Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com
 
 

[Powell, Claude Frederick]

Clearfield Enterprise

Thursday     September 26, 1935      p. 2

Claude Powell of San Diego, California, passed away several days ago. Word was received by Orlie Bruner. He was formerly a resident of the Greenwood community out southwest.

[Powell, Claude Frederick]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      September 26, 1935      [p. 1]

Claude Powell Dies In San Diego, Calif.

Claude Powell, a former resident of this community, died at his home in San Diego, Calif. Saturday, Sept. 21. The funeral services ware held in California Monday and burial also made there.

He is survived by his wife and one son, Leland. He was a son of Ed Powell, who a number of years ago operated a general store in Bedford.

[Powell, Claude Frederick]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      October 3, 1935     [p. 1]

Hold Funeral Service for Claude F. Powell

Funeral services for Claude F. Powell, 51, who died at his home in San Diego, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 21, were held Monday morning, Sept. 23, conducted by his pastor, Rev. John H. Engle. A former pastor in Loveland, Colo., and at Trinity in San Diego, Rev. James W. Mahood, preached the sermon. Burial was in the Greenwood cemetery.

Claude Frederick Powell, son of the late James Edward and Mary Powell, was born in Firth, Nebr., July 13, 1884.

When nine years of age he moved with his parents to Taylor county, Iowa, where he resided in and near Bedford until 1916, when the family moved to Colorado. For some years he was engaged in the grocery business with his brother, Guy Powell, at Ault, Colo.

In 1921 he was married to Miss Leone Mae Stringham of Mount Ayr, Iowa. To them were born two children, Rollin Carl, who died in infancy, and Leland Claude, who with his mother and father’s brother, Guy Powell, survive.

Mr. Powell was well and favorably known wherever he lived, as a citizen and a businessman. At the time of his death he owned and operated a grocery business in connection with one of the large markets in San Diego. Though physically handicapped throughout life by ill health, Mr. Powell did not allow this to cause him to lose interest in the affairs of life. He was of a cheerful disposition, and bore his suffering patiently. He was always thoughtful of others.

Mr. Powell was a sincere, earnest Christian man, and a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal church in San Diego. He attended the church services as often as his strength would permit. He was there at times when other men would have been at home.

[Powell, Clifford Dallas]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      February 9, 1967     p. 8

Clifford Powell Rites Here

Graveside services for Clifford D. [allas] Powell, 89, of Omaha were conducted February 3 by Carl Cummings at Fairview Cemetery in Bedford. Mr. Powell was a brother-in-law of the late Ed Ahrens, druggist.

Clifford Dallas Powell, son of Robert M. [assie] and Elizabeth Jane [Chiles] Powell, was born in Taylor county Iowa, near Bedford on August 7, 1877 and departed this life February 1, 1967 at Omaha, Nebraska.

He was married to Hannah Ahrens at Atlantic, Ia., in the early 1920's and they moved to Omaha, Nebr., where they lived for some time before moving to St. Petersburg, Fla., where he was employed as cashier for the Atlantic Coastal Lines Railroad.

They returned to Omaha, Nebr., in 1930 where they have continued to reside. Ill health had caused Mr. Powell to spend his last years in the Lutheran Old Peoples Home in Omaha, Nebr. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Clint Powell, his twin brother and Bert Powell; one sister, Mrs. Holly Powell Blake.

Left to cherish memories are his beloved wife, Hannah Ahrens Powell; one nephew, Earl Powell, of Fort Bragg, Calif.; two nieces, Mrs. Bessie Ford of Gray, Saskatchewan, Canada and Miss Lucile Blake of Bedford.

Mr. Powell was a kind and considerate husband, neighbor and friend and he will be missed by all who knew him.

[Powell, Guy]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      July 14, 1955     [p. 1]

Former Resident Dies In California Recently

Guy Powell, 61, died Sunday, June 19, in San Diego, California, following a long illness. Guy was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ed Powell, former residents of Bedford, Conway, Sharpsburg. Surviving are his wife Vera; a daughter Geraldine; and two grandchildren. He was a cousin of P. [erly] A. [rthur] Blake and daughter Lucile of Bedford.

