemetery, Gravity.

Mary Emily Roberts was born April 1, 1896, at Camden Point, Missouri, daughter of Robert E. [dward] and Nancy Jane Scott Roberts.

She moved with her parents to what is known as the old Remington farm west of Bedford when she was 13 years of age.  Later, they moved near Gravity.

She was united in marriage to Clarence Edwin Meredith April 15, 1914.  They moved to a farm near the Oak Hill Church where she became a member and attended during the time they resided in this community.

About 1940 they moved to a farm southeast of Bedford where they continued to reside until Mr. Meredith passed away July 4, 1971.

They were the parents of three children: Harvey Edwin of Omaha, Nebraska, Howard Woodrow of Bedford and St. Clair Geneva Erekson of Salt Lake City, Utah.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two half sisters, Maggie Roberts and Betty Lovelace; two brothers, George Edward and James William Roberts.

Left to cherish her memory are her two sons and one daughter; eight grandchildren; one great grandchild; and one brother, Charles Thomas Roberts.

Mrs. Meredith loved her family and friends, and she will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Meredith, William H.]

Taylor County Herald

Thursday   March 5, 1942    p. 8

William Meredith Rites At Gravity

Funeral services were Saturday from the Gravity Church of Christ for William H. Meredith, once a Taylor County resident but of late a resident of Washington County, Colorado.

Mr. Meredith died Monday, February 16, in a Denver hospital.

Once the sheriff of Washington County, Mr. Meredith left Gravity in 1906 to reside in Scottsbluff, Nebr.

Surviving are Lt. Kenneth M. Meredith, Ft. Benning, Ga., Delbert of Salmon, Idaho, and Mrs. Lulu Petty of Omak, Washington.

Rites were conducted by the Rev. Ben W. Sinderson.  Interment was in the Gravity cemetery.

[Kinney, George B.]

Times-Republican

Thursday   May 2, 1929    p. 3

Geo. B. Kinney

Geo. B. Kinney was born in Marion County, Ohio, March 3, 1836, and departed this life at his home in Bedford, Iowa, April 28, 1929, aged 93 years, 1 month and 25 days.  He enlisted in Co. E., [86th Illinois Infantry], Civil War, and served 3 years, 9 months and 21 days.  He was married at the close of the war, in 1865, to Miss Susie Brant at Chattanooga, Tenn.  Four children were born to this union, one dying in infancy.  Those surviving are Will of Woodruff, Kans., John of Omaha, Neb., and Mrs. Rose Pomeroy of Seattle, Wash.  He was again married to Mrs. Martha Brookover [Martha Ann Round], May 31, 1874 at Grant, City, Mo.  Six children were born to them, Birda Kinney who died Feb. 13, 1908; Valentine Kinney who met with an accidental death Oct. 17, 1924, and Mrs. Olive Woodard, who died April 19, 1927.  Those surviving the father are Mrs. Sarah Leonard, Mrs. Elmer Green [Emma Charlotte], and Mrs. J. W. Guthrie [Ida May] of St. Joseph, Mo.  Mrs. Beryl Robbins of Bedford also mourns the loss of Mr. Kinney as her father, as she was left in the care of her grandparents at the age of three years when her mother passed away.  There are 37 other grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.  Mr. Kinney was also preceded in death by two stepsons, George and Will Brookover.  Besides the children, grandchildren and the wife, who mourn the loss of a kind husband and father, he will be missed by many friends.  Mr. Kinney became a member of the Christian church in Nemaha, Neb., 34 years ago and united with the Bedford church Oct. 8, 1924.  He was active in the work of the church and loyal in attendance at its services until impaired health made it necessary for him to remain at home.

The funeral services were held at the Christian church at one oÕclock p. m., Tuesday, April 30, in charge of the minister, Rev. J. C. Harris.  Interment was made in the Bedford Cemetery.  The firing squad from the local Post of the American Legion fired a salute at the grave of Comrade Kinney, and ÒtapsÓ were blown by John Swap, the Spanish VetsÕ bugler.

[Kinney, Birda ÒBirdÓ]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    February 20, 1908    [p. 1]

Death of Miss Bird Kinney

Miss Bird [a] Kinney was born in Blue Springs, Neb., January 14, 1887, and died at the home of her parents in Bedford, February 13, 1908, aged 21 years and 1 month.  When 12 years of age she moved with her parents to Taylor County and two years later they moved to Bedford.  She leaves a father and mother, four brothers and five sisters, and a little girl of three years of age, to mourn her loss.  She united with the Berea Christian church, south of Bedford, when 13 years of age.

Her life, though brief, has been one of suffering and sorrow. During the last six months consumption has steadily made inroads on her failing physical strength and the loved ones who have watched constantly and faithfully at her side have felt that life was gradually slipping away.

The funeral was held Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. M. Dudley.  The sorrowing relatives have the sympathy of all in their hour of bereavement.

