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

[McMaster, William Daniel]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday April 6, 1939    [p. 1]

W. D. McMaster, 78, Dies In Hospital

Wm. D. [aniel] McMaster, 78, a resident of Bedford and community for many years, died at the Methodist hospital in Des Moines soon after his arrival there Wednesday morning, April 5.

The funeral services will be held at the Baptist Church at 2:30 oÕclock Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson.  Burial will be in the Hopkins cemetery.

He is survived by two daughters and five sons:  Miss [Sarah] Ruth McMaster of Bedford, Mrs. Mary Dowell of Fairfield, Iowa; Roy McMaster of Twin Falls, Idaho; Glenn McMaster of Clearmont, Mo.; Ernest McMaster of Fort Snelling, Minn.; Charlie McMaster of Redlands, Calif.; Everett McMaster of Wendell, Idaho.

[McMaster, William Daniel]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 13, 1939    p. 5

W. D. McMaster

William Daniel McMaster, son of John C. [rawford] and Sarah A. [nn] Thompson McMaster, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, Oct. 28, 1860, and passed away after a weekÕs illness at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, Wednesday, April 5 at the age of 78 years, 5 months and 8 days.  His death was caused by a heart attack after arriving at the hospital for examination.

On Jan. 1, 1884 he was married to May A. [ugusta] Eggers, a daughter of Mathew Eggers.  To them were born three children: Everett of Wendell, Idaho; Roy O. [restes] of Twin Falls, Idaho; and Charley Lloyd of Redlands, Calif.  Mrs. McMaster died May 9, 1887.

In April 1894 Mr. McMaster was married to Miss Olive [Mariah] Lewis of Hopkins, Mo.  To them were born four children:  Glenn L. [ewis] of Clearmont, Mo.; [Sarah] Ruth of Bedford; Ernest of Fort Snelling, Minn.; and Mrs. Mary Dowell of Fairfield, Iowa.  Mrs. McMaster died July 2, 1925.

Surviving with the children are fourteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Mr. McMaster was the eldest of a family of sixteen children of which eight are still living.  They are Abram McMaster of Robertsdale, Ala.; Mrs. J. [ohn] C. Beauchamp [Mary Ann] of Twin Falls, Idaho; Jerome McMaster of Hopkins; George McMaster of Bedford; Arthur McMaster of Hickman Mills, Mo.; Mrs. Grover Jackson [Sarah Elizabeth] of Bedford; Mrs. Wallis Jackson [Alta May] of Hopkins; and Harman [Harmon] H. [oward] McMaster of Catalina Island, Calif.

He was a faithful member of the Hazel Dell Baptist church, acting as superintendent and deacon for many years; changing his membership to the Bedford Baptist church when moving here.

Mr. McMaster leaves a host of friends in the communities where he has lived, who will greatly miss him, as he was always willing to assist when help was needed and spent many hours in assisting in the care of the sick.

The funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church in Bedford Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson.  Burial was in the Hopkins cemetery.

[McMaster, Roy Orestes]

Bedford Times-Pres

Thursday    July 17, 1947    [p. 1]

Roy McMaster Dies In Idaho

Roy O. [restes] McMaster, 60, died at his home in Twin Falls, Idaho, June 23, following an illness of two years caused by a very serious accident on a threshing machine.

The funeral services were held in Twin Falls the Friday following his death, with Masonic graveside rites conducted in Sunset Memorial Park.

Mr. McMaster was born July 1, 1885, near Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa.  He moved to Twin Falls in 1904.

Surviving are his wife, Sarah; two children, Mrs. Gertrude Brady of Twin Falls and Floyd McMaster of Tonopah, Nevada; two brothers, Everett McMaster of Wendell, Idaho and Charles McMaster of Redlands, Calif.; two half-brothers, Glen McMaster of Clearmont, Mo.; and Ernest McMaster of Los Angeles; two half-sisters, Mrs. Ruth Lewis of Seymour, Iowa, and Mrs. Mary Dowell of Fairfield, Iowa; and two grandchildren.  Mrs. Lewis attended the last rites.

