Wapello County IA

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

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

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

Brown, Walter ‘Junior’ – Obituary

Walter “Junior” Brown, 78, of Sigourney, died Mon., May 12, 2003, at his home. He was born June 1, 1924, in rural Kirkville, the son of Walter and Maggie Brown. He was raised and educated in the Kirkville area. He was united in marriage to Rosemary Failyer on Nov. 8, 1941, in Lancaster, Mo. He farmed his entire life in the Fremont, Ottumwa and Sigourney area. In later years he worked at Keoco Auction in Sigourney. He was a member of the Eagles. He enjoyed square dancing, western movies, showing mules at the Keokuk County Fair, the Keokuk County Expo, … 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

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

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

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, 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

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

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