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Ft. Madison, IA Detective Wanted

BECHTEL, DRAKE, SMITH, STONE, WATSON, ZIMMERMAN

Posted By: Dee (email)
Date: 4/30/2005 at 09:47:52

I am looking for a death cerificate on my great grandfather, John Willis WATSON.

A bit of his history: He was born 14 June 1886 in Saline County, Illinois to William Gordon and Rebecca (nee SMITH) WATSON. He married my great grandmother, Dessie Alma DRAKE, on 15 Sept 1916 in Shawneetown, Gallatin County, Illinois. Between 1928 and 1936 Willis and Dessie divorced. On 16 Sep 1936 he remarried to Lucy A. Stone (nee BECHTEL), daughter of Frederick W. & Hannah (nee ZIMMERMAN) BECHTEL. Lucy was born 29 Dec 1884 in Eureka, Woodford County, Illinois. Lucy first married Green B. Stone on 17 Aug 1904. They had 6 children (four sons and 2 daughters). Green died before 1930, as Lucy is listed as "widowed" in the Lomax, Henderson County, Illinois US Federal Census. Lucy WATSON died 24 Jan 1958 at her home in Dallas City, Hancock County, Illinois. Willis and Dessie WATSON are both interred in row 13 of Harris Cemetery, Dallas City, Hancock County, Illinois.

I know Willis and Lucy resided in Dallas City, Hancock County, IL for the remainder of their lives. Willis worked for or ran a creamery in Dallas City and also grew large crops of tomatoes and sold them to the area canneries there. Willis WATSON died 11 Aug 1947, however I do not have an exact location. I have contacted the Hancock County Courthouse on several occasions (via mail request and phone) and they have searched their index several times, with unsuccessful results. It was suggested to me, by the county recorder there, to look in Ft. Madison, Lee County, Iowa. She said it was not uncommon for people to be taken across the river to a hospital in Ft. Madison. If this was the case, his death certificate would be in Lee County, Iowa.

I was hoping someone would be willing to check with the Rashid Library in Ft. Madison or with the courthouse there to see if anyone can find my great grandfather listed in a death index for Lee County, Iowa.

Also, if you know of another way for me to find out if Willis was, in fact, pronounced dead in Lee County, please let me know.

Thank you, in advance, for your most valuable time and assistance.

Sincerely,
Dee

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