[Alexander "Alex" John]

Times Republican

Thursday    May 14, 1931    [p. 1]

Alex John Had Been Resident Here 76 Years

Prominent Citizen Passed Away Following A Stroke.

Civil War Veter'n

Was Active In Public Affairs; And Had Held Several County Offices

Alex John, well known and respected citizen of Bedford, also a Civil War veteran, passed away at his home Sunday evening, May 3, 1931.  Had he lived one more day he would have been 90 years of age.  Mr. John was stricken with paralysis on Monday previous to his death.  In his going there are only 5 remaining Civil War veterans in Bedford.  They are: T. R. Jones, G. B. Warren, C. C. Mohler, Howard Hensley and Mart Lowry.  The funeral services were held at the home Wednesday afternoon, May 6, conducted by Rev. J. W. Neyman of Missouri Valley, and assisted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell.  Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery.

Alexander John was born in Clinton County, Indiana, May 4, 1841, and died May 3, 1931, being within one day of ninety years of age.  When fourteen years of age, he, with his widowed mother and other members of the family, removed from Indiana to Bedford, Iowa, in the old time "covered wagon" drawn by oxen, covering the distance of more than five hundred miles in 30 days, and reaching their destination on July 4, 1855.  Bedford was, at that time, a hamlet of a score or two log cabins, not a vestige of which now remains.  For several years Mr. John has been the only living person claiming citizenship in Bedford at that date.

He united with the First Baptist Church soon after coming to Bedford, and until recently has always taken an active part in all church activities.  Politically, as in religion, he always sought to be tolerant and charitably disposed toward the views and opinions of others, believing that not all good is centered in one political party, or in any one sect, church, or religion.

In 1862 he enlisted in Bedford, in Company F, 29^th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving three years, until the end of the Civil War.

On Feb. 15, 1866, he was united in marriage to Eliza J. [ane] Shoemaker of Henderson County, Illinois.  To this union five children were born:  Mrs. E. [llis] C. [layton] Dowlin [Mattie] of Bedford; Mrs. J. [ohn] F. Kieffer [Alla], deceased; F. [rank] A. John of Lyman, Nebr.; Mrs. Glade Kinnison [Grace] of Oakland, Calif., and Mrs. W. [alter] A. Houck [Susie] of Bedford.  Within this family circle have also been born seventeen grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren.  The wife and mother passed away in June 1914.

For a period of about eight years he was Clerk of the Court, and Treasurer of Taylor County, and later Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.   He was for many years a member of the local Board of Education and took a very active part in securing the Bedford Public Library, and was for several years a member of the Board of Trustees.  During the World War he served as chairman of the Bedford Chapter of the American Red Cross Society.

He was for about thirty years a prominent breeder of purebred Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.

In 1918, having disposed of his farm home where he had lived for nearly 45 years, he moved to Bedford, where he has since resided, having lived in or near Bedford 76 years.

[Charles William Chilcote]

Times Republican

Thursday    October 16, 1930    [p. 4]

Charles William Chilcote

Charles William Chilcote, son of Israel and Susan [Coleman] Chilcote, was born in Lexington, Ia., Taylor County, March 5, 1865.  The parents came from the state of Ohio to this section and located in the vicinity of Lexington.  In the year of 1880 he moved to Conway where he made his home until 1900.  The succeeding year he moved to South Dakota and took up the work of ranching, in which business he continued for about fifteen years.  On November 7, 1907, he was united in holy wedlock to Mrs. Mary E. Spurling of Pierre, South Dakota, to which union there were born two children, Mary Lorena and Clarence Ernest.  In the year of 1916, he and his family left South Dakota and came back to Conway, Iowa, where they have made their home since.  For the past seven years he has been acting in the capacity of assistant postmaster.  Mr. Chilcote passed quietly to his eternal home Friday evening, October 10, 1930, at approximately 9:30 o'clock.  He had been in failing health for the past eleven years but was never critically ill until a comparatively recent date.  He was preceded in death by three sisters, Mrs. Mary McCracken, Miss Martha Chilcote and Mrs. Alice Leppo.  He leaves to mourn, besides his wife and children, three brothers, David, John, and Emery; and two sisters, Mrs. M. [iles] H. Litteer [Harriett Eva], and Mrs. Hester Mattice; and a host of distant relatives and friends.  Mr. Chilcote joined the Methodist Episcopal church of Conway when he was a young man, and continued his membership to the time of his death.  He was a God fearing man and always tried to do right in so far as the flesh was able.  He was a good friend and kind neighbor and his passing will be felt in the hearts of his many friends.

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the church in Conway, conducted by Rev. James Wilkins of Grand River.  Interment was made in the Lexington cemetery.

