| Taylor County, Iowa Obituaries |
|---|
| submitted by: Julia Johnson - juliajoh@usc.edu |
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday November 25, 1937 p. 3
M. W. Miller
Milton
Weston Miller, son of John
William and Mary Ann (Stair) Miller,
was born May 20, 1856 at old Quincy, Adams County, Iowa. He moved with his parents to Page
County in early childhood and spent the remainder of his life in Page and
Taylor counties.
On
July 4, 1876 he was married to Elizabeth Jane Acree. To
them were born three children, John Huston Miller, Lola Ann Reid, and William Weston Miller, all of Siam. Mrs. Miller
died July 14, 1918.
Surviving
with the children are six grandchildren.
They are Mrs. Mae Miller
Hatfield of Shamburg, Carl
Weston Miller of St. Joseph, Miss
Eva Miller of Des Moines, Floyd
Edward Miller, Atlantic, Iowa, William
Miller, Jr., of Siam, and Eldon
Weston Miller of Siam. Also four great granddaughters, Opal
Mae Miller, Evorene Lee Hatfield, Jean Ellen Hatfield, and Lola Nadine Miller; Mrs. Fannie Reid
Shields and her children of Siam,
and Willis Philpott of St.
Joseph, who were reared in the Reid home.
Mr.
Miller was the eighth of a family
of ten children, who with the parents have all, except two, passed to the Great
Beyond.
The
surviving brothers are the oldest, W. [illiam] F. Miller of Hopkins, Mo., and the youngest, E. M.
Miller of Shambaugh. Those preceding him in death are Elizabeth
Berringer, Amanda White, Sarah McPherren, Orlando T. Miller, McKensie E.
Miller, Quincy Miller, who died
when a small child and James Miller,
an enlisted Union soldier, at the age of 17.
He
was converted many years ago during a revival held by the Rev. McKinsey and was
baptized in the Church of Christ at Siam, where he retained his membership.
He
will always be remembered for his jovial disposition, his great love of good
music, his willingness to assist in all activities concerning the church,
community and his loved ones. He
was a respected citizen, a kind and helpful neighbor and a loving father, who
will be greatly missed by all. Mr.
Miller died at the home of his
son, John H. Miller at Siam,
Monday, Nov. 15, 1937 at the age of 85 years, 5 months and 25 days.
The
funeral services were held at the Church of Christ in Siam Thursday afternoon,
conducted by Rev. C. Max Buck of Bedford.
Burial was in the Siam cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday November 18, 1937 [p. 1]
Attend Johnson Funeral
Among
those from out of the city, who were here for the funeral services for Mrs.
Joe Johnson [Martha Wysong],
which were held Saturday, included the following, C. [harles] B. [enjamin]
Wysong, Mr. and Mrs. Elza Wysong, Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Wysong and daughter, Mrs. E. F. Bouse, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Fred Johnson of Pendleton, Oregon; Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Woods of Ottumwa; Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Griffith of Maryville; Mrs. Esper Standley and two daughters of Blockton.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday November 18, 1937 [p. 1]
L. E. Wyckoff Dies
L.
[ouis] E. [lmer] Wyckoff, 71, a
long-time resident and brick-mason of Bedford, died suddenly at his home in
Bedford about 11 oÕclock Monday night, Nov. 15.
The
funeral services will be held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 2:30 oÕclock
Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. C. Max Buck. Burial will be in the Fairview cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday November 18, 1937 [p. 1]
Jack
Ford, a resident of Bedford for
many years, died at the hospital in Clarinda, Tuesday, Nov. 16. He had been confined in the hospital
since 1902. The body was brought
to Bedford for burial.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday December 23, 1937 [p. 1]
Grant Fordyce Dies
Grant
Fordyce, 70, died Dec. 13 in
Lakeland, Florida. He was a
grandson of Benson Fordyce,
and as a boy resided in Bedford.