[Powell, James Edward]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      February 26, 1931     [p. 1]

J. E. Powell

Mrs. P. [erly] A [rthur] Blake received a message Tuesday from San Diego, Calif., announcing the death of her cousin, J. [ames] E. [dward] Powell. Mr. Powell was a resident of Bedford about 20 years, ago, when he was a member of the firm of Bates & Powell, who operated a store, where the H. C. Little Grocery now is. He was past 70 years of age and had been ill for some time. Burial was made at San Diego.

[Powell, James Edward]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      March 5, 1931      p. 4

James Edward Powell

The following obituary will be of interest to many of our readers, as Mr. Powell was for many years a resident of this community, residing at Bedford, Sharpsburg and Conway, before removing to California:

James Edward Powell, son of James Henry and Margaret Ann Austin Powell, born Dec. 13th, 1855, passed away at his home in San Diego, Calif., Feb. 24, 1931, aged 75 years, 2 months and 11 days. He leaves his wife, Mary H. [enryetta]; two sons, George Guy and Claude F. [rederick], of San Diego, Calif.; two grandchildren, Geraldine and Leland Claude Powell, of San Diego, Calif.; three sisters, Sarah Shellabarger of West Liberty, Ia., Florence Martin of Oakland, Calif., and Anna Chiles of San Diego, Calif. Mr. Powell was born at Moline, Ill. His father was killed in his sawmill when the former was four years of age. His grandfather Powell partly reared him to manhood. He moved to Taylor County, Ia., in the early eighties. Sept. 27th, 1883, he married Mary H. Chiles. Besides his wife and two sons, he had a daughter, Delphia, who died in infancy. He moved to Lancaster, Nebr., and farmed there until 1894, returning to Iowa, continuing farming and the mercantile business. In 1916 he moved to Colorado, locating at Ault. In 1925 he moved to San Diego, Calif., where the sons are in the mercantile business. He was a patient sufferer for many weeks, and expressed his preparedness to go. The funeral was conducted by Dr. Mahood, a former Colorado Methodist pastor, in the Smith Funeral Parlors in San Diego, Calif. Burial was made in Greenwood cemetery at that city.

[Powell, Lillie Pitman]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     April 22, 1954     [p. 1]

Rites Were Sunday For Conway Pioneer

Mrs. Lillie Powell, a resident of Conway and community for many years, died at. University hospital. Iowa City, April 13.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church In Conway Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. R. V. Felt. Burial was in Conway cemetery.

Lillie Powell, daughter of Alexander and Sophia Pitman, was born near Old Henderson, Ill., Oct. 1, 1872 and died at the age of 81 years, six months, 12 days.

She came to Iowa with her parents when she was about two years of age and made her home in and near Conway all of her life with the exception of about ten years when she lived near Milestone, Saskatchewan, Canada.

She was married to Berton Earl Powell, March 26, 1892 in Conway. Three children were born to them: Earl Powell of Los Angeles, Mrs. Bessie Ford of Gray [Saskatchewan] Canada, Frank Powell of Borrego, Calif., all of whom survive. There are also seven grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, one niece and one nephew. Mr. Powell died several years ago.

She united with the Conway Methodist church in 1890. She was a member of the Conway Order of the Eastern Star until late years and had served as worthy matron of the order.

[Roberts, Con Grant]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      July 14, 1927     p. 4

Con Roberts Passed Away on Tuesday

Was in Hospital at St. Joseph Several Weeks

Con Roberts, well known in Bedford, passed away Tuesday evening at the St. Joe hospital at about 8:00 o’clock. Mr. Roberts had been in poor health for several years, and only recently had become confined to his bed. The remains were brought to Bedford, arriving here Wednesday noon. Funeral services will be held at the home of his mother, Mrs. Dick Roberts of Bedford at 2:30 o’clock on Friday afternoon. The obituary will be published next week.