[McMaster, John Crawford]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    March 6, 1902    [p. 1]

John McMaster Dead

Died, at his home twelve miles south of Bedford, Monday morning at 1 oÕclock, March 3, 1902, John [Crawford] McMaster, father of Mrs. John C. Beauchamp [Mary Ann], of Bedford.  Funeral services were conducted yesterday at 11 oÕclock at the Union Baptist Church in Ross Township, by Rev. D. W. Griffith.  The sorrowing ones have the sympathy of all.

[McMaster, George Robert]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 17, 1948    [p 1]

George McMaster Funeral Saturday

George [Robert] McMaster died at the Missouri Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph early this morning.

Mr. McMaster was injured when his team of horses ran away Monday morning a week ago, on the highway near the fair grounds.  He was taken to the hospital at that time and had remained in a critical condition.

He is survived by his wife; also by one daughter, Ethel, and her family, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Franks and son George of Glenwood, Arkansas.

The funeral services will be held at 2:30 oÕclock Saturday afternoon, further details not being known until the daughter arrives.  The Shum Funeral Home could be contacted for the place of the services.

[McMaster, George Robert]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday   June 24, 1948    p. 6

Funeral services for George [Robert] McMaster, who died at the Missouri Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph, Thursday, June 17, were held at the Shum Funeral Home Saturday afternoon, conducted by Rev. U. E. Burroughs, pastor of the Mt. Ayr Baptist Church.  The body was placed in the mausoleum in the Fairview cemetery.

George [Robert] McMaster, son of Sarah Ann (Thompson) and John C.[rawford] McMaster, was born August 10, 1876 at the farm home in Taylor County, being aged 71 years, 10 months and 7 days at the time of his death.  He was a resident of Taylor County all of his life.

He united with the Hazel Dell Church at an early age and later transferred his membership to the First Baptist Church in Bedford.

For the past forty-five years he had taken great pride in his home, the Mackway farm, six and one-half miles south of Bedford, where he raised purebred Shorthorn cattle.

He was married to Maude Fluke April 18, 1900.  To them was born one daughter.

He is survived by his wife and daughter, Ethel, now Mrs. Robert Franks, her husband, and their son George, of Glenwood, Arkansas, two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Jackson of Bedford and Mrs. Alta Jackson of Hopkins, three brothers, Arthur and Jerome of Hopkins and Abram of Robertsdale, Alabama.  Four sisters and six brothers preceded him in death.

He will be greatly missed by a wide circle of relatives and friends.

[McMaster, John Noble]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    May 21, 1908    p. 7

Death of J. Noble McMaster

J. [ohn] Noble McMaster, one of the most popular and respected citizens of Twin Falls, died suddenly at his home in this city on Monday night, May 4, after an illness of less than one week.  The funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon at 3 oÕclock at the family residence.  The Odd Fellows attended in a body.  Interment took place in Twin Falls cemetery under the direction of H. E. Hunt.

Noble McMaster was a brother of C. [harles] A. [llen] McMaster of Twin Falls and was the first of a family of 15 to fall a victim of the grim reaper.  He was a man of sterling character, a splendid citizen and a loyal friend.  Just one year ago, Mr. McMaster suffered an irreparable loss in the death of his wife, a most lovable woman, who left him eight children, around whom his heart was wrapped.  He stood the blow bravely and when the summons came for him he answered like a man and Christian.

Mr. McMasterÕs mother, Mrs. Sarah A. [nn Thompson] McMaster, and a brother, Wm. McMaster, of Hopkins, Mo., were here to attend the funeral.

Mr. McMaster owned a splendid farm of 330 acres, two miles south of Kimberly, and a fine residence in Twin Falls.  He came here from Bedford, Iowa, and easily adapted himself to the change in conditions, faithfully doing his part toward building up the new empire.  Twin Falls cannot afford to lose such men as Noble McMaster and the city and tract mourn his death and condole with his family in their dark hours.----Twin Falls (Idaho) News 

[MCMASTER, JOHN NOBLE]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, May 21, 1908
Mrs. Sarah McMaster, accompanied by her son, Will, passed through here Saturday on their way home from Twin Falls, Idaho, where she was called by the death of her son, Noble McMaster. Mrs. McMaster and son stopped over a day on their return at Shenandoah and visited with their relatives, J. C. Beauchamp and family.

