Wingate, Alfred 1839 - 1916

WINGATE, BIFFLE, BIFFEL

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/20/2026 at 12:33:46

Source: Decorah Republican June 22, 1916 P3 C4

Alf. Wingate Dead.
Early day residents of Winneshiek county will remember Alf. Wingate, who was a resident here from 1857 until early in the sixties. The following item concerning his death appeared in the McGregor Times of last week:--
Afred Wingate, one of the best known Masons in Iowa, died at his home in Des Moines Tuesday afternoon (June 13) from a complication of heart trouble with old age. He was born in Hemmingford, Canada, September 15, 1839, and located in Winneshiek county, this state, in 1857. Later he came to McGregor and on October 23, 1865, he was married at this place to Miss Josephine Biffle and they celebrated their golden wedding last October very quietly at their home in Des Moines. While here he joined Bezer lodge, No. 135, A. F. & A. M. He moved to Des Moines in 1880 and for a time was ticket agent for the Burlington road in that city. From 1877 to 1890 he served as grand recorder in the Grand Commandery of Iowa and grand secretary of the Grant Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons of Iowa from 1866 to 1914 and held other prominent positions with the order.

Transcriber’s Note: Find a Grave shows he is buried in Woodland Cemetery in Des Moines, IA. It also shows his wife’s maiden name spelled Biffel.