Mrs. W. V. Parks, of Chicago, who arrived last week to attend the funeral of her father in Conway, is visiting at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Tracy.

[Fleming, Levi]

Taylor County Republican

Thursday    May 8, 1884     p. 1

Obituary

Death of Levi Fleming

Levi Fleming died at his residence in this city on Tuesday evening, the 6^th inst., at 8:30, after a long and painful illness.  He was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, on the 6^th of October 1801, and was therefore at the time of his death, in his eighty-third year.  His parents removed to Ohio when he was four years old and he was married in that State on the 19^th of September 1822, to Miss Nancy [Jane] Kissler [Kistler].  He embraced Christianity in 1825 and commenced to preaching about the year 1828, serving a congregation at West Lebanon, Indiana, as elder and preacher for five years.  In 1840 he removed to Shelby County, Illinois, and preached as an evangelist until 1848, when he removed to Davis County, Iowa, settling near Drakesville, at which place he served as an elder for twenty years.  His wife died on the 15^th of April 1857.

On the 7^th of February 1858, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Dunlavy, mother of the Dunlavy brothers of this city.  In 1875 he moved to West Grove, Davis County, Iowa, here he resided for one year with Dr. Dunlavy.  In the spring of 1876 he removed to Bedford, where, being stricken with paralysis, he ceased his labors as a minister of the gospel.  For several years past he has been a great though uncomplaining sufferer, bearing his affliction with a degree of resignation and fortitude truly wonderful.  Having lived a pious and useful life, he seemed ready and willing to pass to the future world.  His disease was occlusion of the bowels, probably caused by paralysis.

The deceased leaves a large family to mourn his loss.  Two sons, E. [lijah] P.[urviance] and B.[arton] S. [tone] Fleming reside in Des Moines.  D. [aniel] H.[all] Fleming, another son, formerly of this city, now resides in Smith County, Kansas.  A daughter, Mrs. A.  [l] G. Van Orstrand [Norstrand] [Nancy Jane], also resides in Kansas.  Mr. E.[leazer] Fleming, of Gravity, was the only son present during his last illness.  J.[ohn] A. [ndrew] Fleming, who embraced his father’s calling---the ministry---, died about four years ago.  Mrs. James McCracken [Sarah Anne], a daughter, died about four months ago, since which time Mr. McCracken resided with his father-in-law up to the time of his death.  The faithful wife and her sons, Dr. H. [enry] F. [rancis] Dunlavy, Elder W.[illiam] L. [ee] Dunlavy and Levi Dunlavy, Esq., have rendered such care as only loving kindness could suggest, and the long years of painful sickness have been passed without a murmur or word of complaint on the part of him who has gone, but who has left the record of a noble life behind.

The funeral will take place today at 11 o’clock a. m., from the residence of the deceased, and, in accordance with his request, the remains will be interred in the Lexington cemetery.

[Fleming, Sanford]

Times-Republican

Thursday     November 18, 1915    p. 8

The funeral services of Sanford Fleming, who died Monday morning, will be held Thursday afternoon at the M. E. church.  Mr. Fleming was a prominent Mason, being Worshipful Master of the lodge at this place, and the services will be conducted by that order.  The deceased leaves a wife, two daughters, Mrs. Amy Rickard of Gravity, Iowa, and Mrs. Clara Sheldon, of Morgantown, W. Va.  Mr. Fleming had been seriously ill for some time, cancer of the stomach being the cause of his death.

[McCracken, Sarah Anne Fleming]

Taylor County Republican

Thursday    August 2, 1883

----As we go to press, the announcement is made of the death of Mrs. James McCracken [Sarah Anne Fleming], who has been lying ill with cancer for several months.  This sad but not unexpected event occurred on Wednesday at about half past twelve o’clock.  An obituary notice will appear next week.

[McCracken, Sarah Anne Fleming]

Taylor County Republican

Thursday    August 9, 1883

Obituary

Died, in Bedford, on Wednesday, the 1^st inst., Mrs. Sarah A. [nne] McCracken, wife of James McCracken, aged 45 years, 8 months and 8 days.

The deceased was born in Warren County, Indiana, on the 29^th of November, 1837, and was the daughter of Rev. Levi Fleming.  When she was about three years old the family removed to Davis County, Iowa, and there resided until March, 1861, when the deceased was married to Mr. James McCracken.  Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McCracken removed to this county, and after residing here for about two years, removed to the Pacific coast.   After remaining there for about six years they returned to Taylor County, where they have resided ever since.  Mrs. McCracken was taken ill last fall, and it was not long until it was discovered that her disease was of a fatal character for which nothing more than a temporary alleviation could be hoped.  It was characterized by severe suffering, which was borne with great patience and resignation.