[McMaster, Martha Ann ÒMattieÓ Barnes]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    May 9, 1907    p. 3

Mrs. J. [ohn] N. [oble] McMaster, who was raised in this county, but who recently moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, died Friday and was buried there Sunday.    She leaves eight children, the youngest of whom is eight months old.  Her maiden name was Miss Mattie [Martha Ann] Barnes and her many friends here will learn of her death with deepest sorrow, and the sympathy of all is extended the bereaved husband and motherless children.      

[McMaster, Martha Ann ÒMattieÓ Barnes]

Times-Republican

Thursday    May 16, 1907    p. 3

Mrs. McMaster Dead

Former Resident Of This Vicinity Dies At Twin Falls, Idaho

Mrs. [John] Noble McMaster, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. [avid] E. [li] Barnes [Anna Sara Willard] of Rocky Ford, Colorado, died at her home at 7 oÕclock this morning of heart trouble.  She had been sick for about six weeks.  Besides her husband, she left a family of three boys and five girls.  The funeral will take place from the family residence at 2 p. m. on Sunday, Undertaker L. J. Miller, directing.

The above, taken from the Twin Falls, Idaho, News, will cause sincere sorrow to the many friends of Mrs. McMaster [Martha Ann Barnes] in the vicinity of both Bedford and Hopkins.  For a great many years this was her home, herself and husband having emigrated to Idaho only a few months ago.

The date of the paper from which the above was taken was May 3.  Mrs. McMaster therefore died on Friday morning.  No additional details have been received.    

[McMaster, Charles Allen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    July 23, 1936    p. 4

Charles McMaster, 70, Dies At Twin Falls 

Charles [Allen] McMaster, 70, a former resident of the Hazel Dell community southwest of Bedford, died at his home in Twin Falls, Idaho, Saturday, July 18.

Mr. McMaster was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John C. [rawford] McMaster [Sarah Ann Thompson] and was one of fifteen children.  He was born on a farm near Hopkins, Dec. 16, 1865, and resided in that community until about thirty years ago, when he moved to Idaho.  He was a prominent farmer and stockman, both here and in Idaho.

He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Della Lytle before her marriage, and by a son and daughter, Frank McMaster and Georgia Grace, both of Twin Falls.  The surviving brothers and sisters are Abram McMaster of Alabama; William McMaster, George McMaster, and Mrs. Grover Jackson [Sarah] of Bedford; Arthur McMaster, Jerome McMaster, and Mrs. Wallis Jackson [Alta] of Hopkins; Harmon McMaster of California; and Mrs. Mary Beauchamp of Idaho.

He was buried in the Twin Falls cemetery.       

[McMaster, Glen Lewis]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 7, 1973    p. 7

Hold Last Rites In Missouri For Glen McMaster

Funeral services for Glen Lewis McMaster, 77, of Clearmont, Mo., formerly of Bedford, were held May 27 in Maryville, Mo.  Mr. McMaster died May 25 at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, where he had been a patient three months.  Interment was at the Hopkins Cemetery.

Born December 28, 1895, in Taylor County, he was the son of William D. [aniel] McMaster and Olive McMaster; his sisters were Ruth McMaster Lewis and Mrs. Mary Dowell.

He was owner and operator of a service station in Clearmont.

He is survived by a son, Kenneth McMaster, of Elizabethtown, Ky.; and a daughter, Mrs. Hubert Twaddle of Elmo. Mo.

[McMaster, Maude Fluke]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 9, 1964    p. 8

Mrs. Geo. McMaster Dies in Arkansas

Mrs. George (Maude) McMaster, a former resident of the rural community south of Bedford, died recently in Glenwood, Arkansas.  She is survived by one daughter and her family.  They were members of the Baptist Church when the family resided in this area.

[McMaster, Olive Mariah Lewis]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    July 9, 1925

Obituary - Mrs. W. D. McMaster

Mrs. Olive [Mariah] McMaster, wife of W. [illiam] D. [aniel] McMaster, and daughter of V. [elorus] P. and Olive [G.] Lewis, was born November 9, 1865, in Austin, Minn.  She came with her parents to Missouri as a child.  She was married to W. [illiam] D. [aniel] McMaster in 1894 and four children were born to them, Glen Lewis, Sarah Ruth, Earnest Eugene and Mary Esther.

