Keokuk County IA

Lawson, Warren Lee – Obituary

Warren L. Lawson, 51, of Marshalltown, better known as “Doc” a native of Hedrick and one of Iowa’s widely known musicians, collapsed at Bloomfield last Tuesday, December 28, and died before he could be taken to a hospital. “Doc”, whose electric organ recitals and accompaniment for horse shows at fairs, dances, weddings, funeral and other public gatherings had made him famous, had gone to Bloomfield to play for a ball Tuesday night sponsored by the T.T.T. chapter. He was stricken while conferring with members of the organization in the high school gymnasium. He was born at Hedrick and was a … Read more

Biography of James McGrew, Hon.

Hon. James McGrew was one of the historic characters of Kansas, has a place in the history of the state at large because of his early activities and influence as a free state man, and his service in the office of lieutenant governor, while locally he is to be credited with much of the enterprise which entered into the foundation of the present metropolis Kansas City, Kansas. He was born in Adams County near the great battlefield of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1822, and died at his beautiful old home, erected in the early days, and known as McGrew’s Grove, … Read more

Biography of Calvin M. Spencer

Calvin M. Spencer, a well known Emporia business man and citizen, is head of the firm of Spencer & Baltz, proprietors of the New Process Steam Laundry, one of the two leading laundries of Emporia. Both are expert men at the business, and by extensive remodeling and equipment have made their plant in fact and in name a place of service, and consequently their patronage is not confined to the City of Emporia, but their work is distributed all over that part of the state. The Spencers are an old American family, and it is said that they originated in … Read more

Iowa Death Records by County

Many experts recommend starting your research with the death records first. The death record is the most recent record, so it will more likely be available to you. Death records are kept in the state where your ancestor died, not where they were buried. However these records can provide a burial location. Death records are especially helpful because they may provide important information on a person’s birth, spouse, and parents. Some researchers look first for death records because there are often death records for persons who have no birth or marriage records. Early death records, like cemetery records, generally give … Read more

Biography of Dr. James W. York

DR. JAMES W. YORK. This prominent physician has been a close student of his profession and in his mission of “healing the sick,” his generous treatment of his patients, his liberality and kindness of heart, have won for him not the respect alone, but the earnest regard of the large clientele, he has gathered around him. For thirteen years be has resided in Billings and is known as a man of untarnished integrity of character and of high moral standing. His birth occurred at Richland, Keokuk County, Iowa, March 27, 1851, and he is a son of James M. and … Read more

Hearing, Mary E. – Obituary

Lostine, Wallowa County, Oregon Funeral services were held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Lostine Christian church for Mary Elizabeth Hearing, Wallowa County pioneer, who died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Otto Dolkey near Medford, May 29, 1929. Rev. Arthur Harriman of Wallowa conducted the services. A quartet, Mrs. Orval McArtor, Mrs. Roy Haun, Roy Haun and Chas. Bridwell, sang appropriate hymns, with Mrs. S.L. Magill at the piano. Interment was in the Lostine cemetery. Mary Elizabeth Conner was born in Sigourney, Iowa, July 28, 1846, and crossed the plains to Portland, Oregon in 1853 at the age … Read more

Goodman, Miles W. – Obituary

Lostine, Wallowa County, Oregon Miles W. Goodman Dies At Lostine Resident of County for 31 Years Succumbs After Long-Period of Ill Health. Miles W. Goodman died Thursday, November 22, 1917, at his home at Lostine of cancer of the stomach. He had been suffering from the malady for a year, but was confined to his bed only two weeks. Three and a half years ago Mr. Goodman was thrown from a buggy in a runaway and his hip was crushed. He was unable to get out at all for a year and then had to use crutches, and, and from … Read more

Biography of William Henry Folmsbee

William Henry Folmsbee was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 22, 1831. His parents were Isaac and Deborah Folmsbee; his father, who was major in the United States regular army, died when the subject of this sketch had reached the age of seven years, and his mother followed him to the grave “some two years later. Thus thrown upon the world at this early age to provide for himself, he found a kind friend in the person of Dr. William Ensign, who gave him a home, reared and educated him. He attended the common and higher schools of Cincinnati, and while … Read more

Biography of Hon. J.R. Blakaby

Malheur County can boast of many distinguished pioneers who have made brilliant success in both the financial world and in the political realm, and one of the prominent men of this influential number is the gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, and who stands as one of the real builders of the County and is also one of the largest general merchandise operators within her borders at the present time, his store being located in Jordan Valley. Mr. Blackaby was born in Iowa, on April 12, 1861, being the son of Bernard and Emeline Blackaby. There … Read more

Biography of R. P. Kelley

R. P. Kelley. While the law had been his profession and he had been a member of the Eureka Bar continuously since 1884, R. P. Kelley had found his time increasingly absorbed by his various business affairs and interests. Financial success had come to him in large measure, and he had property and business interests in diverse parts of the country. He had traveled considerably for recreation, had covered most of the states of the Union and Canada, and had well defined opinions on events and affairs outside of his immediate province. Mr. Kelley is a native of New England … Read more

Champ, William – Obituary

Large funeral state pioneer-William champ dies at Winlock and funeral held on Sunday-Baptist church would not hold nearly all the mourners-organized many Masonic lodges in the west. Sunday afternoon from the Baptist Church at Winlock were held the funeral services of William Champ of that city who died Saturday. The church would not begin to hold the people who were present to pay their respects to the memory of this old pioneer who came west and who first located in Olympia in 1860. Born in Kentucky in 1825-he would have been 88 year old in about one month-Mr. Champ joined … Read more

Biographical Sketch of D. H. Dillon

D. H. Dillon, merchant, P. O. North Branch, was born in Keokuk County, Iowa, October 12, 1846. Enlisted in the United States army, in Company A, Forty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. Came to Jewell County, Kan., in 1873, and took a homestead ten miles northwest of Burr Oak, in Walnut Township. In the spring of 1878 Mr. Dillon established himself in business, carrying a general stock of goods. He built a building in 1882, 22×40 feet, and has the same well filled with goods. He was appointed postmaster in May 1878, and named the office North Branch. With Malen Lamb, he … Read more

Tish, Jennie Belle Alderman – Obituary

Funeral services for Mrs. W. P. [William Preston] Tish were held at 2 o’clock Thursday afternoon from the Church of Christ. The Rev. N. W. Underwood, pastor of the church, conducted the services. Burial was made in West Liberty Cemetery west of town. Pallbearers were Ben Powell, George F. Johnston, R. F. Gregson, Sam E. Smith, George Pratt and Charles Zorn. Mrs. J. L. Ravitts and Mrs. George Morgan sang “We Are Going Down the Valley” and “There Will Be No Night There,” accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Forest Jenkins. Mrs. Tish died late Tuesday evening at her home. … Read more