Preston Midkiff 1836-1905

MIDKIFF, AKERS, DALRYMPLE

Posted By: Kathy Kurth Holtry
Date: 1/18/2010 at 16:00:05

Manchester Press-July 13, 1905
Death of Preston Midkiff

Mr. Preston Midkiff, for some time past a resident of this city, but for many years a successful farmer in Hazel Green township, died at his home in the west side Sunday evening, July 9, 1905, after a short illness. Mr. Midkiff was 69 years of age. Short funeral services were held at the residence on Wednesday morning at 11:30 o'clock, followed by the service proper, held at the Bay church at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon. Rev. W. M. Styce, pastor of the United Brethen church of this city, was the officiating clergyman. Interment was made in the Bay cemetery.
Mr. Midkiff was taken ill last week Friday, but his condition was not thought alarming until the day of his death. He and his wife had planned to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, which fell on Saturday, but Mr. Midkiff's illness made it necessary to confine the invitations to members of the family, several of whom gathered at the home on that day. On Sunday he began to fail very perceptibly, and death came to him peacefully and quietly, surrounded by those he loved.
The surviving members of Mr. Midkiff's family are the widow and 3 children, as follows; John Midkiff of the Bay; Mrs. Nancy Akers, who lives near Delhi; and George, of Madison, South Dakota. One son died in infancy.
Mr. Midkiff was born in Kanawha county, Virginia, August 31, 1836, and came to Delaware county in 1850s. He was married to Miss Roxanna Dalrymple July 8, 1855, and a few days after their marriage he and his bride started to seek a new home in Kansas. When they had gotten as far as Union county, this state, the news of Lane's depredations in Kansas came to them, and they decided to take up residence where they were until the trouble should be quieted. They remained in Union county until 1857, going then to Cass county Nebraska, where they lived until 1859, when they returned to Union county. In 1862 they removed to Clarke county, and after remaining there for a year came to this county, since their home.
Mr. Midkiff enlisted in Co. K Iowa Infantry, October 12, 1864, and was honorably discharged at Houston Texas, August 15, 1865. He was an honest, upright, industrious man, a citizen of loyal and commendable qualities, home loving and God fearing. He lived an honorable and useful life, and was held in sincere esteem by all who knew him.