Times-Republican
Thursday July 4, 1907 p. 8
Her Sufferings Ended
Ruby
Payton, the 10 year old daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. [Samuel] Lloyd Payton [Inez Parrish] , died at their home in Gay Township at 6 oÕclock
Tuesday morning.
Ruby had been ill for a long time and for weeks the
knowledge that she could not recover has been slowly forcing itself upon her
agonized parents and friends. She
made a long hard fight for life, aided by all that human skill and loving
hearts could suggest. But all was
in vain. The grim reaper had
marked her for his own, nor love nor skill could ward off his cold and clammy
hand.
The
date of the funeral is Wednesday, July 3d at 10 a. m., at the home on east Gay
Street. Interment at Fairview.
Bedford Free Press
Thursday July 11, 1907 p. 5
Obituary
Miss
Ruby Payton, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. S. [amuel] L. [loyd] Payton
[Inez Parrish] of Gay Center,
was born January 17, 1896, in Gay Township, Taylor County, Ia., where she lived
until her death, which occurred July 2, 1907.
Ruby was a girl who gave much promise of a successful
life. She possessed a sweet
amiable disposition and manifested a womanly grace, which was much in advance
of her years. Last November,
during a special meeting held in the Gay Center schoolhouse, she, with some
others, acknowledged Christ as her Savior and united with the M.E. church at
that place.
Ruby was a long and patient sufferer before the death
angel relieved her. In her death
she passed to her larger and nobler life, leaving deep sorrow in the Payton
home. Possessing as she did a
tender heart, pure character and loving favor at the time of her death, her
life has not been lived in vain.
The memory of such a life seeks to heal the wound so keenly felt by
those who loved her most. The
mother [Ôs] heart has been broken, the strength of fatherly fortitude has been
tested, the friendly circle of brothers and sisters has been invaded, while
Heaven has added a new jewel. The
parents and all relatives have the most sincere sympathy of all who know
them. RubyÕs funeral was
held from her home Wednesday, July 3, at 10 a. m., and was conducted by Rev.
Alfred Knoll of Blockton, assisted by Rev. W. B. Thompson of Bedford. Interment in Bedford cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday September 5, 1940 [p. 1]
Ellis P. Titus, 75, Former Resident, Dies
Ellis
P. [hilip] Titus, 75, a former
resident of Bedford and brother of Mrs. W.[illiam] H. [enry] Kemery [Luvira] of this city, died at his home in Clark, S. Dak., Monday, after
having been in failing health for some time.
The
body is being brought to Bedford and short services will be held at the Kemery
home some time Friday and burial will be in the Bedford cemetery.
Mr.
Titus and his family moved to
South Dakota in 1910, where he was engaged in the real estate and insurance
business.
Surviving
with the wife and sister are a daughter and two sons: Mrs. L. D. Collins [Ruth] of Hollywood, Calif., Francis Phillip Titus and Reid Titus of San Francisco, Calif. Another son, Worth W. [ebb] Titus, died in 1926 and his sister, Mrs. J. [ames]
P. [erry] Opdylke [Julia] of
Billings, Okla., died some time ago.
Mrs.
Titus and son Reid and his wife arrived here today for the burial
services.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday May 16, 1935 p. 4
Richard Query, 83, Died At Nodaway
Funeral
services for Richard Query,
83, who died at his home in Nodaway, Sunday, April 28, were held the following
Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church in Nodaway, conducted by Rev. Wayne
Emry, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. Ray Cornwell, pastor of the
Presbyterian church. Burial was in
the Nodaway cemetery.
Richard
Query was born Jan. 3, 1852 in
Chatham, Ontario, Canada. He was
the son of James and Elizabeth [Dowd] Query and a member of a family of eight children, six
of whom preceded him in death. He,
with his parents, spent the greater part of his boyhood in the lumber woods in
Michigan, later moving to Illinois, from which place he went in a covered wagon
to the White Oak district near Nodaway, Iowa.