[Roberts, Con Grant]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      July 28, 1927     p. 7

Con Grant Roberts

Con Grant Roberts was born in Marshall township, Taylor County, Iowa, January 18th, 1874, being the son of Richard R. [Phillip], and Louisa C. [Grant] Roberts, and with the exception of a few years, spent the whole of his life in this vicinity. He was united in marriage to Miss [Alice] Gertrude Terbell on May 2nd, 1900, no children being born to bless this union. Mr. Roberts was for a time engaged in the jewelry business in Bedford but for the past few years had been in poor health and a few weeks before his death was taken to the Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph for an operation, and passed away at that institution at 9:00 P. M. July 12, 1927 being a little more than 53 years of age. He leaves to mourn his death Mrs. Gertrude Roberts, his wife, and his mother Mrs. Louisa C. Roberts, also the friends and neighbors with whom he was accustomed to associate. 

[Roberts, Louisa Grant]

 Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      July 16, 1931     [p. 1]

Mrs. L. C. Roberts

Mrs. L. C. Roberts passed away at her home in northeast Bedford, Monday, aged 86 years, 3 months and 4 days. The funeral services were held at her home Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, in charge of Rev. C. F. McMican. She was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery.

Miss Louisa C. Grant was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, on April 9, 1845. She moved to Danville, Iowa, when 2 years of age and grew to womanhood in that vicinity. She united with the Congregational Church in her youth. She was united in marriage to R. [ichard] P.[hillip] Roberts, January 26, 1871, at Danville, Ia., and to this union, one son, Con Grant, was born. Her husband preceded her in death Nov. 30, 1896, and her son July 12, 1927. She attended the Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Ladies' Aid Society, also of the Woman’s Loyal Bible Class. She had been, a resident of Taylor County for 60 years. She leaves to mourn her demise, one sister, Mrs. Bertha Siviter of Burbank, California; two brothers, Waldo Grant of Ainsworth, Nebr., and Thomas Grant of Danville, Iowa; also a-daughter-in-law, Mrs. Gertie Roberts, who has cared for her in her declining years; and a host of relatives and friends.

[Roberts, Richard Phillip]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     December 3, 1896    p. 3

DEATH OF R. P. ROBERTS

He Ended His Own Life While In a Temporary Fit of Melancoly

 

His Death Come as a Shock to The Community---A Highly Respected Citizen and a Successful Business Man---Biographical

In the nature of a shock to hundreds of his warm personal friends in Bedford came the news Sunday evening that R. [ichard] P. Roberts was dead. His death produced all the greater sorrow when it was learned that death was the result of an act of his own, committed, as all believe, while suffering from a fit of mental depression.

That the sad and tragic ending of his own life was premeditated by Mr. Roberts there can be no doubt. On Saturday evening in a conversation in his jewelry store held with his son, Con. Roberts, he expressed himself to the effect that he did not see why he should live any longer. The son rallied him out of this mood by turning the conversation in another direction. On Sunday morning Mr. Roberts appeared as bright and sprightly as usual and throughout the entire day apparently took the usual interest in the domestic affairs of his home. But later developments show that he had procured a package of strychnine Saturday evening from a drug store. This, as will afterwards appear, he used to end his life. At about six o'clock Sunday evening he left the lower room and went up stairs, as he told Mrs. Roberts, to see if it would not be best to move a bed in which his son slept to a lower room. Returning down stairs a few minutes later, he took a seat near his wife and began a conversation about moving the bed. Suddenly he became very ill, and before his wife could assist him in reaching a lounge sitting near by, he was taken with the must violent convulsions. Mrs. Roberts called to a neighbor, Mr. Howard, who quickly responded and together they placed Mr. Roberts on the lounge. Dr. Archer was summonsed and very quickly discovered that it was a case of strychnine poisoning. A messenger was started up town after Drs. Dunlavy and Paschal, but before they arrived the deadly drug had performed its work all too well.

To repeated questions from physicians as to what he had taken, Mr. Roberts made no reply and refused to take an antidote prepared for him. His only response to questions was: "Doctor I shall never tell what have taken." He was conscious up to within five minutes of his death.

The coroner, Dr. Bennett of Lenox, was notified and an inquest was held Monday afternoon. Several witnesses were examined and during the investigation it was shown that the envelope which contained the strychnine was found in the bedroom up stairs, and it now seems certain what the purpose of Mr. Roberts in going up stairs was, The following is the substance of the testimony brought out during the investigation:

L. C. Roberts, son of the deceased, gave the following statement before the Coroners jury: I talked with father Saturday night about 8 o'clock. He said: "I am not feeling well; I don't believe there is any use of my living any longer." I talked to him and after awhile he appeared to be in better spirits.