The deceased was a member of the Christian church, with which she united at the age of fourteen years and her church relationship was maintained with steadfast earnestness and consistency until her death.

As a wife and mother, Mrs. McCracken was devoted and affectionate in a very high degree,, and in all the relations of life she filled the place that an earnest, sympathetic and benevolent Christian woman must fill.  She will be greatly missed by all who know her and her loss is a loss to the entire community.

A husband and three children are left to mourn her irreplaceable loss.

[Fleming, Eleazar]

Times-Republican

Thursday    February 19, 1903    p. 3

An Obituary

The Life of An Old Resident of This County Reviewed by His Friend and Pastor

The deceased---Eleazar Fleming---was born in Warren County, Indiana, June 8, 1835.  Died at his residence near Gravity, Iowa, of typhoid-pneumonia, February 8, 1903.

He moved with his parents from his native state to Illinois in 1838, thence to Davis County, Iowa, in the spring of 1848.  There were ten children, two having died in infancy, John Andrew, Elijah [Purviance], Mrs. Eliza Fleming and Mrs. Sarah A.[nne] McCracken all having died after arriving to years of maturity.  The living members of this family are Daniel H. [all] Fleming in Smith County, Kansas; Barton S. [tone] Fleming, living in southwest Missouri, and Mrs. Nancy S. Van Nordstrand, who resides in Des Moines, and was in attendance at the funeral.

December 29, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. [nn] Blazier [Blazer], of Drakesville, Iowa.  To this happy union was born three children, [Levi] Archie, Mrs. Ettie [Marietta] Toler and Mrs. Allie [Nancy Almeda Seibert] Ambrose.  Bro. Fleming was the first of his family to enter the eternal city.

He came to Taylor County, Iowa, about forty-one years ago, where [he] has resided the most of his time since, having served as county clerk during 1873-4.

He embraced Christianity and united with the Christian church when he was about seventeen years old; loved the cause of Christ, and took much interest in talking with his friends about the comforting influence found in the religion of Christ.  He stated to me personally, recently, that one of the reasons for his seeming indifference toward the church was not because he disliked his brethren, but because the modern church had introduced so many worldly experiences into its services, contrary to the original apostolic worship, that they had destroyed much of the original peace and comfort to him that once so largely prevailed in the church of Christ.

I think many of Bro. Fleming’s near friends misunderstood him in purpose and design.  They took him to be stingy, miserly and covetous, when, in reality, the wonderful energy and industry exercised by him, even to his own physical discomfort, was that he nor his family might never see a time when they could not meet their financial obligations, thus having debts unpaid and looked upon as financial deadbeats or beggars.  This idea was no doubt borrowed from his father, who was often heard to quote the language of the apostle Paul, 1 Tim. 5:8: “But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.”

He was a man of very strong passions, yet held them under such perfect restraint and government that they were seldom ever manifested or seen by his most intimate friends.  I have been intimately and personally acquainted with Bro. Fleming for more than forty years (being step-brothers), and I never heard him speak an unkind word about anybody; never knew him to misrepresent the truth about anything in the least.  Nor I never discovered in him a dishonest spirit or a disposition to deceive others or to entertain a spirit of malice toward those whom he thought had wronged him.  He was willing to forgive and ask forgiveness for wrong done.

I never knew him to act as a talebearer or tattler, carrying news from one person to another, what was calculated to generate strife, or cause trouble among his neighbors or brethren in the church.  He was peaceable, kind, patient, cheerful, and very energetic in disposition.

I feel sure that in the death of Bro. Fleming the community has lost one of its best and most substantial citizens.  The funeral services were conducted by the writer and S. R. Campbell, pastor of the Christian church, on the following Tuesday evening at 2 o’clock, a large audience of sympathizing friends being present, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Gravity cemetery.

                                                                                    W. [illiam] L. [ee] Dunlavy

[Fleming, Sarah Ann Blazer]

Times-Republican

Thursday    January 10, 1918    p. 8

Sarah Ann Blazer Fleming

Another well known resident of Taylor County has passed to her reward, Sarah Ann Blazer Fleming, daughter of Abraham [Jacob] and Susan [Susanna Smith] Blazer, was born near Morganville, Morgan County, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1837 and departed this life Jan. 3, 1918, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. B. [enjamin] A.[lpheus] Toler [Marietta] of Blue Grove, aged 80 years, 4 months and 3 days.

