More Emmet county obituaries: A-B, C-D, E-F-G, H-I, J-K, L-M-N, O-P, Q-R, S-T-U-V, W-X-Y-Z.
Mrs. Quastad, Long-time County Resident, Dies
Came to Emmet 55 Years Ago.
Mrs. O. O. Quastad, 79, died at five a. m. today [Sept. 4, 1946] at her home at 1020 Third Avenue South. She had been ill with cancer over a period of ten years and had been bedridden for about a year.
Mrs. Quastad was born in Norway on March 22, 1867 and came to this country at the age of two when her family settled in Lee, Ill. In 1891 Mrs. Quastad. whose maiden name was Flavabo [Fladebo], married Ole O. Quastad and with her husband moved to Emmet county where she had resided since. They were engaged in farming about 10 miles east of Estherville until 20 years ago when they moved to the city.
Preceded in death by her husband who died in 1932, Mrs. Quastad is survived by five children: Mrs. A. K. Olson of Estherville, Mrs. W. J. Reed of Ringsted, Miss Anna Quastad of 1020 Third Avenue South, Adolph Quastad of Armstrong and John Quastad of Estherville.
She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran church near Gruver. [She is buried in Swan Lake cemetery beside her husband.]
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, September 4, 1946, and family information.
OLE O. QUESTAD PASSES ON WED. AT HOME HERE
Deceased Was 65 Years Old; Emmet County Resident 30 Years
Ole O. Questad passed away on Wednesday evening [Oct. 12, 1932] at his home. The deceased was a resident of Estherville for eight years and lived on a farm near Gruver for 30 years. His death, which occurred at about 5:30 Wednesday evening was caused by shaking palsy, from which he has suffered for fourteen years. His death was precipitated by a fall on August 2, since which time he has been bedridden.
The deceased is survived by his widow and five children, Mrs. A. K. Olson of Gruver, Mrs. W. J. Reed of Maple Hill, John of Gruver, Adolph of Armstrong and Anna of Estherville.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 o'clock at the home and at 2:00 o'clock at the Immanuel church, south of Gruver, of which Rev. Peder Nordsletten is pastor. Burial will be made in the Swan Lake cemetery.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, October 13, 1932.
Services Monday for Mrs. Ella Randall, 66
Mrs. Emma Emily Randall, 66, Estherville, died at 9 a.m. today [22 May 1970] at Holy Family Hospital from cancer.
She was born Jan. 4, 1904 to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Flindt at Estherville. She was educated in the Estherville schools and attended Estherville Junior College for two years.
She taught school in rural Emmet County and was an instructor at the Madam Kennedy School Beauty School in Des Moines. In May, 1943, she was married to Wade Randall at Albany, Ga. She and her husband managed hotels until 1952 when they moved to Estherville. She operated a beauty shop here for a number of years.
She was a member of the Christian faith.
Survivors include her husband Wade, of Estherville; one stepson, B. H. Randall of Santa Rosa, Calif.; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Kenneth (Clair) Rice of Walnut Creek, Calif.; seven grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Lauretta Stevens of Estherville.
She was preceded in death by her parents [Gilbert Flindt and Clystia Mudge Flindt].
Funeral services will be Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Reese-Henry Chapel in Estherville with the Rev. Robert Karl Miller officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Friends may call at the Reese-Henry from Sunday morning after 10:00 a.m. until time of service on Monday.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, May 22, 1970.
Jorgen Rasmussen one of the old and respected citizens of this community passed away at 3 o'clock Wednesday morning after an illness of about ten days. The direct cause of his death was a cold contracted a little over a week ago, together with the infirmities of old age.
Mr. Rasmussen was 87 years of age. He came to this country from Denmark with his wife in 1882 and settled in Manistee, Michigan. They resided there only a year moving on a farm near Clear Lake in 1883. They moved to Denmark township in Emmet county in 1902, purchasing the farm now owned by C. E. Christiansen. They farmed the place until 1912 when they retired renting the farm and later selling it.
He was married in Denmark to Maren Hansen and to this union three children were born. H. J. Rasmussen, of Ringsted, is the only surviving child. Mr. Rasmussen was a member of a large family of children of whish only one survives his brother, L. Rasmussen, of Ringsted. His wife also survives him and she has been an invalid for several years past.