In early life she was converted in a revival meeting held in the Baptist church at Hopkins, uniting with the Presbyterian church of the same place, later transferring her membership to the Hazel Dell Baptist church.

 She passed away July 2, 1925, leaving to mourn their loss, her husband and four children, three stepchildren, five sisters and four brothers.  Services were held last Sunday, July 5th, at the Hazel Dell church, with Rev. C. W. Fletcher in charge, assisted by the choir of his church.  Burial was in the Hopkins cemetery.

[Jackson, Sarah Elizabeth McMaster]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 5, 1962    p. 4

Mrs. Grover Jackson Dies Wed. Morning

Mrs. Grover Jackson [Sarah Elizabeth McMaster] passed away at 6:05 a. m. Wed., April 4, at the Clearview Rest Home in Clearfield, Ia.  Visitation is at the Swanson Funeral Home, Hopkins, Mo.  Time and place for the funeral can be obtained by contacting the funeral home.

[Jackson, Sarah Elizabeth McMaster]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 12, 1962    p. 10

Mrs. G. Jackson Rites Held Sat.

Mrs. Grover Jackson of Bedford died Wednesday, April 4, at Clearview Rest Home in Clearfield, Iowa, where she had been a resident the past ten months.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist church at two p. m. Saturday, April 7.   Rev. Colvin Caughey, pastor of the church, and Rev. Fred H. Cowles of Leavenworth, Kans., a former pastor here, officiated.  Burial was in the Hopkins cemetery.

Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of John C. [rawford] and Sarah A. [nn] Thompson McMaster, was born in Taylor County, Iowa, Feb. 20, 1882 and died at the age of 80 years.  She was married on June 6, 1921 to Grover Jackson.  They lived in the Valley community southwest of Bedford before moving into town a number of years ago.

She is survived by her husband of Bedford; two sons, James M. Jackson of Shawnee Mission, Kans., and Robert Jackson of Pharr, Texas; a sister, Mrs. Alta Jackson of Hopkins.  There are also three grandchildren, James M. Jr., Michael Todd and Judy Jackson.

Mrs. Jackson was a devoted member of the First Baptist Church.

[Lewis, Sarah Ruth McMaster]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    December 19, 1963    p. 6

Mrs. W. Lewis, 66, Rites Dec. 11

Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah Ruth Lewis, formerly of Bedford, held Dec. 11 at the Promise City Methodist Church, were conducted by Rev. Gerold B. Noland.  Mrs. Lewis died Dec. 9 at Villisca where she had gone to visit relatives.  Burial was at the Nodaway Cemetery.

Included in the services was the following obituary:

Mrs. Sarah Ruth Lewis, daughter of the late William D. [aniel] and Olive [Mariah Lewis] McMaster, was born in Bedford Feb. 21, 1897, and departed this life at Villisca, Iowa, Dec. 9, 1963, at the age of 66 years, nine months and 18 days.

She grew up near Hopkins, Mo., and lived a good part of her life in Bedford.

She was married to Willard F. Lewis Nov. 1, 1940, and they moved to Wayne County in 1943.

She united with the Baptist Church of Bedford during her youth.  After moving to Wayne County, she had her membership transferred to the Promise City Methodist church March 19, 1944, where she continued to be a faithful and loyal member.  Her greatest interests were her church and her friends.  As a kind and considerate mother, she always made her home a welcome place for church and community activities, always willing to do much more than her part.

She is survived by her husband, Willard, her two sons, Roy and Galen; a sister, Mrs. Mary Dowell, of Fairfield; two brothers, G. [len] L. [ewis] McMaster of Clearmont, Mo., and Ernest McMaster of Sacramento, Calif.; one half-brother, Charles McMaster of Yucaipa, Calif.; two grandchildren, Greg and Gayla McMaster of Tarkio, Mo.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

 [McMaster, Arthur Elsworth]

Times-Press

Thursday    March 26, 1959    p. 1

Arthur McMaster Died Here Wednesday

Arthur E. McMaster Died Here Wednesday

Arthur E. [lsworth] McMaster, 79, retired farmer, was found dead in bed Thursday, March 19, at his home two miles northwest of Hopkins, by a neighbor, Leo Donahue.