He
was married Dec. 6, 1876 to Miss Amy Pierson. To
them were born six children, two of whom preceded their father in death. One son died in infancy and one
daughter, Elizabeth [Mary] Gray,
died in 1919. Mrs. Query died in November, 1933.
Mr.
Query was the father of Mrs.
Fred Melvin [Margaret] of Bedford.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday July 11, 1974 p. 3
Frank Query, 82, Rites Held June 26
Funeral
services for Frank Query, 82,
of Villisca, were held June 26 at the Wolfe Funeral Home, Villisca, Ia.,
conducted by Rev. Eldon Haworth. Mr.
Query died at the Methodist
Hospital in Omaha, Nebr., on June 24, 1974. Graveside services were conducted by Montgomery Lodge No.
270 A. F. & A. M., Villisca.
Frank
[Leroy] Query, son of Levi and
Sarah M. [ary Bane] Query, was
born at his parentsÕ farm in Montgomery County, Iowa, Feb. 27, 1892.
On
March 11, 1917, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Freeland of Villisca. To this union a daughter, Norma Joan, was born.
He
is survived by his wife, Margaret;
daughter Mrs. Francis (Norma) Frey;
two grandchildren; four great grandchildren and also Tom Freeland and Marcia Freeland Crump, who grew up in the home.
He
was a ruling elder in the Bedford Presbyterian Church for many years while
living on his farm near here. He
was a Past Master, Past High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons, Past Patron of
the Order of the Eastern Star and also a member of the White Shrine.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday November 25, 1937 p. 3
C. C. Wolcott
Chester
Clark Wolcott, son of Moses H.
[alsey] and Mary [Ann] Burney Wolcott,
was born Oct. 30, 1851 in Louisa County, Iowa, near Cotter and departed this
life at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L. [awrence] K. [night] Worrell at Conway, Iowa, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1937 at the age
of 86 years and 2 days.
He
was united in marriage April 8, 1875 to Eliza [Ellen] Edmondson who preceded him in death Jan. 9, 1928.
To
this union were born three children, an infant daughter who passed away in
1876; a daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Worrell of Conway; and one son, Glen Wolcott of Wabash, Ind.
His
early life was spent in Louisa County on the farm where he and his three
children were born. He moved with
his family to Page County in 1902 and located on a farm near College
Springs. After spending many years
there he moved to Clarinda, where he lived the remainder of his life, with the
exception of the past five months, when he went to Conway to live with his daughter.
He
joined the United Presbyterian church in his early years and remained with this
faith until death.
He
was a citizen of sterling quality and will be greatly missed by his many
friends and relatives.
Besides
the son and daughter he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Mary H. LePert of Dubuque, Iowa; eight grandchildren and four
great grandchildren.
Funeral
services were conducted at the Walker Funeral Home Thursday afternoon by Rev.
H. O. Lietman. Burial was in the
Clarinda cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday March 24, 1983 p. 4
Final Rites Held For
Centenarian
Graveside
services for Mrs. Lawrence (Gertrude) [Wolcott] Worrell, 102, of Glenwood, formerly of Gravity, Ia., were
held March 19 at Washington Cemetery, Gravity, following a 1 p. m. service in
Cutler Chapel in Council Bluffs. Mrs.
Worrell died March 13 in a
Council Bluffs hospital.
Her
husband, Lawrence, died in
1947.
Left
to cherish her memory are a son, Leonard, Fairfield, Ia.; four daughters: Berniece Fanning
of Gravity, Alice McNulty of
Cheyenne, Wyo., Beulah Worrell
of Glenwood and Martha Cheville
of Des Moines; 13 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 10 great great
grandchildren.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday April 10, 1941 [p. 1]
Ralph Helm Dies At Bedford Home
Ralph
Helm, who had been in failing
health for several months, died at the home of his parents in Bedford,
Saturday, April 5.