He early in life united with the Lutheran church and has led a faithful Christian life. He has been a member of the St. Paul's congregation since his residence in this community.
Funeral services will be held from H. J. Rassmussen home on Friday at 1 o'clock and at the St. Paul's church at 1:30 and interment will be made in St. Paul's cemetery east of town.---Ringsted Dispatch
Contributed by: Diane Lavender. Source: Estherville Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Iowa, February 25, 1920.
Mass of Christian Burial for Christine Ann Rawlings, 47, of Estherville was held 2 p.m. Monday, April 17 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville with Father Jerry Cosgrove as Celebrant. Internment was at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery. She died Friday, April 14, 2006, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, S. D.
Visitation was Sunday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville.
Christine Ann Sorenson, the daughter of Henry "Arnie" and Dorothy (Hlebechuk) Sorenson, was born Jan. 30, 1959, in Stillwater, Minn.
Chris graduated from Estherville High School in 1977. Following high school, Chris lived in Oklahoma city, Okla., for a while where she was employed with Halliburton Oil Company. Later she moved to Denver, Colo., and worked for Burlington Northern Railroad. The she returned to Estherville and was employed at both Style-Craft in Milford and Estherville Honda Yamaha Sports Center in Estherville. After her return to Estherville she returned to school and graduated from Iowa lakes Community College in the summer of 2001. She attended Buena Vista University from 2001 through 2003 and graduated with her Bachelor's Degree. Then Chris attended Capella University and graduated with her Master's Degree in Science and Psychology. Chris was currently working on her Doctorate's Degree. In her leisure time Chris enjoyed spending time with her dogs; attending her children's sporting events, and cooking.
She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Estherville.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Amanda Rawlings of Estherville; Grant Rawlings of Mitchell, S. D.; mother Dorothy Sorenson of Estherville; brothers, Henry Sorenson and his wife, Lana of Corning; Michael Sorenson and his wife Cindy, of West Des Moines; Mark Sorenson and his wife, Stacy of Oklahoma City, Okla.; sisters, Rosemarie Croner and her husband, Jeff of Estherville; Dr. Margaret Sorenson of Oklahoma City; June Neal and her husband, Wayne McKinney, Texas; Karen DeMuth of Estherville; Annette Dalen of Estherville; special friend, Andrew; many nieces and nephews, and her dogs, Webster and Amy.
Preceding Chris in death were her father, Arnie; step-father, Ed Peters; and brother, Gary Sorenson.
Source: The Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, April 18, 2006.
MRS. CHAS. REED IS DEAD AT 59
WELL KNOWN CITIZEN SUCCUMBS
Mrs. Charles Reed, who lived southwest of the city, passed away last night after an illness of eight weeks.
Mrs. Charles A. Reed was born at Estherville on May 14, 1871 and lived in Emmet county all her life. She died on Dec 2 at the age of 59. Surviving her are four daughters, Mrs. J. Bosworth of Comstock, Wisconsin, Mrs. Harry Allen of Spirit Lake and Rose and Verna Reed at home, two brothers, Cecil Riggs of Estherville and Ed Riggs of Northfield, Minn. and two sisters, Mrs. Clyde Beatty and Mrs. Ed Beatty of Spirit Lake.
Funeral arrangements will not be made until all the relatives have arrived, it was said.
Contributed by: Doreene Hansen.
Lydia May Riggs, daughter of Isaac and Alice Riggs, was born at Estherville, Iowa, May 14, 1871. She passed from this life Tuesday, December 2, 1930, being 59 years, six months and 18 days old. She lived practically her whole life in this community, attending the Estherville schools, and being a member since 1891 of the Christian Church of Estherville. March 2, 1893, she was married to Charles A. Reed. Six children were born to them, four of whom survive, Mrs. Jay Bosworth of Comstock, Wis.; Mrs. Harry Allen, of Spirit Lake; Rose Leah and Verna, survive her. Two children, Earl and Pearl, died in infancy. For some years she made a place in her heart and home for her nephew, Francis Riggs.
The outstanding features of her life were her devation (devotion) to her home
and to her church. She was a charter member of the First Christian Endeavor
Society in this church. She was president of the Women's Missionary Society, and
the teacher of the Loyal Women's Bible class, but her sympathies took in the
whole circle of church life. She loved the services of the church and her great
ambition was to be able to serve the church. She was deaconess, a servant of the
church, visiting the sick and taking her turn at preparing the communion table.
