Wapello County IA

Harker, James – Obituary

James Harker Is Called By Death; Aged Resident Answers Final Summons This Morning At 5:30 O’clock, was 82 years of age at the time of his death [November 20, 1906] and has lived in this city since 1876 – Funeral tomorrow. James Harker an aged and highly respected citizen, passed away this morning at 5:30 o’clock at the family resident on West Park Avenue. Mr. Harker was 82 years of age at the time of his death and is survived by his wife, Mrs. Xantippe Harker. The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock from the last … Read more

Swanson, Ina Pearl Harker – Obituary

Ina Pearl Swanson, 79, died Wednesday [July 25, 1969] at 6:20 p.m. at Ottumwa Hospital. She had been in failing health for several years and had been living in nursing homes. She was a former ready-to-wear saleswoman. The daughter of Alonzo and Laura Harker, she was born March 22, 1891, in Ottumwa, and lived here all of her life. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Order of Eastern Star Chapter 112, Beauceant and White Shrine. Her marriage to Oscar Swanson took place here on July 29, 1913. He died July 25, 1969. Mrs. Mabel Saul of Ottumwa is … Read more

Failyer, Margaret Malinda Speer – Obituary

After numerous attacks from heart ailment, Mrs. James Failyer died rather suddenly at her home just east of the Clarion office Monday night [May 11, 1936]. Her maiden name was Margaret Speer. On February 9, 1882 she was married to James Failyer. To them were born 11 children, 8 f them survive. They are Bert, Paul, Mrs. Grover Johnson, and Mrs. Charles Stroud of Richland, Mrs. Eva Readnour Rubio, Othie of Ottumwa, Austin of Cedar, and Mrs. Lillie Jackson of Ottumwa. There are 15 grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Failyer, since their marriage, have resided either in Keokuk or Wapello counties. … 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

Biographical Sketch of William B. Fair

William “Billy” Fair was born in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, N. Ireland, to James and Margaret (Graham) Fair on October 29, 1833. He learned the carpenter trade from his father. When he was 40 years old, he had saved enough money to come to America. The first ship across the Irish sea ran into a fierce storm and had to turn back. It was sometime before another ship was ready to sail. After he arrived in America in 1875, he took a train to Wapello, Iowa, where his father had homesteaded land earlier. While living in Louisa County, he became lonesome. … Read more

Linsley, Marie Geraldine Phillippe – Obituary

Visitation: Open after 12:00 o’clock noon with family present between the hours of 6:00 & 7:30 PM February 20, 2008 at Fremont Funeral Chapel Funeral Service: 10:30 AM February 21, 2008 at Fremont Funeral Chapel Interment: Cedar Township Memorial Cemetery in Fremont. Marie Linsley was born November 8, 1908 in rural Fremont, the daughter of Asa George & Carrie Lawson Phillippe. She graduated from Fremont High School in 1926. Marie was united in marriage to Gerald “Jerry” Linsley, February 7, 1942 in Lancaster, Missouri. She was employed as a telephone operator in Fremont for 15 years and also worked for … Read more

Harker, Alonzo – Obituary

Alonzo Harker was born May 11, 1857 near Hope, Bartholomew County, Indiana and died Sept. 22, 1891, at his home 1236 North Court St., Ottumwa, Iowa. He came to Ottumwa with his parents James and Xantippe Harker in 1876. He has lived in this city ever since except two years spent in Kansas. In 1877 he was baptized and received into membership of the First Baptist church of this city, of which church he has been a faithful member to the day of his death. October 16, 1879, he was married to Laura A. Bonwell, of Bartholomew County, IN, who, … Read more

Jackson, Lacy Grant – Obituary

Grant Jackson, 72, formerly associated with the Dain manufacturing Co. in Ottumwa, died Tuesday [July 14, 1953] at the home of his son, Warren Jackson at Chugwater, Wyo. His home is in Pasadena, Calif. He was born in October of 1880 in the Fremont community. He moved from Ottumwa to Chugwater in 1912, going to Pasadena about 10 years ago. Survivors include his wife, the former Susie Pedrick of Ottumwa; two sons, two daughters, and a sister, Mrs. Daisy Storm, Bentonsport. ————————————————- Double funeral services were held last Friday, July 17, at the Iowa Flats Church for Mr. and Mrs. … Read more

Harker, Harry – Obituary

Ottumwa Courier – June 15, 1946 Harry Harker, 59, of 223 north Marion St., died at 1:40 a.m. today [June 15, 1946] at the home of his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Swanson. The son of Alonzo and Laura Harker, he was born at Ottawa, KS, Nov. 15, 1887. He was a member of Ottumwa Lodge, #16, A. F. & A.M. Mrs. Swanson survives. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Lester Jay funeral home, conducted by the Rev. B. Frank Hasty, pastor of the First Baptist Church. Burial will be made in … Read more

Lawson, Mary Jane Howard – Obituary

Mrs. John Lawson, who resides three miles west of Hedrick died Tuesday June 17. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson were residents in Sigourney many years ago. Mr. Lawson was in business with Mr. Gaston. The deceased was a sister of Mrs. L. McCoy of Battle Creek, Michigan. Keokuk County News, June 9, 1902 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biography of Richard T. Keefe