[Celia Ann Rutledge Williamson]

Times Republican

Thursday    September 11, 1930    [p. 4]

Mrs. Alonzo Williamson

Mrs. Alonzo Williamson [Celia Ann Rutledge], 70, died at her home in Creston, Friday.  She and her husband had been residents there only since May 1929, having moved from Hopkins, Mo.  She is survived by her husband, four daughters, Mrs. Bessie Russell, of Kansas City, Mo.; Mrs. Fern Thompson of Hopkins; Mrs. Caroline Detty and Mrs. Etta Clymens, of Creston, three sons, Bruce, of Gravity, Seth, of Canton, Ill., and Arlie, of Omaha.  Two children, Pearl and Lena, preceded her in death.

Short funeral services were held at the home at 12 o'clock Sunday.  The body was then taken to Hopkins, Mo., where services were held at the Baptist church at 2:30.  Burial took place at the Hopkins cemetery.

[Isabella Kauble Parris Hays]

Times-Republican

Thursday    January 17, 1929    [p. 3]

Mrs. Andrew J. Hayes

Isabella Kauble was born Sept. 11^th, 1848, in Des Moines County, near Burlington, Iowa, and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. [Grace] Balch, in Athelstan, Ia., December 31, 1928, aged 80 years, 8 months and 20 days.  She was united in marriage to Jonathan Paris, March 22, 1866.  To his union was born one child, Mrs. [Viola] Jane Booher, of Athelstan.  Mr. Paris died August 22, 1872.  She was again united in marriage to Andrew J. Hayes, July 23, 1877, who preceded her December 25, 1913.  To this union six children were born:  Clyde C., of St. Joseph, Mo.; Mrs. M. [argaret] E. Blake of Buffalo, Mo.; Mrs. E. [thel] O. Markee of Manchester, Iowa; Mrs. Grace Balch, Joe and Ora, of Athelstan, Iowa.  She united with the Baptist church in 1867, and has been a consistent Christian since.  She was a faithful wife, kind, loving mother, and good neighbor.  Since the death of her companion she has been kindly cared for by her children.  She has been an invalid for the past ten years, and was very patient during all of her suffering.  She leaves to mourn her departure, her seven children, 26 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The funeral services were held in the Athelstan Baptist Church, Jan. 2, 1929, conducted by Challie F. Graham, and the remains laid to rest in the cemetery near by.

[Malinda Ann Richard Fox]

Times-Republican

Thursday    January 17, 1919    [p. 3]

Mrs. William Fox

Malinda Ann Richard was born at Polk, Ashland County, Ohio, Nov. 4, 1840, and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Lola Woods, near Bedford, Jan. 11, 1929, at the age of 88 years, 2 months and 7 days.  She was the last survivor of her immediate family.  At the age of 12 years she became a member of the Methodist church and was an active member until her declining years, being a leader in the Sunday School for many years and active in the church work, and also taught in the public schools until the time of her marriage to William Fox, Aug. 30, 1865.  Immediately after their marriage they moved to Cedar, Iowa, where their three children were born, Mrs. Lola Woods of Bedford, Tully L., who preceded his mother in death July 7, 1921, and Mrs. Oma Bristow of San Francisco, Calif.  They came to Bedford with their family in 1893, living on a farm near Bedford for several years, then left the farm and resided in Bedford until 1907, at which time they moved to Pueblo, Colorado, which was their home until Aug. 30, 1921, at which time they came to spend their remaining days at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Lola Woods, where her husband preceded her in death October 26, 1921.  She had been in failing health for a number of years but her last sickness was just a few days, having contracted the flu, followed by pneumonia.  Due to her advanced years she was unable to withstand the ravages of the disease and passed quietly away.  Two daughters, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren and a host of friends remain.

 The funeral services were held at the local Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. M. R. Talley.  Interment was made in the Fairview cemetery.

[Della Christena Owens Eighmy]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    March 30, 1950    p. 3

Obituary - Mrs. Ralph Eighmy

Funeral services for Mrs. Ralph Eighmy were held at the Baptist Church Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Fred H. Cowles.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

Della Christena Owens, daughter of John B. and Electa [Golding] Owens, was born at Bedford, Iowa, November 22, 1883, and died March 21, 1950, at the age of 66 years, 5 months, 29 days.

On January 7, 1903, she was married to Ralph E. [merson] Eighmy.

She is survived by her husband, two sons, Beryl of Rockford, Ill., and Duane of Clarinda; three grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Ethel Crosswhite of Tulsa, Okla.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by an infant daughter.

Mrs. Eighmy was an active member of the Bedford Baptist Church, where she was faithful in Sunday school and Church attendance and greatly interested in the work of the Woman's Missionary Society.