She did her work against all odds and under handicaps which would probably have
daunted most of us. Her last illness was particularly trying, but she passed
quietly and peacefully from this life as one who had laid down a great burden.
Let say of her as Jesus said of another woman. "She hath done what she could."
She is survived by her husband, Charles A. Reed; her children before mentioned;
two brothers, Cecil Riggs of Estherville, and Ed Riggs of Northfield, Minn.; two
sisters; Mrs. Clyde Beatty and Mrs. Ed Beatty, of Spirit Lake; and a great host
of friends and fellow Christians.
Funeral services were held Friday, December 5th, at 2:30, with Alva L. Ragsdale, pastor in charge. Interment in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Contributed by: Doreene Hansen.
Mrs. Sam Reed of Dolliver Dies at Her Home
Mrs. Sam Reed, 90, of Dolliver died yesterday at her home in Dolliver. Mrs. Reed had spent the winter months with her daughter, Mrs. Mima Wertz of Estherville. She had gone to her home in Dolliver Friday afternoon, April 26, and the following morning fell and broke her hip.
Mrs. Reed was taken to a hospital in Fairmont where she was confined for two weeks after which she was taken back to her home in Dolliver where she has been cared for since.
Funeral Wednesday
Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at the Reed home in Dolliver.
Sylvia Bailey was born June 17, 1854 in Illinois. The Reeds came to Iowa from Illinois in January 1891, and for 12 years lived on a farm west of Dolliver. Then they moved to Dolliver where they have lived since. Mr. Reed died four years ago on July 1.
Nine Children Survive
Ten children were born to the couple, none of whom survive. They are Walter Reed of Fairmont, Ruth Caylor of Dolliver, who has been caring for her mother, Mrs. Ben Trimble of Cheyenne, Wyo., Mrs. Mima Wertz of Estherville, J. O. Reed of Minneapolis, Mrs. J. R. Campbell of Compton, Calif., Mrs. F. R. Dowden of Spirit Lake, Mrs. A. R. Eckhart of Dolliver and D. M. Reed of Hollendale, Minn.
Mrs. Reed is also survived by 41 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Source: The Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, July 5, 1944.
Graettinger people were saddened Friday evening by the news that Willard (Dugan) Reeves, 20, of Estherville, had passed away, a victim of lockjaw. News of his critical illness was published in last week's Times and as lockjaw is a serious ailment there was much anxiety about him. But he was young and rugged and most people were confident he would recover.
It is presumed the blood poisoning was caused from a sliver that entered his arm while working near a horse manger. The sliver was removed but the wound resulted in tetanus, commonly called lockjaw. A couple of days after receiving the injury from the sliver he gave his wife a blood transfusion. She was a medical patient at the time. She is now being given serum treatment as a precaution against lockjaw.
Dugan, as he was familiarly known by all, became ill on Tuesday. He went into a coma Wednesday and never regained consciousness. In addition to the injury from the sliver and the blood transfusion he recently had a tooth pulled. When his jaws first started to ache last week he thought he had the mumps.
The funeral was held Monday afternoon at two o'clock at the First Methodist church, Estherville. The pastor, the Rev. John De Long, was assisted by the Rev. McMekkon, of Gruver. The large church was packed to capacity by sorrowing friends. Banks and banks of beautiful flowers surrounded the casket. Interment was in Oak Hill cemetery , Estherville. Pallbearers were Gilbert England, Eldon Miner, Alvin Johnson, Calvin Caywood, David Baumgartner, and Al Lauritzen.
Willard Max Reeves was born in Graettinger June 9, 1928. He received his education in the Graettinger schools. On June 13, 1947, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Tromp, of Gruver. The young couple subsequently made their home at Estherville.
About two weeks ago the young couple moved onto his father's farm northeast of Graettinger. They had made arrangements during the winter to operate the farm.
His sad and untimely death is mourned by his heart broken wife who, with their six months' old daughter survive. His death is also keenly felt by his sorrowing parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ben F. Reeves, of Estherville.
The death of this splendid young man is mourned by all the people of Graettinger who knew him and who know the family. Dugan's boyhood years were spent here and friends knew him as a serious minded youngster. He loved horses and dogs and athletic games, particularly baseball and when quite young was the leader of an outstanding team of teen age ball players. It is these things that come to mind to friends saddened by Dugan's death.
