Wapello County IA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, 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

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

Iowa Atlases, Farm Directories, and Plat Books

1859 Map of Washington County Iowa

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.

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

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 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

Failyer, James Howard – Obituary

James Howard Failyer was born October 2, 1858 near Kirkville, Iowa. His parents were George W. and Catherine [Lee] Failyer. He was married February 9, 1882 to Margaret Speer. Eleven children were born to them, three of whom besides his wife, preceded him in death. Mr. Failyer passed away January 1, 1944 at the age of 85 years and three months. He was ill only a few weeks. The surviving children are Mrs. Charles Stroud, Mrs. Grover Johnson, Mrs. Eva Readnour and Bert Failyer of Richland; Paul Failyer of Victor, Iowa; Austin of Kirkville; O. G. Failyer and Mrs. W. … Read more

Failyer, Cathrine E. Lee – Obituary

Died, at her home in Kirkville, Kate Failure, wife of G. W. Failure [Failyer]. Mrs. Failure had been a great sufferer for the past eighteen years, but she bore her sufferings meekly until the end came on Wednesday, Aug. 29. Mrs. Failure was 59 years of age and the mother of six children, two of whom, a son and daughter, with her husband still survive her. She was converted and united with the church at the early age of 14 and was ever a consistent member until death released her from suffering. Her family and friends have the heartfelt sympathy … 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

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

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