Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - juliajoh@usc.edu

[Frances Titus]

Bedford Free Press

November 28, 1917   [p. 1]

Another Pioneer Goes To Reward

Frances Titus Dies At Home Monday Morning

Funeral Held Wednesday At Home--Burial Made in Graceland (Titus) Cemetery

--Came To Taylor County In 1869--Well Known and Liked

Frances Titus, one of the pioneers of Taylor County, died at his home in Bedford, Monday morning.  The funeral services were held at the home Wednesday morning, conducted by Rev. C. C.  Hatcher.  Interment was made in the Graceland (Titus) cemetery, which is on the old homestead where the deceased lived before removing to Bedford.

Frances Titus was born in Chester County, Penn., March 5th, 1835 [and] left this earth for the realms beyond on Nov. 26th, 1917 at 5:30 A.M. just as the shadows of night gave place to the light of the new day.

Deceased was bereft of a father's love before the child could ever know of him.  With his mother he left as a small child for Mt. Gilead, Ohio, where he lived till he became 21 years of age, and from thence to Rio, Ill., where in 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Arnold.  There they lived till 1869 when they came across country to Taylor County, Iowa, making their home near Bedford.  Eight years ago they moved to Bedford where they have since resided.

To their union were born four children, all of whom survive him except Warren E., who died in infancy.  They are Mrs. Juliet [Julia] E. Opdyke of Billings, Okla., Ellis Phillip Titus, Clark, S. D., and Mrs. Luvira Kemery, Bedford, Iowa.  There are also seven grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and nine nieces and nephews who share with the bereaved companion the sad loss in this separation.

Francis Titus was well and favorably known by everyone.  He helped in all good work, taking delight in helping the needy.  Many shall recall with pleasant interest incidents of the past and again be reminded that we are "Going down the valley one by one."

[Same obituary published in the Times-Republican, November 29, 1917]

[TITUS, FRANCIS]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Wednesday, December 5, 1917
Returns Home – J. P. Opydlke [Opdylke] who was here attending the funeral of Frank Titus, left Sunday morning for Springfield, Mo., where he attended to some business matters and returned to his home at Billings, Okla.; Mrs. Opdylke will remain here for a longer visit with her mother, Mrs. Titus.
To Clark, S. D. – Ellis Titus, who was here attending the funeral of his father, Frank Titus and visiting with old Bedford friends after the funeral, returned to his home at Clark, S. D. Sunday.

[TITUS, FRANCIS]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Wednesday, December 12, 1917
Accompanies Daughter Home –
Mrs. J. E. Opdyke [Opdylke] who was called here by the death of her father Frank Titus returned to her home in Billings, Okla., Wednesday. Her mother accompanied her home and will visit for a time at the home of her daughter.

 

[Amos Jackson John]

Bedford Free Press

March 20, 1918    p. 8

Obituary A. J. John

A. J. John passed away at his home in west Bedford Sunday, March 17.  The funeral services were held, Monday, March 18 from the High Prairie Church, conducted by Rev. Penn.  Interment was made in the Graceland Cemetery.

Amos Jackson John was born, Mar. 22, 1844 in Shelby County, Indiana, and passed away at his home west of Bedford March 17, 1918 at the age of 73 years, 11 months and 25 days.  In early manhood he moved to Fremont County, Iowa, where he united with the Methodist Church of High Prairie in which he has been a faithful and loving worker for his Master until death.  August 22, 1867 he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Dean.  To this union were born five children, one having died in infancy, the remaining four are: Mrs. Nettie L. Fuller, Hinton, Oklahoma; Carry C. John, Leon E. John, Mrs. Daisy E. Gant, Bedford, Iowa.

In May 1876 he was bereaved of his loving companion.  He was afterward married to Mrs. Frances E. Coy Hayes.  To this union were born six children, Mrs. Agnes Knox, Palmer, Kansas; Mrs. Louie Roop, Kirkersville, Ohio; Mrs. Lola Nitt, [William] Kinsley John, Lawrence John, Bedford, Iowa, and Thomas John died in early life.  All his children were present at his death except Mrs. Louie Roop who had been here recently.  Besides his children he leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, a stepson, Samuel Hayes, of New Market, Iowa, and one sister, Mrs. K. E. Derrickson of Hebron, North Dakota and a large host of friends.

For many years he has been in frail health.  [Word or words missing] Through all his sufferings and remains to comfort the bereaved in their sorrow.  He was willing and prepared to answer his Master's summons, that called him from his sufferings to a land where death and suffering are no more.