He was not only a splendid boy, but in young manhood was ambitious, loyal and trustworthy and anxious and determined to succeed in life. He was a devoted young husband and father, a son who honored his parents, and a brother whose loyalty was evident in all his actions.
Death is always sad and it is particularly sad when it strikes the young so suddenly and so unexpectedly. Willard Reeves had every reason to look forward to many years of joy and happiness and success. Loved ones who surrounded him had the same reason to feel that this was true. This is what makes the pangs of separation so hard to bear. We know the trials of the past and the sorrows of the present but can not perceive the future. Human nature at its strongest is but frail and we do not know the pitfalls that lie ahead. The ones whom God loves most are often protected in the way that He knows best.
The Times extends heartfelt sympathy to the wife and baby daughter, to the grief stricken parents and the sorrowing brothers and sisters and other relatives.
Source: The Graettinger Times, Graettinger, Iowa, April 15, 1949.
Obituary of Mrs. Refsell; Was Pioneer
The funeral service for the late Mrs. James Refsell of Wallingford, Ia. was held Tuesday afternoon, March 14, 1939. [She died 11 March, 1939.]
In spite of the bad roads and the inclement weather, there was a very large gathering of relatives and friends and old acquaintances. The deceased lived in Emmet County for 70 consecutive years, and was held in highest esteem by the many who had learned to know her.
A brief service was conducted at the home at 1:30 o'clock. The service proper was held in the Wallingford church. Mrs. Refsell was the first member of this congregation to be buried from the new church edifice. The service started at 2 p.m. Rev. Peder Nordsletten officiated. He was ably assisted during the service by two of the former pastors, Rev. T. Hanson of Lakefield, Minn., and Rev. G. O. Paulsrud of Randall, Iowa. A mixed quartette composed of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Gunderson, LaVerna Olson and Ernest Skattebo sang two numbers. They were accompanied by Alfred Ness. Chas. Anderson of the Mahlum and Anderson firm at Estherville, Iowa directed the funeral.
The following men acted as the pallbearers: O. E. Jorstad, C. I. Skattebo, L. B. Osher, I. G. Ness, Wallingford; Dr. B. T. Osher, Estherville and H. H. Schmidt, Spirit Lake.
The body of the late Mrs. Refsell was laid to rest in the Wallingford cemetery one mile east of town. In addition to the many floral offerings, gifts totaling $76.75 were also given in memory of the departed one.These gifts were designated to the Ebenezer Old People's Home of Minneapolis, Minn., to the Foreign and Home Missions of the Norwegian church of this country, to the Book Mission of this same church body, to radio station WCAL of Northfield, Minnesota, to the church building fund of the Estherville Lutheran church.
Angona Osher, the last living member of a family of nine children of Mr. and Mrs. Niels O. Osher, was born near Deerfield, Dane county, Wis., March 4, 1858. There she lived until 12 years of age when the family in 1870 came by covered wagon to Emmet county, locating on a farm two miles southeast of Wallingford. During this pioneer period there were no regularly organized congregations or church, but she received religious instruction and was confirmed by Rev. John Seleen of Dunnell, Minn., who then conducted religious services occasionally in this vicinity.
The farm purchased by her parents continued to be the family home and later became her own home when she, in 1886, was united in marriage to James Refsell. Here her two children were born, Emma Refsell of Wallingford and O. N. Refsell of Estherville.
In 1900 this family moved to a farm four miles west of Wallingford and in 1902 to another place two miles northwest of town where they lived until 1915 when Mr. and Mrs. Refsell established themselves on the acreage at the north edge of Wallingford selected as the home of their old age.
Her husband, James Refsell, preceded her in death in 1926. Since that time she and her daughter continued to occupy that home. During the last couple of years she slowly lost her health; her condition did not appear critical until the last week of her life.
March first she celebrated her eighty-first birthday and though weak, appeared to be in good spirits. From then she failed rapidly until she passed away Saturday morning, March 11th at the age of 81 years and 1 week.
She leaves to mourn their loss her daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and two grand daughters, Helen Ann and Eunice Refsell.
Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, March 16, 1939.