She was united in marriage to Eleazar Fleming Dec. 29, 1856.  To this union were born three children:  one son, [Levi] Archie Fleming, and two daughters, Mrs. Allie [Nancy Almeda Seibert] Ambrose and Mrs. B. [enjamin] A. [lpheus] Toler [Marietta].  She, with her husband, moved to Maryville, Mo. in 1859.  In the spring of 1863 they moved to a farm southeast of Gravity.  From there they moved to what is known as the Fleming farm, one-half mile east of Gravity, where they resided until the death of her husband, Feb. 8, 1903; after which she has made her home in Gravity.

On May 18, 1917 the deceased, while making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Ambrose of Gravity, accidentally fell, fracturing her hip.  Later she was removed to the home of her daughter, Mrs. B. [enjamin] A. [lpheus] Toler [Marietta] of Blue Grove.  Although the best medical skill and nursing were employed, she suffered through months, when finally life gave way and she went home to God, where suffering will be no more.

At the age of sixteen she was converted in the M. E. church then united with the Christian church soon after her marriage, continuing in the faith for sixty years, looking forward in the hope to meeting the loved one gone before.

There remains to mourn her loss, besides the one son and two daughters, one sister, Mary E. Cavender of Gravity, six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and her many friends with whom she associated these many years.

A precious one from us has gone,

A voice from us is stilled;

A place is vacant in our home

Which never can be filled.

The funeral was held at the Blue Grove church Saturday January 5^th.  The services were conducted by Elder J. D. Corbitt, pastor of the Christian church, Cumberland, Ia., and a special friend of the family, assisted by Elder C. Shaw, pastor of Blue Grove church, after which the body was laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Gravity cemetery to await the Resurrection.

[Fleming, Alma Lydia Stanger]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 11, 1982     p. 8

Alma Fleming Dies Monday, November 8

Alma Fleming, age 78, of Lenox, died at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines on Monday, November 8.

Services will be held Thursday November 11 at 10:30 a. m. at the United Methodist Church in Lenox with Reverend Lester Hesseltine officiating.

Interment will be in the West Fairview Cemetery at Lenox.

[Fleming, Alma Lydia Stanger]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 18, 1982    p. 8

Alma Fleming, 78, Final Rites Held In Lenox, Nov. 11

Funeral services for Mrs. Marvin (Alma Lydia) Fleming, 78, of Lenox, held November 11 in United Methodist Church in Lenox, were officiated by Rev. Lester Hesseltine.  Mrs. Fleming died in Des Moines November 8, 1982.  Interment was at West Fairview Cemetery, Lenox.

Alma Lydia Fleming, the daughter of Daniel and Katharina Haering Stanger, was born on December 20, 1903, near Lenox, Iowa.  She attended Grove School #6 and was a member of the Blue Grove Christian Church, later transferring to the United Methodist Church in Lenox.

On January 6, 1929, she was united in marriage with Marvin Fleming at Lenox, Iowa.  This marriage was blessed with the birth of three children.

Alma was preceded in death by her husband in November of 1950; her parents; two brothers and three sisters.

She is survived by her son, Robert, and his wife, Mary Ann, of Des Moines; two daughters:  Joan Thompson and her husband, Vernal, of Lenox and Leota DeVoe and her husband, Doyle, of Bedford, Iowa; 11 grandchildren; Joe, Sue, David and Karen Fleming, Rick Thompson and wife Genelle, Gary Thompson and wife Lynne, Cheryl Murphy and husband Jim, Steve DeVoe and wife Chris, Sandy Piercy and husband GL, Mike and Ken DeVoe; five great grandchildren; brother, Frank Stanger, and his wife, Martha, of Lenox; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.

[Hamblin, Anna Sarah Kenyon]

Times-Republican

Thursday    February 19, 1903    p. 6

Old Age and Death

One of the Oldest Residents of This County, One of the Most Respected Is Called To Her Reward At a Ripe Old Age

Died, February 12, 1903, at her home near Sharpsburg, Iowa, Mrs. Anna S. Hamblin, wife of D. [aniel] W. [oodard] Hamblin.

Her lingering illness was borne without a murmur or complaint and the final summons found her ready and willing go.  Surrounded by her husband and children, every wish was anticipated and supplied so far as human aid could minister.  Funeral services were held at the Sharpsburg Presbyterian church conducted by the pastor, Rev. C. A. Marshall.