Mrs. Roberts, who is heartbroken over the affair, stated in her testimony that when Mr. Roberts came down stairs after taking the drug he sat down. "He started to come to me but fell. He asked me to kiss him good-bye, but refused to tell me what was the matter. He directed me to call some one. He has been in very bad health and suffered greatly."

A. L. Bibbins, druggist testified that he had sold Mr. Roberts 10 grains of strychnine last Saturday.

G. A. Howard, who was summonsed by Mrs. Roberts, testified that when he reached the house he found Mr. Roberts in convulsions. The deceased requested him to have Mrs. Roberts taken to another room as he did not want her to witness his sufferings. While talking to Mr. Howard, Mr. Roberts said, referring to his wife: We have always been very happy together. "

Dr. A. A. Archer, the attending physician, testifies that his diagnosis was that the patient died from strychnine poisoning.

The jury found a verdict as follows: We, the jury, after proper investigation of the facts in the case, find that said R. P. Roberts came to his death by a dose of poison (strychnine) administered by his own hands. We believe from the testimony that he took the poison on account of bad health and pain, and probably while in a state of temporary insanity.

Signed,

R. VICKERY,

GEO. CAMPBELL

SCOTT ALCORN

BIOGRAPHICAL

R. [ichard] P. [hillip] Roberts was native of Des Moines Co., Ia, born on the 8th day Aug., 1841, and at the time of his death was aged 55 years, 3 months and 27 days. In 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Grant, who with their son, Con L. [Grant] Roberts, are the surviving members of the family. Soon after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Roberts moved to Taylor County where they began life on a farm near Conway. About 14 years ago they became residents of Bedford, since which time Mr. Roberts has been engaged in business in this city. For several years Mr. Roberts owned the scales and was weigh-master at the Bedford stockyards. During this time he sustained very close business relations with the farmers and shippers, and was universally liked for his integrity in business matters and for his social qualities. About three years ago he disposed of this business to Wm. Cole, and soon after bought out a jewelry store, which he owned at the time of his death.  Beside his jewelry stock, he owned a quarter section of land and a good residence property on south Main street.

Mr. Roberts was a charter member of Bedford Lodge No. 101, Knights of Pythias, and that organization had charge of his funeral, which occurred at 2 p. m., Tuesday, Dec. 1, from the home. The sermon was by Rev. A. H. Collins, of the M. E. church. With a spirit congenial to the true spirit of Pythianism, Mr. Roberts early became a votary of the order and his body was committed to its last resting place with all the solemn ceremonies of the fraternity. The bank of clods that were taken from the grave itself was robbed of its gloom by the mystic letters of the order, “F. C. B.,” worked out in evergreen sprigs and placed upon a white background on the walls---Friendship, Benevolence, and Charity, living realities in the life of the dead Knight because practiced by him in his daily life.

Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were among the early settlers of this county and their home was always known for the dispensation of a generous hospitality. Their relations as husband and wife were most happy.
[Note: Iowa, Marriages and his wife’s obituary give the marriage date as January 26, 1871 in Des Moines County, Iowa.]

[Roberts, Richard Phillip]

Hopkins Journal

Thursday       December 3, 1896

Committed Suicide

R. [ichard] P. [hillip] Roberts, an esteemed citizen and business man of Bedford, committed suicide at his home in that city last Sunday night by taking poison.

He was 55 years of age and had resided in Taylor County for 27 years, 14 years of which he had been engaged in the jewelry business.

He not only had a good business, but owned a fine farm near Bedford and was well off, so financial trouble was not the cause of the tragedy.

He had been suffering for several weeks with neuralgia, which is thought to have caused him to commit the revolting deed.

He took a big dose of poison and died a few hours later in great agony. Doctors worked faithfully with him, but he was beyond the reach of human hands.

Mr. Roberts belonged to the G. A. R., the Knights of Pythias and several other orders and his death was a severe shock to the people of our neighboring city.