REFSELL, Birgit (Betsey)
MRS. O. O. REFSELL
Mrs. Birgit O. Refsell, nee Olson, was born in Gol, Hallingdal, Norway on Sept. 4, 1863, where she was baptized and confirmed. She immigrated to America, together with her sister, Mrs. James Johnson of Inwood, in the spring of the year 1883, and came to Estherville to make her home with her sister, Mrs. K. R. Hougan of Terril.
On July 18, 1889, she was united in marriage to O. O. Refsell by J. O. Kasa, then pastor at Wallingford. To this union five children were born, four boys and one girl. One of the sons, Morris, died in early childhood.
Mr. and Mrs. Refsell lived on the Refsell homestead in High Lake township until the year 1893 when they moved to Estherville where Mr. Refsell held the office of County Treasurer for a term of eight years. Since that time they have lived on their farm, and then in Wallingford.
Two years ago Mrs.. Refsell suffered a gallstone attack, but after a month's illness she recovered and had been feeling in good health since. On Dec. 16, she was suddenly taken ill, and died early Monday morning, Dec. 27 [1927] at the age of 63 years. She is survived by her husband, her daughter, Olga, and sons, Conrad, Martin, and Lloyd, who lives in St. Paul. Sisters are Mrs. O. L. Rustad, Mrs. Edwin Osher, both of Wallingford and Mrs. James Johnson of Inwood.
Pallbearers at the funeral which was held Dec. 29, included L. C. Rustad, Nels Osher, Edward Hanson, Conrad Hanson, Lloyd Olson and Clarence Olson. The choir at the Riverside church sang several beautiful numbers at both the church and cemetery.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: Estherville News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, January 7, 1927.
Mrs. Maria [Mari] Refsell died at the home of her son, Jas. Refsell, in High Lake township Thursday night [11 Oct 1900] at the age of 86 years. Funeral services were held Monday, Rev. Strand and Rev. Thompson officiating, and the body buried in the Wallingford cemetery beside her husband who died four years ago last March.
Maria [Mari] Paulson, a daughter of Pal/Paul Tordson Isungset-Troo and his wife Sigrid, was born on the Troo farm in Lio, Buskerud county, Norway [on April 4, 1814]. She was married in 1853 in Norway to Mr. Ole Refsell. They had four sons, Oliver, Peter, James and Ingvald. In 1866 the family moved from Norway to Emmet County settling on section 28 High Lake township where the parents lived until four years ago. Surviving Mrs. Refsell are sons Oliver, treasurer of Emmet County; P. O. of Emmetsburg; and Jas. and I. S., prosperous farmers of High Lake township. Deceased has two surviving sisters in this county, Mrs. Ole Anderson [Haldis] and one unmarried [Sissil] now living at Wallingford. She was a Christian, a devoted mother and loving wife.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Sources: The Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, October 18, 1900; and Paulson family history.
One of Emmet County's Old Settlers Gathered Home
Ole Refsell, aged 74 years, died at his home in High Lake of old age, last Friday, March 2d [1894]. He came to Emmet county direct from Norway in 1866, having lived here twenty-eight years.
He leaves a wife and four married sons. They are O. O. Refsell, the county
treasurer, P. O. residing at Emmetsburg, James at Wallingford and I. S. at High
Lake.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett.
Source: Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet
County, Iowa, March 8, 1894.
NOTE: Ole Refsell is buried in the
Wallingford Lutheran cemetery. O. O. REFSELL
Funeral services were held for Oliver O. Refsell from the Wallingford Lutheran
church Friday Oct. 15 [1943], with the Rev. L. G. Hinderaker officiating. [Mr.
Refsell died Oct. 10] Visiting speakers also took part in the service, the Rev.
T. Hanson of Lakefield, Magnus Wolden of Estherville, and Lloyd Refsell, student
at Luther Theological Seminary, who spoke in behalf of the family. Mrs. Sherman
Gunderson and Alfred Ness sang solos.
Oliver O. Refsell was born Oct. 8, 1854, in Norway. He was only 12 years old
when he was brought to the United States by his parents from Modum, Norway. The
family home was established in High Lake township, Emmet county, Ia. He worked
with his father on the farm until he was 35 years old and then purchased the
homestead property.
Mr. Refsell was united in marriage July 18, 1889 to Miss Betsy Olson, also a
native of Norway. [Oliver was 34 and Betsy was 25.] Four sons and one daughter
were born. Mrs. Refsell and three sons preceded him in death. The sons were
Morris, Lloyd and Conrad.