McMaster, who had lived in the Hopkins community in Taylor County 30 years, visited Tuesday evening with his neighbor when he went to pick up his mail.  By Thursday, when he had not called again for his mail, Donohue went to investigate.  His death was from natural causes.

He was born Nov. 30, 1879, in Taylor County, Iowa, the son of the late John C.[rawford] and Sarah Thompson McMaster.  He was a member of the Baptist Church and the Odd Fellows Lodge.

Survivors include a son, George Robert McMaster, residing in the state of Kansas; two sisters, Mrs. Wallis Jackson [Alta May] of Hopkins and Mrs. Grover Jackson [Sarah Elizabeth] of Bedford.

Funeral services were held Saturday at the Hopkins Baptist Church with Rev. Clyde Cornelius, pastor, officiating.  Burial in the Hopkins cemetery.

[Stewart, Dora McMaster]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     December 15, 1914    [p. 1]

Dora McMaster Stewart Dies At Lincoln, Neb.

Mrs. John C. [rawford] McMaster [Sarah Ann Thompson] received a message last Tuesday that her daughter, Mrs. Dora Stewart, had died at Lincoln following an operation at a hospital there.  It will be remembered that Mr. Stewart held a meeting here about two years ago and several months later married Miss Dora McMaster, well known here, being a member of the McMaster family of Polk Township.  On receipt of the news W.[illiam] D. [aniel] McMaster and Miss Sarah McMaster started to Lincoln.

[STEWART, DORA MCMASTER]
Lincoln Star (Lincoln, Nebraska), Wednesday, December 9, 1914
Mrs. Dora A. Stewart, aged 39 years, died at 12:30 p. m. Tuesday at the family residence, 819 South thirty-second street. Deceased was the wife of Rev. Charles A. Stewart. The body was taken to Jackson [Hopkins], Mo., this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock where funeral services and interment will take place.

[STEWART, DORA MCMASTER]
Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, Nebraska), Wednesday, December 9, 1914
The body of Mrs. Dora A. Stewart will be taken to Hopkins, Mo., Wednesday afternoon for interment.

[STEWART, DORA MCMASTER]
Daily Democrat-Forum (Maryville, Missouri), Friday, December 11, 1914
Dies After Operation. Body of Mrs. C. A. Stewart Taken to Hopkins for Burial.
The body of Mrs. C. [harles] A. Stewart of Lincoln, Nebr., who died Tuesday, was taken to Hopkins Wednesday night and removed to the house of her mother, Mrs. John C. McMaster where it will remain until burial.
Mrs. Stewart was formerly Miss Dora McMaster. Her death followed an operation at a hospital in Lincoln. Her brother and sister, William and Miss Sarah McMaster of Hopkins went to Lincoln Tuesday evening and accompanied the body to Hopkins.
No arrangements have been made for the funeral.

[STEWART, DORA MCMASTER]
Daily Democrat-Forum (Maryville, Missouri), Saturday, December 12, 1916
Hold Funeral Services Today.
Rites for Mrs. Stewart to Be Held at Hopkins Saturday.
The funeral of Mrs. Dora McMaster Stewart of Lincoln, Neb., who died Tuesday was held at 2 o'clock this afternoon at the home of her mother, Mrs. J. C. McMaster, two miles north of Hopkins.
The services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Goodrich, pastor of the Baptist church of Hopkins. Burial was in the Hopkins cemetery.

[STEWART, DORA MCMASTER]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, December 10, 1914
Word has been received here of the death of Mrs. C. A. Stewart, following an operation at a hospital in Lincoln, Neb.  Mrs. Stewart will be remembered here as Miss Dora McMaster, W. D. McMaster and Miss Sarah McMaster left Hopkins for Lincoln Tuesday evening.