The
funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 11 oÕclock Monday
forenoon, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson. Burial was in the Graceland cemetery.
Ralph
Bowers Helm, son of Mr. and
Mrs. Roy Helm, was born August
28, 1914 at Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa, being aged 26 years, 7 months and 7
days at the time of his death.
He
spent his entire life in Bedford and community and attended the Bedford High
School. He was preceded in death
by one brother, Leslie, who
died in infancy.
He
is survived by his parents; also five brothers and one sister: Orin Helm, Loran Helm and Hazel Helm of
Bedford, Glen Helm of Fort
Riley, Kans., Harley Helm of
Scottsbluff, Nebr., and Willard Helm of Stockton, Calif.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday July 2, 1964 p. 6
Levi Roy Helm Rites June 29
Funeral
services for Levi Roy Helm,
lifelong Bedford resident, held June 24 at Bedford Christian Church, were
conducted by Rev. Ivo Randels. Mr.
Helm died June 21 at Clarinda
Municipal Hospital. Interment was
at Graceland Cemetery, Bedford.
The
following obituary was included in the services:
Levi
Roy Helm was born Dec. 22, 1884
in Ross Township, Taylor County, and spent his whole life in or near Bedford,
Iowa.
He
was united in marriage to Eathel Bowers May 6, 1906, and to their union eight children were born; five of
them preceded him in death. Those
living are: Glen Helm, Winner,
So. Dak., Loran Helm, Red Oak,
Ia.; Mrs. Hazel Burch, Kansas
City, Mo.
He
was a member of the church, and since he was a lad has been a faithful
supporter and contender for the faith.
Those
who survive him are: his widow, Mrs. Eathel Helm, 13 grandchildren, six great grandchildren,
several nieces and nephews and many friends.
In
passing we note two outstanding traits of Brother RoyÕs. He had a passion for reading his Bible
and relied upon it for instruction in righteousness and comfort in
affliction. The other trait was
his unfailing devotion and husbandly care of his ailing wife. These are worthy of emulation.
Times-Republican
Thursday February 7, 1907
A Sudden Death
Byrum Helm, of Ross Township, A Victim of Heart Disease
Byrum
Helm, one of the best known
farmers and stock raisers of Taylor County, died suddenly at about noon today
of heart disease at his home in Ross Township. Mr. Helm
has been afflicted somewhat with this disease for some years, but that his
condition was serious none had reason to believe. So far as we can learn he was in apparently good health this
morning, and his death came without the slightest warning.
Mr.
Helm has lived in this county
since 1859 and no man was more highly regarded. His sudden death comes as a great shock to all his friends
and their most sincere sympathy goes out to those to whom he was near and dear. No funeral arrangements have been
announced.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday March 26, 1959 p. 4
Orin Helm Burial At Graceland Cemetery
Funeral
services for Orin Helm were
held at the Wetmore Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon, March 17. Rev. Elmer Baker of the Christian
Church officiated. Burial was in
Graceland cemetery.
Orin
Byrum Helm was born March 22,
1907 and passed away at the age of 51 years, 11 months, 22 days.
On
November 16, 1934 he was united in marriage to Hildred B. Soma of Clearfield, Iowa. To this union six children were born. He was a member of the Christian church
in Blockton.
Besides
his wife Hildred, he leaves
two daughters, Mrs. Marsha Matheny
of Blockton, Mrs. Sandra Osburn
of Hamilton, Bermuda; four sons, Fred L. Helm of Creston, Reed, John, James of the home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.
[evi] Roy Helm of Bedford; two
brothers and one sister, Loran Helm
of Red Oak, Glen Helm of
Winner, So. Dak., Mrs. Hazel Burch
of Kansas City, Mo.; two sons-in-law and three grandchildren, Wilbur Matheny and William Osburn, Sandra Jill and Joni Sue Matheny, William Wayne Osburn, Jr.
