Wapello County IA

Lee, Harley Essex – Obituary

Kansas City–Harley E. Lee, one of the five Lee brothers who founded the old Lee Hotel, now the Huckins, Oklahoma City, died Monday [June 13, 1960]. He was 75. Lee was prominent in real estate and investment and moved here from Oklahoma City in 1922. He developed one of the leading housing developments in Leewood, a suburb of Kansas City. He and his four brothers became partners in Oklahoma real estate in the early 1900s. Lee was a native of Ottumwa, Iowa. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Stiner and McClure Funeral Home. Burial will be at 1 … 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

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 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 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

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

WPA Iowa Graves Registration Survey

WPA – Work Projects Administration – 1930’s Iowa Graves Registration Survey Adair County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Adams County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Allamakee County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Audubon County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Black Hawk County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Boone County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Bremer County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Buchanan County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Buena Vista County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Butler County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Calhoun County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Carroll County Iowa – WPA Grave Registration Cass County Iowa … 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 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

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

Dryden, Doris Edwardine Smith Mrs. – Obituary

Doris Edwardine Smith Dryden, 91, of Baker City, died Jan. 14, 2005, at Settlers Park Assisted Living. Services will be scheduled later at Escondido, Calif. Cremation was by Gray’s West Pioneer Crematory. Doris was born Sept. 6, 1913, at Ottumwa, Iowa. She was the only child of Dorrance Edward Smith and Ruth Eleanor Schamp. She and her parents resided in Ottumwa for several years before moving to Southern California. When she was only about 4 years old, she and her mother spent several visits with her mother’s parents Maj. and Mrs. C.E. Schamp in Brownsville, Texas, where he was stationed … 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

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 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

Biography of Ervin W. Johnson

For many years actively connected with the development and progress of different sections of this state, Mr. Johnson is now the proprietor of the Overland Hotel, in Boise, and is regarded as one of the most popular and best known citizens of Idaho. A native of Ottumwa, Iowa, he was born March 17, 1857, a son of William W. and Eliza A. (Myers) Johnson. His father, a native of Indiana, born in 1829, died in Ottumwa, Iowa, in 1867, and his wife, who was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, also departed this life in Iowa. By profession Mr. Johnson was … 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

Biography of James Webb

JAMES WEBB. – To the industrious and progressive agriculturist and stockman, whose name initiates this paragraph, we are pleased to accord a representation in this volume of chronicles of Union county, since he is one of the substantial citizens of the county, having wrought out here a commendable success in the vocations which he follows, while his uprightness and integrity have won for him the confidence of the entire community. Born to John and Arminda (McKinnis) Webb, in Wapello county, Iowa, on January 2, 1874. James knew nothing of a father’s guiding hands, as John Webb died in March of … Read more

Lee, Ellen McEwen – Obituary

A Fatal Accident Aged Fremont Woman Falls Into a Cellar Way Kirkville, Feb. 15. — Grandma Lee, mother of M. B. Lee, was making her home with her son and family, met with an accident, Tuesday which cost her her life. She opened what she thought was the door to her room but instead opened the cellar door and fell to the bottom of the cellar, sustaining injuries from which she died soon after. Mrs. Lee was almost a centenarian, being about 90 years old. Obituary: Ella McEwen Lee Ella McEwen was born in North Carolina Dec. 23, 1810. She … 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