[William Everett Clark]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     March 3, 1949    p. 9

Obituary - Everett Clark

William Everett Clark, son of James and Lela Clark, was born May 7, 1904, near Sharpsburg, and died February 17, 1949, at Deer Park, Washington, at the age of 44 years, 9 months and 10 days.

At the age of 14 years he became an active member of the Methodist church of Sharpsburg, and his membership was recently transferred to the Methodist Church at Deer Park.

He was married to Thelma Grace Peterson on March 6, 1937, at Bedford.  To them Sidney Everett was born.

They spent the first part of their married life in South Dakota and in 1941 the family moved to southern Idaho.  They later moved to Deer Park, Washington, where he was employed by the Deer Park Pine Industries.  Illness necessitated his retirement in October 1948.

During the last six months his health steadily declined.  He was a kind and loving son; a considerate and devoted husband and father; a good neighbor and a loyal friend.

Besides his wife and son, he is survived by his mother, who has been by his bedside during the last few weeks of his illness; two sisters, Eva and Allie Clark of Sharpsburg; one brother, James Clark of Deer Park, Washington.  Also a host of friends who will remember him in the several communities where the family has lived.

Following services held at the Deer Park Methodist Church on February 19, 1949, the body was brought to Sharpsburg, his old home town, and will be laid to rest in the old family plot at Gravity.

These lines were dedicated to him by those who loved him most.

If you should go before me, dear,

            walk slowly

Down the way of death, well

            worn and wide.

For I would want to overtake

            you quickly,

And seek the journey's ending

            by your side.

I would be forlorn not to descry

            you

Down some shining high road

            when I came,

Walk slowly dear, and often look

            behind you,

And pause to hear if someone

            calls your name!

[Fred Marley]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 2, 1947    [p. 1]

Fred Marley Dies At Home Here

Fred Marley, 65, died at the home of his sister, Mrs. Paul Trumbo [Jennie], Wednesday, October 1, following an illness of several weeks.

The funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 2 o'clock this Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. George W. Swan.  Burial was in the Bedford cemetery.

He is survived by the sister and three brothers, John E. [arl] Marley, Will [iam] Marley and Robert Marley, all of Bedford.

[William Kinney]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 2, 1947    [p. 1]

Former Resident Dies

William Kinney, 84, eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Kinney, of Bedford, died last week at Woodruff, Kansas.  He was a half-brother of Mrs. Emma Green of Bedford and formerly resided here.

[Sarah Rebecca Wells George]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    November 4, 1948   p. 4

Obituary - Mrs. Sarah R. George

Sarah Rebecca Wells was born November 28, 1865, in Mercer County, Missouri.

At the age of sixteen years, she obeyed the gospel and was baptized by Wm. E. Cobb of Bedford, Iowa.

In February of 1889, she was married to James N. [ewton] George of Hopkins, Mo., who preceded her in death in May 1941.

To them were born two daughters, Ena A. Covey of Louisville, Ky., and Ethel M. Campbell of Searcy, Ark.  She is survived by her daughters, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  Also by two sisters, Mrs. Maggie A. Margason and Mrs. Belle Thompson, both of Bedford; three cousins, Mrs. J. M. Little and Mrs. Sarah Bartley of Bedford, and Mrs. Rose E. Hook of Hopkins.

She passed away at Louisville, Ky., at the home of her daughter, Ena A. Covey, Oct. 24, 1948.

The funeral services were conducted at the Unity church east of Hopkins by Wm. J. Campbell of Davis City, Iowa.  Burial was in the New Hope cemetery.

[Armitta Dell Sleath Hays]

Clarinda Herald

Tuesday    May 13, 1958

Mrs. Armitta Hays

Armitta Dell Hays, daughter of John and Sarah Sleath, was born Aug. 7, 1877, at Grant City, Mo., and departed from this life May 1, 1958, at the Municipal Hospital [Clarinda, Iowa].

On June 20, 1897, she was united in marriage with Jacob William Hays.   To this union six children were born: Robert E. of California, Elba J. of North Dakota, Hershel T. of California, Vollie F. of Ventura, Ia., Mernie C. of Clarinda, and William B., who preceded his mother in death in September 1953.  Her husband preceded her in death on Jan. 19, 1932.

She leaves to mourn her passing five sons, one sister, Mrs. Clara Dailey, seven grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held May 5 at the Foster-Harmon-Williams Mortuary in Clarinda, with the Rev. J. L. Hunter, pastor of the Free Methodist Church, officiating.  Interment was in Old Memory Cemetery near New Market, [Iowa].

[Ira Walter Clark]

Clarinda Herald Journal

Thursday    October 9, 1958

Ira Walter Clark

Ira Walter Clark, eldest son of Seth J. Clark and Martha Ellen Carpenter Clark, was born in Page County near Clarinda Jan. 8, 1877.