Her husband, all her children, grandchildren and one great grandchild [were] present, also a brother W. A. Kenyon, of Albany, Mo.  A crowded house testified to the esteem with which she was held in the community.  The floral designs furnished by loving friends were artistic and beautiful; especially the broken wheel, which so mutely portrayed life’s journey, ended.  And those who looked upon her peaceful repose were able to realize that,

“He giveth His beloved sleep,”

Beautiful spirit free from all stain,

Ours the heartache, the sorrow and pain,

Thine is the glory and infinite gain----

Thy slumber is sweet.

Peace on the brow and the eyelids calm,

Peace in the heart ‘neath the white

folded palm.

Peace dropping down like a wondrous

balm,

From the head to the feet.

She was laid to rest in the Gravity cemetery beside her two children gone before.

Memoir

Anna Sarah Kenyon was born in Cayuga County, New York, March 3, 1822, died February 12, 1903, at Sharpsburg, Iowa, aged 80 years, 11 months and 9 days.  She received a good academic education and for ten years was a very successful teacher in the common schools of her neighborhood.

She was married the 19^th day of November 1850, to D. [aniel] W. [oodard] Hamblin.  Moved to Taylor County, Iowa, in the spring of 1857 with her family and located in Washington Township.

Courageously enduring and overcoming the privations and difficulties incident to pioneer life, her sympathies and energy led her many times to lay aside her own cares and go to the assistance of those who were sick or in affliction, cheering them with her words, aiding them with her hands and substance, and unselfishly ministering to their wants.

Her experience as a teacher was directed to the teaching of her own, and her neighbors’ children for several winters.  She was a birthright member of the Orthodox Society of Friends, and in her earlier years experienced the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit.  She united with the Congregational Church of Summer Hill, N. Y., in the spring of 1853.

After coming to Iowa she united with the Presbyterian Church at Bedford soon after its organization.  At the time of her decease she was a member of the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church.  She has led, we believe, a truly conscientious Christian life.  Her words and example have been uplifting and helpful.  She leaves besides her husband three sons, Horace K. [enyon] of Bedford, Arthur A.[llen], Gravity and Frank [lin] L. [ee], Sharpsburg.

Her physical powers have been failing for several years, until as a shock of corn in its season is gathered by the reapers, has she been taken, to enter into that rest that remains to the people of God.        C.

[Hamblin, Amasa Lewis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 12, 1957     p. 8

Gravity News

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Mathews of Clarinda attended the Amasa [Lewis] Hamblin funeral here Wednesday.

Dr. Ray Hamblin of St. Joseph, Mo., attended the funeral of his brother, Amasa [Lewis] Hamblin here Wednesday.

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Meyers of Northboro attended the Amasa [Lewis] Hamblin funeral Wednesday.

[Hamblin, Eliza McWilliams]

Times-Republican

Thursday    March 16, 1916    p. 3

Eliza McWilliams Hamblin

Eliza McWilliams was born in Newtownards, Ireland, February 21, 1839.  She came to America with her parents, James and Elizabeth McWilliams in 1849.  They settled at St. Charles, Ill., where she resided at the time of her marriage to Dennis Hamblin, March 5, 1863, while he was home on furlough.  He returned to his regiment and remained until his final discharge on February 7, 1865.  Upon his return from the army services they moved to Taylor County, Iowa, where they at once engaged in farming.  In the spring of 1866 they moved onto a farm of their own, building a home from the raw prairie, where they remained until they moved to Sharpsburg in the fall of 1900.  In 1895 Mrs. Hamblin, with her husband, united the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church and lived a quiet exemplary Christian life.  She was the mother of four children, William Winslow, who was called home October 19, 1888; Mrs. Laura Smith, Mrs. Maggie West, Mrs. Clarissa Brown, all living in Marshall Township and were all present at the time their mother was called home.  One brother, David McWilliams, of St. Charles, Ill., also survives.  Mrs. Hamblin fell asleep March 5, 1916, on her wedding anniversary, aged 77 years and 13 days.  She was of Scotch-Irish descent, ever firm in her Christian faith, in her home life, she was true and faithful to her duties as a wife and mother, always devoting her energies to true homemaking.

The funeral was conducted from the late home by the Rev. C. W. McClelland Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock.  Interment took place at Conway beside her husband who died just a few weeks ago.

[Note: Newtownards, just east of Belfast, is now in the Ards district of Northern Ireland, but at this time was part of County Down, Northern Ireland.]

[HAMBLIN, ELIZA MCWILLIAMS]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, March 7, 1916
Mrs. Dennis Hamblin Dead.
Mrs. Dennis Hamblin, wife of the late Hon. Dennis Hamblin, who died a few weeks ago, died at the home of her daughter in Sharpsburg Sunday evening. Funeral services were held at her home in Sharpsburg this morning.