[KINNEY, BIRDA "BIRD"]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, February 20, 1908
Her Sufferings Ended
Bird Kinnie was born in Blue Springs, Neb., January 14, 1887 and died at the home of her parents in Bedford, Ia., February 13, 1908, at the age of 21 years and one month. She moved with her parents to Taylor county about 12 years ago and about two years after coming to this county they moved to Bedford, where with her parents she has resided for about ten years. She leaves besides her father and mother, four brothers and sisters and a little girl about three years of age.
She joined the Berea Christian church south of Bedford when she was 13 years of age. Her life though brief has been one of suffering and sorrow. During the last six months the dreaded and terrible disease of consumption has steadily made inroads upon her failing physical powers. During all this time her parents and loved ones have patiently cared for and nursed her only to feel that she was continuously slipping from them. The going out of her life was especially sad yet triumphant.  "D."

[Kinney, Birda “Bird”]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     February 13, 1908     p. 8

Death's Summons

Birda Kinney died this (Thursday) afternoon at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. [eorge] B. Kinney, after a long illness, age 21 years and 19 days.

The funeral services will be held at the M. E. church at 2:30 p. m. Saturday, conducted by Rev. Dudley. Interment at Bedford cemetery.

[Kinney, Martha Ann Round Brookover]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    August 16, 1934    [p. 1]

Mrs. Martha Kinney Dies Here Monday

Mrs. Martha Kinney, 92, died at her home in south Bedford Monday, Aug. 13, after a short illness.  The funeral services were held at the Church of Christ Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. C. Harris, assisted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell.  Burial was made in the Bedford cemetery.

Mrs. Kinney, who before her marriage was Miss Martha Ann Round, was born in Dodge County, Wisc., June 10, 1842.

She was married to Mr. Brookover.  To them were born three children.  One daughter died in infancy.  George Brookover and Will Brookover died a number of years ago.

She was again married May 31, 1874, to George Kinney at Grant City, Mo.  To them were born six children, Mrs. Sarah Leonard and Mrs. Emma Green, of Bedford, and Mrs. [Ida] Mae Guthrie of California; Mrs. Olive Woodard, Tine Kinney, and Birda Kinney, all deceased.  There is also one stepson, Will Kinney of Alma, Nebr.

Surviving with the three daughters are sixteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, and a half sister, Mrs. Lucy Brumfield of Blockton.  She was a member of the Christian church.  Mr. Kinney died several years ago.

Among those from out-of-town who attended the funeral services for Mrs. Martha Kinney in Bedford Wednesday afternoon, were:

Will Kinney, daughter, Mrs. Ethel Gregory, and two sons, Marion Kinney and Bob Kinney of Alma, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. George Woodard, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Lindstrom of Omaha; James Palmer and Nadine Palmer of Girard, Kans.; Rob Leonard, Mrs. Ollie McKinnis, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Leonard and three children, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Leonard, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Grace, Mrs. Frank Palmer and two children of St. Joseph.  Ezra Harrison, city treasurer of St. Joseph, was also present and sang two numbers at the funeral.

[Green, Emma Charlotte Kinney Bubb]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 18, 1952    [p. 1]

Mrs. Emma Green Died Unexpectedly

Mrs. Emma Green died unexpectedly at her home in west Bedford, Sept. 12.  Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred H. Cowles.  Burial was in Bedford cemetery.

Emma Charlotte Kinney, daughter of George and Martha [Ann Round] Kinney, was born at Platteville, Iowa, Dec. 1, 1878, and died at the age of 74 years, nine months and 11 days.

In 1902 she was married to Frank Bubb, and to them three children were born.  Mr. Bubb and the three children preceded her in death.

In 1906 she was married to Elmer Green of Parsons, Kans.  They moved to Bedford and made their home here.  To them five children were born.

She is survived by one son, Ernest H. Green of Bedford; two daughters, Mrs. Etta V. Walrath of Bedford, Mrs. Lucille Mockerman of Omaha; six grandchildren, four great grandchildren.

Besides her own children, she also reared a grandson, Ernest Bycroft of Norfolk, Va., since he was 3 years old.

[Green, Elmer Elsworth]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 1, 1945    p. 5

Elmer Green Dies At Home Here Friday

Elmer Green died at his home in Bedford Friday morning, February 23.  The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. G. L. Hufstader.  Burial was in the Bedford cemetery.

Elmer Elsworth Green, son of Timothy and Mary Green, was born in Marion County, Ohio, May 19, 1871, being aged 74 years, 9 months and 5 days at the time of his death.

He was married October 8, 1905 to Emma C. [harlotte] Kinney, at St. Joseph, Missouri.  To them were born five children, three of whom survive.

The survivors are his wife, Emma, and son Ernest, at home, Mrs. C. [larence] A. Mockerman [Lucille] of Omaha, Mrs. Etta Walrath of Bedford, six grandchildren, including Ernest Bycroft who was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Green, and is now in the U. S. Navy.  Also, one sister, Mrs. Etta Gordon, and one brother, Sam Green.

The last forty years of his life were spent in Bedford where he worked at his trade as painter and decorator.  Early in life he joined the Methodist church.

______________________________________________________

Attend Green Rites

Among those from out-of-town who were here for the funeral services for Elmer Green were Mrs. Etta Walrath, Mrs. Clarence Mockerman and family of Omaha; Claude Walrath of St. Joseph, Mo.  Ernest E. Bycroft, Ss, A. R. M., and Miss Ina Vincil of Norfolk, Va., arrived Wednesday and were here for the burial, which was delayed on account of muddy roads.