 

 

[Sowash, Jacob]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      August 25, 1904     p. 4

Jacob Sowash who formerly lived in Conway died recently at Davis City. The remains were shipped to Conway arriving there this morning, and funeral was held at 10 o’clock today.

[Sowash, Jacob]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      August 25, 1904     p. 5

Mr. Sowash, an old resident of Conway, but later of Davis City, died at his home and was taken back to Conway for interment yesterday.

 

[Underwood, Theoma LaVerne Mathews]

Lenox Time Table

Wednesday     February 14, 2007      p. 3

Theoma LaVerne Mathews was born on her Mathews grandparents farm in the Bratton, Union community north of Humboldt, Nebraska on November 8, 1915 and passed away on January 23, 2007 at the Good Samitarian Care Center in Auburn, NE at the age of 91 years from complications of a stroke. She was the daughter of the late Judith McNeely and Guy J. Mathews. As a child, she was a member of 4-H showing a champion Black Angus heifer at the Nebraska State Fair. Theoma attended Bratton Union School her entire 12 years graduating in 1934. She attended Peru State College for 2 years and taught grade school in Filley and Julian, Nebraska and Sharpsburg, Iowa.

She was united in marriage to Richard James Underwood at her Mathews grandparents' home on June 18, 1944. They resided on a farm in the Sharpsburg community during their 30-year married life. Two children were born to this union: Mary Faye (Mrs. Denis) Gibbs of Hawthorne, CA, and Patricia Anne (Mrs. Ellis) McGaha of Maryville, TN. While residing in Sharpsburg, she was actively involved in the Presbyterian Church choir and Women's Association. Theoma was the first woman to serve as an Elder in the Sharpsburg church.

Several years following the death of her husband, Theoma moved to Auburn, NE to care for her father and immediately became involved in the community. She was a very active member of the Auburn United Methodist Church serving on many committees including UMW President and on the Administrative Board. She was very active in the choir and the Prayer and Share Group for many years. She also belonged to the Brownville, NE Chapter #263 OES, serving as Worthy Matron. She was a member of the Auburn Women's Club serving as its President.

Theoma is survived by her children, three grandchildren (Jill, Sue, and Shelly), 5 great grandchildren (Tanner, Savannah, Havely, Ryan and Eliza); a brother Don and wife Doris Mathews of Auburn, NE, a niece Shirley (Mrs. Bob) Drake of Auburn, NE, a nephew David (Ruth) Mathews of Tucson, AZ and numerous other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Richard.

Services for Theoma were held January 29, 2007 at the First Methodist Church in Auburn, NE with Rev. Dr. Harold Backus officiating. Interment will be in the Conway, Iowa cemetery at a later date.

[Wood, Lida Blane]

Clearfield Chronicle

Thursday      March 2, 1967     p. 4

LIDA BLANE WOOD

Lida Blane, daughter of William Francis and Margaret Scott Blane, was born May 24, 1880 in Menard County, Illinois and departed this life February 25, 1967 in the Municipal Hospital in Clarinda Iowa at the age of 86 years, nine months and one day. She was one of a family of ten children, all of whom have preceeded her in death. While still an infant, her family moved by covered wagon to Greene County, Iowa,

On December 20, 1899 she was united in marriage to Walter Warren Wood and to this union were born two sons, Guy Blane Wood and Paul Raymond Wood. Their married life was spent on a farm near Conway. After 14 happy years, her husband was suddenly taken from her by death in 1913. She and her sons continued farming for 9 more years, then she spent the remaining 40 years, until her own health failed, administering and tenderly caring for the sick and aged. She was always happiest when she was taking care of someone and helping them on the road to recovery.

She is survived by her son, Ray and daughter-in-law, Goldie; two grandchildren, Howard Wood and Mrs. Dean (Pauline) Lyddon, both of Clearfield. By 13 great grand children, many nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the special delight of her life and she spent many happy hours with them.

Last rites were conducted by Rev. Ruegsegger, pastor of the Christian Church at the Varner-Crew Funeral Home in Clearfield Tuesday, Feb. 28th with interment in the Conway cemetery.