[STEWART, DORA MCMASTER]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, December 17, 1914
HOPKINS – The funeral services of Mrs. Dora McMaster Stewart were held at the home of her mother, Mrs. Sarah McMaster, Saturday afternoon and were largely attended. The services were conducted by Rev. Griffith of the Baptist church and interment was made in the Hopkins cemetery. Mrs. Stewart's death was verry sudden and a shock to her relatives and friends. The cause of her death being anthrax, an almost unknown form of blood poisoning. Dr. Clarence Stewart and mother of Lincoln, Neb., Mrs. Mary Beauchamp and Charles McMaster of Twin Falls, Idaho, Harmon McMaster of Cory, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Jackson of Baldwin, Kan., and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur McMaster of Meadville, Mo., attended the funeral.

[STEWART, DORA MCMASTER]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, December 24, 1914
Mrs. John Beauchamp of Twin Falls, Ida., visited the first of the week at the home of W. F. Evans. She came from Hopkins Sunday evening where she had been to attend the funeral of her sister, Mrs. Dora Stewart.

[STEWART, DORA MCMASTER]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, December 29, 1914
Charles McMaster of Twin Falls, Ida., was in town a short time Wednesday. Mr. McMaster was called back on account of the death of his sister, Mrs. Stewart, and remained a few days to attend to some business matters and visit relatives.

[McMaster, Sarah Ann Thompson]

Times-Republican

Thursday    May 6, 1915    p. 5

Mrs. Sarah McMaster

Mrs. Sarah McMaster, who had been a resident of Taylor County for about sixty years, died at her home in Polk Township Saturday, May 1.  She leaves a large family of children, who are well known here.  The funeral services were held at the Hazel Dell church, Tuesday afternoon, May 4, at 2 oÕclock, conducted by Rev. D. W. Griffith, pastor of the First Baptist Church at Hopkins.  Interment was made in the Hopkins cemetery.

Sarah Ann Thompson was born in Warren County, Indiana May 23, 1840.  When she was about nine years of age the family moved to Texas and four years later they moved to Taylor County, where she has resided ever since.

She was united in marriage to John C. [rawford] McMaster in November 1859, who died March 3, 1902.  To this union were born sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters.  One son and two daughters are dead.  Those who remain are:  W.[illiam] D. [aniel], of Hopkins, Abram, of Robertsdale, Ala.; C. [harles] A.[llen], of Twin Falls, Idaho; J. [ames] Arch [ibald], of Hopkins; Jerome, Hopkins; George, Bedford; Amos, Churchill, Idaho; Arthur, Meadville, Mo.; Harmon, Crowley, La.; Mrs. Mary Beauchamp, Twin Falls, Idaho; Mrs. Martha George, Knowlton, Mont.; Miss Sarah, at home; Mrs. Alta Jackson, Baldwin, Kans.

Mr. and Mrs. McMaster moved to their present home the morning after their marriage in 1859.  She was a charter member of the Baptist Church called Union, at Hazel Dell, which was organized in 1853.

[MCMASTER, SARAH ANN THOMPSON]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, May 6, 1915
HOPKINS – The funeral services of Mrs. Sarah McMaster was held at the home north of Hopkins Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. D. W. Griffith officiating. Interment was made in the Hopkins cemetery. Mrs. McMaster was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Thompson and was 75 years old and had spent most of her life on the farm where she died, just across the line in Iowa. She was the mother of fifteen children, all of whom with the exception of two, survive. The husband, John C. McMaster, preceded her some years ago. Mrs. McMaster was a strong Christian woman, being a devout Baptist for the greater part of her life.

[Posten, Eugene Joseph ÒGeneÓ]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    June 26, 1947    [p. 1]

E. J. Posten Dies At Gravity Wednesday

E. [ugene] J. [Joseph] ÒGeneÓ Posten, 77, of Gravity died at his home about 2 oÕclock Wednesday afternoon following a heart attack.

Mr. Posten is survived by his wife [Ida Irwin] and two daughters, Miss Gertrude Posten of the home, Mrs. Will Chandler and family of Arlington, Virginia.

The funeral arrangements are pending, awaiting the arrival of the Chandlers from the East.

[Laws, Mary Jane Cashman]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    August 23, 1906    p. 5

 A Good Woman Gone

On Friday morning, August 17, 1906, Mrs. J. [ohn] J. [asper] Laws was called to her final reward, aged 71 years, 11 months and 17 days.

