"Resident of the
Month"
Interviews featuring residents at the Postville Good Samaritan
home.
- F -
Transcribed by S. Ferrall for Allamakee co.
IAGenWeb
Any notes following the biographies were added by S. Ferrall.
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Eva (Webb) Fay
Eva Blanche Webb, youngest daughter of Rozilla Dresser and Henry Webb, was born April 24, 1879 on the family farm about five miles east of Postville where the family lived for over 40 years. This place is now owned and operated by Herman Polfer.
She received her education in the little one room school house, one mile south of the farm which was known as South Grove School.
She had four sisters and one brother, namely: Mrs. Cash Smith (Lucy); Mrs. John Staddt (Ida); Mrs. Eugene Owen (Melissa) and Mrs. Adolph Thias (Bertha); and Herman D. Webb. All have passed away.
On Dec. 11, 1901 she was united in marriage to George Washington Fay at her family home. They went to live on the Fay farm home. In December, 1905 they moved to Postville to live. This was her home until she could no longer stay alone.
Her husband worked at the Citizen's State Bank until his death on September 12, 1933.
Mrs. Fay was taken to the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon when illness prevented her from living alone. She came back to her home for a short period, but again found she was not able to care for herself, so she went to live at North Gate Manor in Waukon shere she spent about four years. When the Postville Center opened she was transferred here.
~Postville Herald, Wednesday, January 31, 1973 (column: Resident of the Month, Good Samaritan Center, Postville, Iowa). There was not a photo with Mrs. Fay's biography.
~Eva Fay's obituary
~George W. Fay's obituary
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Bertha (Hammel) Folsom
One of the busiest residents of the Good Samaritan Center in Postville is Bertha Folsom who has lived there since January 1, 1972. She participates in all activities at the Center and is otherwise busy knitting caps and crocheting.
Born November 2, 1885 on a farm near Postville, she was a daughter of John and Caroline Hammel. She attended school at the West Grove country school and helped care for her seven sisters and four brothers, including twin sisters Mrs. Frank (Rudy) Lawson and Mrs. Larue (Ruth) Webster.
She was married to Lee B. Folson on March 25, 1908. They purchased a farm in Grand Meadow township and developed their homestead Highland View Farm, so named because it was the highest point between McGregor and Postville.
In 1925 Bertha and Lee went to North Carolina to visit friends and then to Kentucky to purchase a Tennessee walking colt which was delivered to their farm. They named it Gee Whiz. After retiring from farming Lee devoted his time to his hobby and exhibiting them at horse shows. They had many friends come to Highland View Farm to ride horses.
Mr. Folsom also helped organize the Villa Louis at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He died June 20, 1948. Mrs. Folsom then sold the farm and purchased a home in Postville where she kept teachers as roomers.
She is a member of the Postville Community Presbyterian Church and also a charter member of the Eastern Star.
~Postville Herald, Wednesday, September 4, 1974 (column: Resident of the Month, Good Samaritan Center, Postville, Iowa)
~Bertha Folsom's obituary
~Lee Folsom's obituary
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Ellen (Bernard) Fritz
Ellen was born November 5, 1883 on a farm near Giard. She walked 2 1/2 miles to attend classes at the Hawkeye County school. She attended church regularly, sang in the choir and also played piano. She and her brother Clarence went away to college but were so lonesome they returned to the home farm.
Ellen has always placed her family and home first. Asked if she ever traveled she replied, "Yes, to the cornfield to pick corn and back home."
March 5, 1909, she was married to Edward J. Fritz in Giard. They were parents of two children, Norbert Fritz, on the home farm at Monona and Mrs. Audrey Wickersham of Marion. Mr. Fritz died in October, 1960.
Mrs. Fritz has been a resident at the center since May 13, 1971. She enjoys playing cards and participates in the activities at the home.
~Postville Herald, Wednesday, December 5, 1973 (column: Resident of the Month, Good Samaritan Center, Postville, Iowa)
~Ellen (Bernhard) Fritz's obituary
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