Richard T. Keefe is secretary and treasurer of Henneberry & Company, packers and provisioners at Arkansas City. Mr. Keefe was one of the founders of this packing industry, and had been closely associated with its development. His active career had been devoted almost entirely to the packing industry and he had an ample experience with the great packing concerns of the country before he helped establish this independent plant at Arkansas City. Mr. Keefe was born in Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa, September 20, 1873. His father, Thomas Keefe, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1829, came to the United … Read more

Harker, Xantippe Lee – Obituary

Thursday, February 6 1908, at 3:15 a.m. at the home of L. Goehring, at 1259 Castle St., Mrs. Xantippe Harker, widow of the late James Harker, aged 76 years. The funeral services will be held at the Goehring residence Saturday afternoon, Feb. 8, at 1:30 o’clock conducted by Rev. F. G. Davies. Interment in Ottumwa Cemetery. [The headstone says she died on the 5th not the 6th . She was the daughter of Marshall Burr Lee and Ellen McEwen]. OBIT: Ottumwa Courier, Feb. 6, 1908 Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Biographical Sketch of Hon M. D. Clifford

M. D. Clifford, Circuit Judge of the Sixth District, was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1859. He came to Oregon in 1870, with his mother, settling in Grant County, and is virtually a self-educated man. In 1880 he began reading law in the office of Hill & Mays, at The Dalles and was admitted to the bar in 1882. Returning to Grant County he began the general practice of his profession. In 1884 he was elected district attorney of the Sixth Judicial District, and again in 1886 at the expiration of the latter term he resumed general practice until January … Read more

Swanson, Oscar – Obituary

Oscar W. Swanson, 81, a retired Barker Poultry Equipment Co., Salesman, died today [July 25, 1969] at 5:10 a.m., at Ottumwa Hospital, after being in failing health for several months. He formerly resided at 1335 N. Elm. The son of Erick and Emma Anderson Swanson, he was born in Ottumwa, July 31, 1887. He had been a lifetime resident here. A member of First Lutheran Church, he held 50 year memberships in Masonic Lodge No. 16, A. F. & A. M., the Kaaba Shrine, and Eastern Star Chapter No. 112. He also belonged to Clinton Chapter No. 9, Ottumwa Council … Read more

Biography of William H. Saylor, M.D.

William H. Saylor, M. D., was born in Wapello County, Iowa, August 17, 1843. His parents were Conrad G. and Mary A. (Black) Saylor. In 1852 he was brought by his parents across the plains to Oregon, and in the fall of that year arrived in Portland. In the succeeding spring the family went to Olympia, Washington Territory, remaining there until the summer of 1854 when they removed to a farm which his father had purchased in Rock Prairie. Here our subject lived until the breaking out of the Indian war of 1855 when the family, removed for protection to … Read more

Biography of David T. Miller

In both the military and political service of his country David Truxton Miller has won distinction by his loyalty to the public good, his fidelity to the trust reposed in him. On southern battle-fields he has followed the stars and stripes to victory, and in the civic department of the nation’s service he has labored to promote the principles which underlie good government and form the foundation upon which all stable prosperity must rest. He has inscribed his name high on the roll of Boise’s distinguished citizens, and is now serving as deputy collector of internal revenue there. Born in … Read more

Failyer, Thelma Louise Bird – Obituary

Thelma L. Bird Failyer, 68, of 204 Prospect, Kirkville, died at 5:15 p.m., July 13, 2000, at the Ottumwa Regional Health Center. She was born April 15, 1932, in Kirkville to Kenneth L. and Evelyn Glenn Bird. She married Gene Failyer on July 16, 1950 in Ottumwa. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1950 and worked as a substitute cook for the Fremont Community Schools. She is survived by her husband; a son, Ronald Failyer of Ottumwa; a daughter, Melinda Reed of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California; four grandsons; her mother of Kirkville, and a sister, Kay Brewer … Read more

Goehring, Lewis – Obituary

Lewis Goehring, 83, died at his home, 223 North Marion Street, Tuesday [October 22, 1935] at 7:30 p.m. after a long illness. He was a veteran grain merchant. Mr. Goehring was born in New York City, March 11, 1852, coming to this section of Iowa when he was 2 years of age. He was engaged in the grain business with Jones & Buchanan, later with the W. E. Jones Co., and with E. M. Robertson. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and a charter member of the Modern Woodman. He was also a member of the … Read more

Webb, James – Obituary

“James Webb’s Death Ends Long Illness” Death came to James Webb, old-time resident of Union, last Saturday at Hot Lake after a long illness. He was born in Iowa in 1874, and was aged 56 years, nine months and two days. He came west with the George Wilkinson family in 1890, and settled in High Valley, where he lived until his marriage to Nora Wilkinson in 1897. Thereafter he was a Union resident. He is survived by his widow and relatives in Iowa and Illinois. Mr. Webb was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Pythian Sisters, Woodmen of the … Read more