-----

Amos Jackson John died Saturday, March 16, 1918, at his home near the High Prairie church in Taylor county. He was born in Indiana in l844, came in 1864 with his parents to Iowa; was married in 1866 to Mary E. Dean; six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John, one of whom: died in infancy. Mrs. John died early in 1876. In the latter part of that year he married Mrs. Coy. Five children were born to this marriage. In 1866 he became a member of the Methodist Episeonal church, of which he remained a faithful member throughout his life. He leaves a large circle of friends in the High Prairie locality. The funeral was held Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the High Prairie church, conducted by Rev. Joseph Penn. Burial was in the Tutan [Titus] cemetery. CLARINDA JOURNAL, Clarinda, Iowa, Mar 21, 1918

[Nancy Cox Bailie]

Bedford Free Press

May 8, 1918    [p. 1]

Obituary Mrs. N. E. Bailie

Mrs. N. [ancy] E. Bailie, a former resident of Bedford died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. N. [elson] S. Savage [Mamie] of Salem, Oregon, May 3, 1918.  The body was brought to Bedford Tuesday afternoon and funeral services were held at the Methodist church, Wednesday at 10 o'clock, conducted by Rev. L. P. Goodwin.  Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

Mrs. N. E. Bailie, whose maiden name was Nancy E. Cox, was born March 23, 1831, at Morrow, Ohio.

She was united in marriage to Havillah Bailie May 19, 1850, at Dent, Ohio.  Died at the home of her only daughter, Mrs. Nelson Savage of Salem, Oregon May 3, 1918, aged 87 years, 1 month and 10 days.

Her husband preceded her in death March 27, 1884.

To this union there were born five children, William W. [allace] and Chas. H. Bailie, both deceased; Frank W. Bailie of Bedford, Mrs. Mamie Savage of Salem, Oregon and Geo. E. Bailie of Denver, Colo., are the surviving members of the family.

The deceased in early life united with the Methodist church and remained a consistent and devoted member thru the balance of her life.  She retained her membership in the Bedford M.E. church until her death.

The family moved from the state of Ohio to Iowa in the spring of 1867, locating on a farm in Jackson Township, Taylor County.

The family may be considered as among the pioneers of this section.  Many difficulties be-set the settlers at this time especially in the way of transportation, coming from St. Louis to Hannibal, Mo. by river, thence by rail to St. Joseph and Savannah, Mo., the end of the railway, the family continued its journey by wagon into Taylor County, Iowa, where for more than fifty years it has been identified with the development and progress of state and county.

Mother Bailie leaves a lineage of five children, fifteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

[BAILIE, NANCY COX]
Statesman Journal (Salem, Oregon), Saturday, May 4 1918
BAILIE – At the home of her daughter, 293 South Fourteenth street, Friday, May 3, 1918, at 1:30 a. m., Mrs. Nancy E. Bailie, 87 years old.
She was the mother of Mrs. M. S. Savage of this city. She also leaves a son, George E. Bailie of Denver, Colo. and another son, F. W. Bailie, of Bedford, Iowa. She had lived here for some time and had been a widow for many years.
The remains are at the chapel of Webb & Clough and will be taken to Bedford, Iowa, for burial later. The funeral will be held from the chapel this afternoon at 2 o'clock.


[Hannah Magdeline Ditch Ernest]

Bedford Free Press

May 3, 1923    [p. 2]

Obituary

Hannah Magdeline Ditch was born in Fredericksburg, Maryland, January 11, 1858, and departed this life at Bedford, Iowa, April 26, 1923, age 65 years, 3 months and 15 days.

When a small child, she with her parents moved to Chicago and later to Phillipsburg, Kansas.

On September 2, 1873, she was united in marriage to August Ernest and in 1876 they came to Taylor County, Iowa, locating on a farm in Jackson Township, and where on August 2, 1906, the husband went to his reward.  For six years Mrs. Ernest continued to keep up her home but the children having moved to themselves, she yielded to their solicitations and went to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. J. [ohn] L. Larison.  It was here that death found her.

Nine children remain to mourn this mother.  They are Mrs. J. [ohn] L. Larison [Rose], Mrs. F. [rancis] M. [arion] Brown [Mary Alice], Frank L., Mrs. Roy Spurgeon [Maud], Fred E., Willis C., Herman B., Mrs. Mart Reece [Lula] and Glen E.

All with the exception of Frank were permitted to be at the bedside of their mother during her last hours on earth.

During the pastorship of Rev. Ware, Mrs. Ernest united with the Presbyterian Church but later after the Forest Grove Church was erected near her home, she was baptized in this faith by the Rev. A. L. Jones.

Although of late years on account of ill health she was unable to attend services, she was at all times and places a true, practical Christian, loving home and neighbors and always ready to lend a helping hand in time of need.

Through all her afflictions none ever heard a word of complaint, nothing but patience and a trust that "He who doeth all things well would in His own time call her to rest."

With these words, "Thy will, Oh Lord, Be Done," she sank into a quiet sleep from which she never rallied.

Funeral services were held at the Forest Grove Church Saturday afternoon in charge of Rev. Fletcher and interment made in the cemetery there.