He was united in marriage in 1901 to Martha Davis.  To this union one daughter was born, Violet Douglass of Shenandoah.  His first wife preceded him in death on May 12, 1902.

In 1910 he was united in marriage to Helen Abell.  To this union four children were born: Seth of Clarinda, Donald of Whittier, Calif., Nita Douthit of Des Moines and Frank of Bedford, all of whom survive.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Darwin Clark of Kansas City, Marvin Clark with the armed forces at Nancy, France, Allene Newburg and Janice Clark of Clarinda, Quinton and Barbara Douthit of Des Moines, Donald Clark, Jr. of Whittier, Calif., Clayton Jr. and Martha Jeanne Douglass of Wichita, Kan., and 12 great grandchildren; two brothers, Wilbur Clark of Nebraska and Robert Smith of Flint, Mich.; three sisters, Myrtle Mock of Clarinda, Edna Smith of Nampa, Idaho, and Mabel Martin of Norfolk, Neb.

He was a well-known farmer in the Pleasant Ridge community in Page County. He was active in school and community affairs and always willing to give his time to anyone in need.

He farmed in Iowa until 1935 when he moved to Missouri and continued farming until ill health made it necessary for him to retire.  He was in the Wallin nursing home of Clearmont, Mo., from Jan. 23, 1958, and passed away there Sept. 28, 1958, at 11 o'clock at the age of 80 years, eight months and 20 days.

Funeral services were conducted from the Walker Funeral Home at 2 p. m. Wednesday Oct. 1, 1958, with the Rev. Ralph G. Allen in charge.  Soloist was Horace Richardson, who sang "God Will Take Care of You" and "I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone."  Organist was Grace Perry.  Casket bearers who carried him to his final resting place in Old Memory Cemetery were George Wolduff, Junior Hardee, Ora McMullin, Durward Jackson, Max Jackson and Ray Jackson.

[Dale Henry Sleep]                         [Gerold Henry Sleep]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    October 16, 1958

Double Funeral Services For Father And Son

Funeral services for Dale Sleep and son, Gerold Sleep, were held Wednesday afternoon, October 15, at 2 o'clock in the Bedford Methodist Church.  Rev. Anthony Blankers, minister of the church, officiated.  Burial [was] in the Siam Cemetery.

Dale Henry Sleep was born August 10, 1900, on a farm west of Bedford, Iowa, and died Oct. 12 at St. Francis hospital, Maryville, Mo., as the result of a traffic accident that also took the life of his oldest son, Gerold Henry Sleep.

On August 24, 1928, he was united in marriage to Vera Blanche Murray of Bedford.  To this union eleven children were born, ten of whom survive to mourn his death: Mrs. Darlene Neville, Sterling, Colo.; Eldon Lee Sleep, Omaha, Nebr.; Wilbur Dean Sleep, Bedford; Robert Dale Sleep, Bedford; Marvin Allen Sleep, Bedford; Mrs. Marvis Ballard, Sioux City, Iowa; Betty Lou Sleep, Bedford; Johnny Murray Sleep, Bedford; Ronnie Ray Sleep, Bedford; Karen Kay Sleep, Bedford.

Also surviving are his wife, Mrs. Vera Blanche Sleep and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Frank Potter [Flossie], Bedford; Mrs. Roy Weatherly [Etta], Bedford; Mrs. Alvin Maxwell [Florence], Portland, Ore.; Carl Sleep, Hopkins, Mo.; Miss Ruth Sleep, Bedford; Mrs. Jason Neumeyer [Thelma], New Market; Mrs. Floyd Peterman [Orpha], Conway and Ralph Sleep, Bedford.  Also surviving are nine grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Sleep was interested in the welfare of his family and of his community.  He was a farmer and liked the out-of-doors.  He was a member of the Bedford Gun Club and a member of Taylor Lodge 156, A. F. and A. M. at Bedford.

Gerold Henry Sleep

Gerold Henry Sleep, son of Dale and Vera Blanche Sleep, was born on a farm near Bedford on July 27, 1929, and died October 11, 1958, northwest of Bedford at the scene of the tragic traffic accident that later claimed the life of his father.

Gerold attended the rural schools of Taylor County and lived all his life at home with his parents and brothers and sisters, with the exception of the time he spent in the service of his country.  He liked to be out in the fields, and he worked with his father in the business of farming.  He was inducted into the United States Army on May 22, 1951, serving for over a year in Japan during the Korean Conflict.  He was honorably discharged on May 15, 1953, after which for several years he was a member of the "Reserves."  He was a member of American Legion 164, Bedford, Iowa.

Gerold was unmarried.  He leaves to mourn his death his beloved mother and the ten brothers and sisters and other relatives mentioned in the obituary of his father.