For some time Mrs. Laws has been a sufferer from heart disease, and while her death was not unexpected, it was, nevertheless, a serious blow to the loved ones left to mourn.

Mrs. Laws has always been a friend to the poor and afflicted, and her cheery words and pleasant manner has been a solace and a comfort to many in their hour of sorrow and affliction.  Her Christian spirit and actions have always made her a welcome visitor at the bedside of the sick.

In her home life she was a kind and affectionate wife and a considerate and indulgent mother.  She was active in church work and besides rearing her family amidst Christian surroundings, she found time to aid others.

Miss Mary Jane Cashman was born in the state of Ohio, August 30, 1834, and moved with her parents to Illinois in 1849.  On September 6, 1852, she was united in marriage to J. [ohn] J. [asper] Laws, at Washington, Ill.  After marriage their life was spent in Iowa, coming from Knox County in 1870 to this county where their home has been made since.  To this happy union six children were born, four of whom are still living, Mrs. Josie McCune [Josephine] and Glen D. Laws having preceded their mother.  Those still living and who attended the funeral were Mrs. Ada Thrasher [Adelaide], of King City, Mo.; Mrs. Cora Maxwell, Tropico, Calif.; W. [illiam] T. [homas] Laws, York, Neb.; Mrs. Stella Boynton, of Kansas.  She also leaves to mourn eight brothers and sisters, namely:  J. [ames] L., H. [arvey] R. and I. [saiah] M. Cashman of Abingdon, Ill.; D. [avid] M., of Centerville, Ia.; Emerson and Mrs. Sarah C. [atherine] Crawford, of Oklahoma; Henry, of Weldon, and W. [illiam] M. [elton] of Corning, the two latter only being able to be present at the funeral.

The funeral was held at the late home Sunday afternoon at 2 oÕclock, conducted by Rev. Price, of the Christian Church, of which organization the deceased had been a member since 1853.  Interment was had in Fairview cemetery.

To the husband who has lost his life companion, the children, who have lost a most loving mother and to the brothers and sister who have lost a kind and noble sister, the community extend their heartfelt sympathy.

[LAWS, MARY JANE CASHMAN]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, August 21, 1906
Obituary – Mrs. John J. Laws died at her home in Bedford on Friday morning, August 17th, aged 71 years, 11 months and 17 days.
Mary Jane Laws, nee Cashman, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on August 30, 1834 and there the greater part of her girlhood days were spent. In 1849, when Miss Cashman was a girl in her early teens her parents removed to Illinois where she met the man who for more than fifty years was her companion, the sharer of all her sorrows and her joys. On September 6th, 1852, at Washington, Illinois she was united in marriage to John J. [asper] Laws, who still survives her. To this union there came six children to bless the home and make life more worth the living. All these grew up to man and womanhood, and all but the youngest born remain on earth to love and reverence the memory of a loving and loved mother. Glen D., the youngest, passed away some thirteen years ago, and it was by his side that the body of his mother was placed.
For nearly forty years Mrs. Laws with her husband has resided in Taylor county. They came here in 1870; and until nine years ago lived on the farm in Clayton township; since that their home has been in Bedford. Thirty-six years is time in plenty within which to discover the evil with which a neighbor may be cursed, but not one of those friends who have known her so long speaks of her whose life is ended except in words of kindest regard. For more than half a century she was a member of the Christian church, a true and consistent Christian, a lover of all humanity and a hater only of hypocrisy and sham. For many long and weary months before the Savior called her home Mrs. Laws lay on her bed, ill and suffering. Wasted and pain racked she bore her affliction with Christian resignation, uttering no complaint, unselfish and thoughtful of the comfort of others to her last conscious moment.
The funeral was held at the home on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev. Price. Interment was made at Fairview cemetery.


Of the five surviving children four were present at the obsequies: Mrs. Adda Thresher, King City, Mo.; Mrs. Cora Maxwell, Tropico, Cal.; W. T. Laws, York county, Neb.; Mrs. Stella Boynton, Gardner, Kans. Two brothers were also present: Wm. M. Cashman, Corning, and Henry Cashman, Weldon, Iowa. The absent daughter was Mrs. Josie McCune, who resides in Montana. Her home is many miles from the railroad and a message could not reach her in time.