Iowa County Cemetery Stones and History 1844-1975 (manuscript) by Pauline Lillie

          ONLY A STONE                  (Washington )                 p. 1
            NAME OF " MAY "

Located:
First;- In Section 18 Washington 81 , Range 10-- Off side gravel road  
from Hy. F- up north top of hill about ½ miles East side, on Steep  
bank inside of fence.

History:
Often the stone with no foundation- none ever located,  
would sit against a stump; Between 1900 and 1950 this road was re- 
graded on hill side cut down and a portion was redone -- They found  
no bodies; This land is in timber and pasture- always has been.

In the 1874 Atlas land owned by George May, as of E½ of NW¼ an 80  
acre Homestead, where George May died under mysterious circumstances  
for his death was investigated by the County Corner Lyons who was  
paid $ 5.00 for services according to probate # 3420. The inventory  
of considerable livestock and farm machinery - no gun listed but did  
have a revolver: -May not have been part of the mystery;

The family consisted of second wife Phellapolena May;
Son John May born May 12 1854/53 living then in Davenport;  
Children by 2nd wife were John May born May 6, 1873 and
Fred A. May born October 25, 1874- all living in Washington township  
Regina born February 17, and died August 20, 1876 other name on stone.  
About 1887- the 2nd; wife Phellapolena married a --- "Kopera."

The homestead of George May was at the foot of the hill and Jim (James)  
Edwards lived there for many years, now the land is owned by Richard  
Edwards his son, and a few years ago the darling little house was burned.  
Ruth Edwards wife of Jim (James) told me first about the stone.

The stone had the fate of being removed--probably by vandals, ended up  
somewhere else; Plans (1978) to reset in the Titler Cemetery -1- mile  
west a project of County Cemetery restoration by present Supervisors.

Stone reads:

George May - Geborden - February 17, 1824     Gestorben September 19, 1880
Regina May - Geborden - February 17, 1876     Gestorben August 20, 1876

Stone made by - Lewis & Co. Belle Plaine.

From 1845 to 1870 this area north of Iowa River (Marengo) was ext ensive  
populated [sic].

Condition - Fair


Research only limited  by Pauline Lillie - Ladora

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