He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. I. G. Ness, and one son, Martin Refsell,
both of Wallingford; two daughters-in-law, Mrs. Helen Refsell of Robbinsdale,
Minn., and Mrs. Dora Refsell of Wallingford; 15 grandchildren and one great
grandchild, besides a large number of relatives and friends.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett.
Sources: Estherville Daily News,
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, October 20, 1943; Emmet County Death and Marriage
Records. Word was received here last night of the death of Mrs. August Reich of
Charleston, No. Dak., mother of Wm. Reich of Estherville. Mrs. Reich died at
10:30 last night following a stroke which she suffered at the home of her
daughter whom she was visiting.
The body will be brought here for burial. Funeral arrangements have not yet
been completed.
Mrs. Reich is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Hilbert Jennings, of Minot,
No. Dak., Mrs. Wm. Straklow and Mrs. Geo. Klein, both of Ca?tl?ton and Mrs.
Clara Apple of Sioux City, and two sons Ernest and William.
Transcribed by: Diane Lavender
Source: Estherville Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Iowa, June 27,
1939.
MRS. W. REID DIES HERE SUDDENLY AFTER OPERATION
Mrs. W. S. Reid of Maple Hill died at a local hospital Monday evening [November
21, 1927] after undergoing a serious operation Saturday. She was 60 years, 6
months and four days old at the time of her passing and is survived by her
husband and five children, Charlie of Des Moines, Ollie and Will of Maple Hill,
Mrs. Roy Merriott of Dolliver, Mrs. Logan Anderson of Gruver and thirteen
grandchildren, also her aged father Charlie Firestine and four sisters and three
brothers near Lockport, Ill.
Mrs. Reid was born in Illinois. She had resided in the vicinity of her home for
26 years making her home on a farm near Maple Hill the past few years. The
sympathy of a host of friends goes to the sorrowing family as Mrs. Reid was well
known for her kind and loving deeds to family and friends.
The funeral services will be held from the Presbyterian church at Gruver at two
o'clock Thursday afternoon, Rev. Davies of the Presbyterian church at
Estherville preaching the funeral sermon. The body will be laid to rest in the
East Side cemetery in this city.
Mrs. Reid's father, Charles Firestone, sisters Mrs. John Mahl, Mrs. Luella
Stanners, Mrs. Gertrude Balstrode and two brothers Frank and George Firestine of
near Lockport, Ill. are expected Thursday morning to attend the funeral
services.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett.
Source: Estherville Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Emmet County,
Iowa, November 23, 1927. William S. Reid, 88, Dies at Holy Family Hospital
William S. Reid, 88, died at 1:20 this afternoon [June 30, 1947] at Holy Family
Hospital [Estherville] after a lingering illness. He had been in the hospital
for a week. Mr. Reid had been in this community for 46 years since coming here
from Lockport, Ill., vicinity where he spent the earlier part of his life.
Before retiring to Estherville approximately 20 years ago, he farmed near Maple
Hill.
Mr. Reid was born on Nov. 27, 1858, at Oswego, Ill. He attended the Presbyterian
church.
Survivors include two daughters and three sons, Mrs. O. L. Anderson, Mrs. Roy
Merriott, William J. Reid and O. E. Reid, all of this community and Charles Reid
of Los Angeles. Also surviving is a sister, Mrs. John Spratt of Oakland, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held. at 2 p. m. Thursday at the O. L. Anderson home,
1005 N. 6th street, and 2:30 p. m. at the Presbyterian church. The Rev. Frielie
Conaway will officiate. Burial will be in Eastside cemetery.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett.
Source: Estherville Daily News,
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, July 1, 1947. Wilber Rewey, one of the pioneer settlers of Emmet County, died at his home
in Ellsworth township, Sunday, at the age of 70 years. Source: The Northern Vindicator, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa,
April 24, 1902. Mrs. Rice Dies
Mrs. Elijah Rice (Addie Belle), 77, died Wednesday [April 1, 1942] at her home,
22 South 13th street, at 10:30 a.m. after a three week's illness. She because
seriously ill on Tuesday evening, and from then on was unconscious until her
death Wednesday morning.
