Wapello County IA Genealogy – Access Genealogy

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

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

Biography of Henry H. Abernathy

There are few of the representative and respected men of Idaho whose residence in the state antedates that of Mr. Abernathy, who came to the territory thirty-seven years ago and has been identified with the development of the Salubria valley since 1868. The old Indian trails, the uncultivated lands, the unopened mines and the uncut forests then to be seen, all told that the work of civilization lay in the future, and the subject of this review has been one of the advance guard that has carried forward the work of progress and improvement until Idaho is, indeed, the veritable … Read more

Phillippe, Mildred Swenson – Obituary

Mrs. Mildred Phillippe, 67, of LaCrosse, WI, formerly of Ottumwa died Saturday [December 27, 1969] in LaCrosse. She had been ill four months. She was the daughter of A. X. and Effie Sprague Swenson and was born Feb. 9, 1902 in Ottumwa, and resided there until moving to LaCrosse in 1954. She married Roi Phillippe in 1923 in Ottumwa, he survives, as does a son Gene W. of Milwaukee, one daughter Mrs. Carol Hackner of LaCrosse, five grandchildren and one brother Norman Swenson, and father A. X. Swenson, both of Ottumwa. Burial at Ottumwa Cemetery. Memorials to Trinity Episcopal Church … Read more

Biography of John L. McKinnis

JOHN L. McKINNIS. – This prominent and representative citizen of Union county is one of the leading agriculturists of this section, as well as being one of the most successful business men, having demonstrated his ability in the realms in which he has wrought in such a decided manner that he has placed his name rightly among the distinguished manipulators of industrial affairs in the eastern part of the state, while commensurate with this brilliant display is the stanch character of worth of which he is possessed, and the sterling qualities of moral distinction which characterize his entire walk. John … 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

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

Biography of William P. Bowen

William P. Bowen. For thirty years or more the name Bowen has been extensively associated with milling industries in Southern Kansas. William P. Bowen owns the only flour and feed milling enterprise at Independence, and this was established by himself and his father a great many years ago in connection with several other mills of the same kind located in other parts of the state. Mr. Bowen is not only a business man but a citizen well known throughout Montgomery County. He has filled the post of mayor of his home city, and has done much to advance community welfare. … Read more

Biography of William L. Fugate

WILLIAM L. FUGATE. – The well known and representative citizen whose name is at the head of this article is one of the men who have wrought assiduously for the advancement of Union county and especially of the section where he has been domiciled, being one of the leading citizens of Summerville, where he holds the responsible position of justice of the peace, and also operates a collection agency as well as attending to much business as an underwriter, being one of the highly respected and highly esteemed men of the town. Mr. Fugate was introduced to this life on … Read more

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

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

Lee, Marshall B. Jr. – Obituary

Marshall Bartholomew [middle name is really Burr as he was named after his father] Lee was born in Bartholomew County, Indiana, on May 9, 1850, [Headstone says he was born October 14] and came to Mahaska County with his parents in 1851. He was one of eleven children and when about five years of age his father died. He grew to manhood on the home place south of town, doing his share of the labor on the farm necessary to conduct it successfully. On May 9, 1875, he was married to Miss Hannah Wolfe. Soon after his marriage he bought … Read more

Iowa Atlases, Farm Directories, and Plat Books

This collection contains digital atlases, farm directories, and plat books for all 99 Iowa counties. We have collated these from a variety of online sources, and provide them here as a single source for all online Iowa County Atlases, Farm Directories, and Plat Books.

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

Biography of William Francis Holcomb

William Francis Holcomb, a member of the Society of California Pioneers of San Bernardino County, and the discoverer of gold in the valley which bears his name, was born in Indiana in 1831, but his parents moved to Will County, Illinois, in his infancy, where they lived till he was eight years old. They then went, in 1839, to Iowa and located in Portland, Van Buren County Iowa. His father having died, his mother moved with her family in 1845 up into Wapello County and took up a piece of Government land. The same year his oldest brother, Stephen Holcomb, … 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

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

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, 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