[Hamblin, Daisy Lee Brown]

Times-Republican

Thursday    February 19, 1920    [p. 1]

Mother and Child Dead

Taken from her home on earth to the “mansions not built with hands,” Mrs. Chester [Floyd] Hamblin passed away at her home near Sharps on Feb. 12, 1920, at 11:00 o’clock a. m.  On Feb. 11^th the home was made happy for one short hour by the arrival of a beautiful baby girl, who only lived one hour, when the death angel claimed the infant daughter.  The next day at the same hour the mother followed the dear one to that home where they will know no sorrow or pain.  All that kind relatives and loving neighbors could do to keep them here with us was done.  But He who watches over all called them to His Home, to the Home not made with hands, there to wait the judgment day, when they shall meet their loved ones left on this earth.

The bereaved father and husband and two small children, Vesta Lee, 10 years old, and Chester Wagner, aged 4 years, are left of the once happy family, to remember the loving mother’s life as a guide on life’s uneven journey, ending at the new Jerusalem, where our Savior wipes away all tears.

Miss Daisy Lee Brown was born east of Conway in this county on Sept. 1^st, 1879, and grew to womanhood in the county.  She was converted at the age of 16 and united with the Presbyterian Church at Sharpsburg, becoming an active working member in that community.  She was united in marriage to Chester [Floyd] Hamblin Oct. 5^th, 1904, since which time they have resided on their farm just west of Sharps.  By hard work and good management, they prospered and had just completed a fine modern home, fully equipped throughout and had just moved into it, where they expected to enjoy life during the few short years allotted to them, but the death angel stepped in and took the flower of the home.  The family have the sympathy of many friends in their great loss.

A short service was conducted by the Presbyterian minister of Sharpsburg at the home, after which the two bodies were followed to the cemetery by many sorrowing friends and laid away.

[Hale, Letha May Houck]

Times-Republican

Thursday    February 19, 1920    [p. 1]

A Good Woman Called

At 3 o’clock Tuesday afternoon the death angel visited the Hale home in the northwest part of Bedford and took from our midst Mrs. Letha [May Houck] Hale.

Mrs. Hale was 59 years old, was born in Bedford and made her home here all those years.  She was a woman who had many friends.  She leaves three children to mourn the loss of a good mother, two daughters and one son.  Her husband, Wm. [Asbury] Hale, and three children preceded her to that place from where none return.

Mrs. Hale had taken down with the flu about 10 days ago and everything was done that could be, but having a weak heart it was impossible to check the disease.  The children have the deepest sympathy of the entire community in the loss of their best friend on earth, Mother.

The funeral was held from the residence today and the body laid to rest in Fairview cemetery.  Obituary next week.

[Henry, French Gibson]

Times-Republican

Thursday    February 19, 1920    [p. 1]

Another Home Broken

French [Gibson] Henry, who resided on the Skinner farm just east of Bedford, was taken down with the flu about three weeks ago and which later developed into pneumonia, died at his home Tuesday evening.  It seems like this flu claims for its victims those who are the strongest.  Mr. Henry was a man strong physically and the very picture of health, but death is no respecter of persons.

Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock and interment will be at Fairview cemetery.

The grief stricken family have the sympathy of all in their great sorrow.  Obituary next week.

[Henry, French Gibson]

Times-Republican

Thursday    February 26, 1920    p. 6

French G. Henry

French G. [ibson] Henry was born near Little Rock, Ky., July 11, 1886.  He was a son of Patrick and Cornelia Henry.  He lived in Kentucky until 1903, when he came with the family to Lexington, Okla., residing there six years.  After one year spent in Platte County, Mo., he came to Bedford, Iowa, where the remainder of his earth life was spent.

October 9, 1915, at Maryville, Mo., he was united in marriage to Mrs. Grace Beson.  In that same month he became a Christian, becoming identified with the Christian church of Bedford, and remained in that fellowship until he was called away.  After two weeks of illness he quietly fell asleep at his home two miles east of Bedford, at 6 o’clock in the morning, Feb. 18, 1920.

He leaves to mourn his early going, his wife, six brothers and two sisters.

Two of his brothers, George and Bruce, attended the funeral service, which was held from the home on the afternoon of Feb. 20^th, conducted by his minister, E. E. Lowe.  Interment in Fairview cemetery.

A large concourse of friends gathered at the cemetery to show their esteem for a friend and brother.  French was brave in sickness and asked his wife to pray for his recovery, but it was not so to be.  He was a good husband, kind neighbor, and tried to do his duty in the church and home life.

Many mourn his, to us, untimely going and the sympathy of all go out to the wife, brothers and sisters.