She is survived by her husband, Elijah Rice, one son, Irvin Rice of Cheyenne,
Wyoming; two daughters, Mrs. Grace Wonderlich of Ollie, Iowa; and Mrs. Myrtle
Duncan of Estherville. another daughter died in infancy. Mrs. Rice also preceded
three brothers and one sister in death.
Among the twelve grandchildren mourning her death is Mrs. Emmet Amdahl of this
city. There are also seven great grandchildren surviving.
Mrs. Rice lived in this vicinity for the past 50 years.
The funeral sevices will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the home, and at 2:30 in
the Methodist church with Rev. Ortmeyer officiating. Burial will be in
Oak Hill
Cemetery.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett.
Sources: Vindicator and Republican, and Estherville Daily News,
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; April 2, 1942. Aged Woman Is Called To Final Reward Thurs.
Mrs. Charlotte Rice died at the home of her son Elijah Thursday night [February
26, 1931] following a stroke of paralysis. She has been able to be around home
caring for her own room and other small duties prior to her illness, which kept
her bedfast since the 16th of February.
Mrs. Rice was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gile and was born in the state of New
York, April 3rd, 1840. She was three years old, when she moved with her parents
to Walworth county, Wisconsin. She grew to womanhood there and was united in
marriage to Seymour Rice in 1857. With Lincoln's second call for troops in the
Civil war, her husband enlisted and died from exposure in a few months, leaving
her with two boys to care for. After they were grown she has made her home with
them. Part of the time in Estherville and part of the time at Gooding, Idaho,
with the other son Elvin S. Rice.
Besides her sons she leaves surviving her, thirteen grandchildren and thirteen
great grandchildren. The funeral services were held at the Mahlum and Anderson
chapel, the Rev. F. C. Aathout of Sioux Falls, S. D. having charge of the
services. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett.
Source: Vindicator and Republican,
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; March 4, 1931. Elijah Rice Dies at Home of Daughter
Elijah Rice, 92, a resident of Emmet county for over 60 years and a widely known
farmer and rural mail carrier, died last night at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Myrtle Duncan, following a short illness. Rice, who had been in good health
despite his advanced age, fell in his daughter's home five weeks ago and
suffered a broken hip. After spending several days in the hospital he returned
home and had been in the care of his daughter since.
Mr. Rice was born and reared in Sharon, Wis., in 1860. [He was the son of
Seymore Rice and Charlotte Guile Rice]. He received a grade
school education in the rural schools near Sharon. In 1880 at the age of 20. Rice
and Adelie B. Lowell were married and settled on a farm near Sharon. Mr. Rice
and his family later moved to the south part of Iowa before moving to Emmet
County.
In 1892 the family moved to Emmet county and settled on a farm four and one-half
miles southeast of Estherville. Rice farmed there until 1913 when he moved into
town and worked as a rural mail carrier. Mr. Rice carried the Superior rural
route using a horse and buggy in the days before the model T and model A became
standard post office equipment. In 1922 he retired and has lived here in
Estherville with his daughter since.
Even while in retirement Mr. Rice took an active part in taking care of his
garden. He also raised bees and rabbits and spent a good deal of time working in
the outdoors.
Mr. Rice was preceded in death by his wife who died in 1942; a son, Irvin E.,
who died in 1951; and a daughter, Ruth, who died in infancy. He is survived by
two daughters, Mrs. Myrtle Duncan and Mrs. Grace Wonderlich of Richland, 12
grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at Sternborg's Funeral Home Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.
Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett.
Source: Estherville Daily News,
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, December 27, 1952. Mrs. Grace Richmond
ARMSTRONG -- Services for Mrs. Grace Richmond, 98, of Armstrong will be 2
p.m. Tuesday at the Armstrong Presbyterian Church with burial in
Armstrong Grove
Cemetery.
Mrs. Richmond died this morning [JMR: 23 February 1974]
at the Valley Vue Nursing Home
in Armstrong.
Mrs. Richmond was born July 16, 1875 at Meridean, Wis. and came with her
family to Emmet County in 1879 by covered wagon. She was educated in rural Emmet
County schools and Fairmont schools. Before her marriage she taught in Emmet
County five years. She was married to Walter A. Richmond March 31, 1897 at
Estherville. The couple farmed southeast of Armstrong. She lived on the farm
until 1948, when she moved to Armstrong.
Survivors include three sons, Wallace and Wilbert both of Armstrong, Wayne of
Ringsted; three grandchildren (the children of Wallace were raised by Mrs.