Orin was a devoted husband, father and son and will be
missed by those who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by four brothers.
Out-of-town
relatives here for the funeral included Mr. and Mrs. Edmond French, Granite City, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Henderson, Irondale, Mo.; Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Petty and
Ricky, Neosho, Mo.; Mr. and
Mrs. Duane Burch, Mike and Robert,
Kansas City; Mr. and Mrs. Loran Helm, Joan and John, Red Oak; Mr. and Mrs. Guy Bowers, Murray, Iowa.
[Ernest, Harriette
Belle Golding]
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday February 26, 1970 p. 4
Mrs. H. Ernest, 84, Rites Wednesday
Funeral
services for Mrs. Herman (Harriette) Ernest, 84, of Clarinda, were held Wed., Feb. 25, at
Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford.
Mrs. Ernest died
February 23, 1970 at Clarinda Municipal Hospital. Interment was at Fairview Cemetery, Bedford.
Bedford Free Press
Thursday July 11, 1907 p. 5
James Estel Thomas Dead
James
Estel Thomas died at the home of
his grandmother, Mrs. Hugh Thomas, in the south part of Bedford, on Saturday
morning, July 6th, 1907, aged 12 years, 10 months and 8 days, from
heart failure, caused by an affection of the brain. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Silas H. Thomas, living just
east of town on a farm, and was the idol of the home. He was the proud hope of fond and loving parents and they
are the recipients of the deepest sympathy in this, their hour of almost
irreconcilable grief. In order
that he might have the best of medical attention, he was some time ago brought
to the home of his grandmother, and there everything that loving hands and
medical skill could do was done for him but to no avail and death finally
relieved him of his pain, which he had been bearing with the fortitude of one
much older.
The
funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 3 oÕclock from the residence where he
died, conducted by Elder Edgar Price, and the remains were laid gently to rest
in Bedford cemetery.
Taylor County
Herald
Thursday May 25, 1944 [p. 1]
James Preston Dies; Last Rites Are Held
James
Leslie Preston, 54, died at the
Clarinda Municipal Hospital Sunday morning following an illness of several
months.
A
veteran of World War I, he was well known in Taylor County where he was engaged
in farming near Gravity for a number of years. For the last several years he has worked in various
institutions and was employed at the Clarinda State Hospital when he became ill
a few months ago. His father, Thomas
Preston of Gravity and a sister, Mrs.
Stella Petrie of Kansas City,
survive. Last rites were conducted
by the Rev. Z. M. Bressler from the Methodist church in Gravity Tuesday
afternoon with military services in charge of the Graham Short Post No. 578. Interment was made in the Gravity
cemetery.
Taylor County
Herald
Thursday May 18, 1944 p. 4
Mrs. Fluke Dies; Last Rites Held
Last
rites, conducted by Rev. J. E. M. Chambers of Blockton, were held at the
Methodist church in Platteville Sunday afternoon for Mrs. May Fluke, 85, who died May 10 at her home near Athelstan.
She
was preceded in death by her husband and a son. Surviving are her three sons, Darrah Lee
and Charles Thomas of Blockton
and Meredith K. [ay] of
Bedford.
Interment
was made in the Platteville cemetery.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday October 19, 1950 p. 4
Services Held Monday For
Fred L. Levine
Fred
L. [eroy] Levine, 64, of Omaha,
died there Thursday afternoon, Oct. 12.
The funeral services were held Monday forenoon and the body was brought
to Bedford for interment in the Fairview cemetery.
He
is survived by five sons, Jack
of Des Moines, Robert of New
York, Dick of Chicago, Bill and Fred, Jr., of Omaha.
Also by a sister, Miss Edna Levine of Colorado Springs, and a brother, Walter Levine of Bedford.
His wife died several years ago.
Mr.
Levine is a former resident of
Bedford.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday October 19, 1950 p. 4
Mrs. Frank N. Boyd Dies Following Fall
Mrs.
Frank N. Boyd [Minnie Denser],
83, a former resident of Bedford, died in a Des Moines hospital Sunday,
following injuries received in a fall near her home in West Des Moines on
Wednesday of last week.
The
funeral services were held in Des Moines Wednesday forenoon, and the body was
brought to Bedford for interment in the Fairview cemetery, where graveside
services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 oÕclock.
She
is survived by her husband and two daughters, Beth, now Mrs. Stephen Olop of Los Angeles and Miss Frances Boyd of West Des Moines. One daughter, Nellie, preceded her mother in death.
Bedford Times-Press
Thursday October 31, 1957 p. 7
Frank Boyd Died In Des Moines
Frank
[N.] Boyd, 93, a native of
Bedford and a resident here many years, died in Des Moines, Monday, October 21,
after having been in failing health for several years.
Last
rites were held at the McLeran Funeral Home in Des Moines Wednesday, October 23
and the body was brought to Bedford for burial in Fairview cemetery.
Mr.
Boyd was born on a farm northeast
of Bedford to John S. [aylor] and Eliza Boyd and is the last of the family to be taken. His wife, the former Miss Minnie
Densher of Bedford, died seven
years ago. A daughter, Nell,
Mrs. Milton Ross, also preceded
him in death.
He
is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Beth Olop of Carmel, Calif., Mrs. Frances Lack of Des Moines; also by one grandson, Milton
Ross, Jr., of Chicago; and by
three great grandchildren.
Times -
Republican
Thursday Aug 6, 1914 [p. 1]
Pioneer
Official Is Called By Death
John S.
Boyd, County
Surveyor and Superintendent of Schools
Served
County In Sixties
Organized
and Taught First School in Marshall Township---Walked Into the County
John S. [aylor] Boyd, a pioneer official in Taylor County, died at his residence in
Bedford at 4:30 o'clock Tuesday morning, after an illness of about two weeks. Mr.
Boyd organized and
taught the first school in Marshall Township in 1857.
In 1859, 1860, 1861, Mr. Boyd served as county surveyor, those being days when there
was work for the county surveyor to do. He succeeded Josiah Litteer in that
office, and S.J. Hall followed him.
While the records can not be found, the best information
obtainable is that he served as county superintendent of schools in 1862 and
1863, and again in 1870 and 1871, the records showing the later service.
Mr. Boyd came to Taylor County July 30, 1857, walking from Mount Pleasant,
which was the railroad terminal at that time. By industry he accumulated a
large amount of land, and became one of the county's leading citizens. He held
a keen interest in public affairs up to the time of his last illness.
Funeral
services were held this morning at the residence, conducted by Rev. John A.
Currie, pastor of the First Presbyterian church. Interment was in Lexington
cemetery.
Native of New York
John Saylor Boyd was born in Watertown, Jefferson County, New York, June 14, 1835.
When three years of age he moved with his parents to Breckville, Ohio, twelve
miles south of Cleveland. He attended school at Berea, Ohio. March 21, 1860, he
was united in marriage to Similda E. [lton] Raynolds at the home of R. A. Mosier, on what
is now known as the John Wright farm north of Bedford. To this union were born
eight children, three of whom with the wife survive. The children were Mrs.
Alma R. Hough of
Conway, Frank N.
of Parsons, Kan., and Bruce B. of Los Angeles, Cal. He also leaves to mourn his death 9
grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. One daughter, Alice C., died in 1863, and in September,
1875, Eliza J., George M., and Martha B., died of diphtheria within twelve days of each other. Mrs.
Jessie E. [lton] Hook,
a daughter, the wife of G.[eorge] W. [illiam] Hook, died about two years ago.
Mr. Boyd was a member of the Presbyterian Church, having become a
Christian early in life. While he resided in Conway and vicinity he was
associated with the Methodist church.