Richmond after his wife died in 1932) Robert, Grace, Peggy; nine other
grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren.
Contributed by: James
Richmond. Source: Unknown, but probably the Armstrong
Journal, Armstrong, Iowa, February 1974. CC Note: See Emmet County Biography page for biography
and photo of Grace Clark Richmond.
RICHMOND, Margaret Cavers - (2) OBITUARY OF MRS. M. RICHMOND
Margaret Cavers Richmond was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, November 24,
1832, the daughter of Adam and Janet Cavers. Adam was for some years in the
British Army and came near being "one of the soldiers of on that memorable
day was at some distance from the scene of action, and though they moved by
forced marches, when they arrived on the field the battle was over, the victory
won, and Napoleon had started on his long and dismal journey to St. Helena. Not
many years after young Cavers settled down to family life in Scotland, and he
and his wife became the parents of ten children, and of the ten Margaret was the
last to leave the world, having lived 87 years lacking 8 days. Adam seems to
have been a deeply religious man. His daughter told someone that she remembered
her father praying most earnestly for his family and especially for the
salvation of his children.
When about twenty Margaret came with a brother and a sister to Ontario,
Canada, and February 18, 1858 was married to Matthew Richmond at Ayr, Ontario.
After living ten [JMR:years] in that land they came west, and crossed the
Mississippi near Lansing, Ia. where one or two of her brothers had been living
for some time. Mr. Richmond with his little family started west in a wagon over
northern Iowa. He told me that they arrived Thursday at Decorah, Friday at
Howard Center, and by Saturday night reached Burr Oak in Mitchell county. They
rested, of course, over Sabbath and on Monday arrived at Ellington, Hancock
county. Tuesday at Buffalo Forks, and by Wednesday night were at E. B. Campbell's
in Armstrong Grove Township. Mr. Richmond had been here the year before and had
secured section 34 at Government prices, but he settled with his family on
section 36, near the county line.
They were industrious and economical and prosperity came their way. The log
house was replaced by a large and modern residence, and here they lived until
the spring of 1897 when they moved to the town of Armstrong. In early days, of
course, on the farm, they were familiar with pioneer life with its pleasing as
well as its trying features. In early [JMR: "days"] both had become
members of the Presbyterian church and in Armstrong and vicinity this church
owes more for its success to them than to any other couple. Mr. Richmond was
elected elder, and the presbytery of Ft. Dodge conferred a special honor upon
him by sending him as a delegate to the General Assembly at Los Angeles in 1903.
Mrs. Richmond accompanied him and they both greatly enjoyed the trip. We must
not forget Mrs. Richmond's services to the church. There was not much of the
'public' about her. I do not think she was prominent in Sunday school, or as a
'missionary worker'. She was retiring, modest, humble; there was nothing of the
"modern woman" about her. But at home Mrs. Richmond was a queen. One
feature we must mention especially. She will long be remembered for the
entertainment and encouragement she gave to ministers of the gospel, who always
found the most cordial and sincere welcome to her home and to her table. Her
service to the church in this line is remarkable, and she kept this up for 20 or
30 years, when advancing years suggested the propriety of leaving the farm for a
more quiet life in the town.
In recent years advancing age was beginning to tell upon her, and after
suffering considerably, especially during the last three months, on Sabbath
November 16, [JMR: 16 November 1919] about noon she entered, as we believe, the
great Sabbath rest, the rest which remaineth for the people of God. She longed
to depart and be with Christ, and one day she said,-showing the simplicity of
her faith- "Jesus said that he could ask the Father for 12 legions of
angels. I know, he can send one for me."
On Saturday, about twenty-four hours before the end, her old neighbor and
friend, Mrs. Jane Dundas, from Estherville came to see her, to whom she said,
"I want you to pray for me and pray loud so I can hear you." A very
sincere prayer was offered, then the patient being very weary, turned and said
in a friendly way, Now Good-bye.
Numerous friends have testified to the help and inspiration her life has been
to them. The local paper said of her,"The life of a woman like Mrs.
Richmond does much to prove there is a spark of the divine fire in man upon this
earth, and that there is a better realm where such spirits must go and whence
they have come. For they are not of the earth."
In the sermon I observed that Mrs. Richmond was one of the old settlers and
that probably very few of them were left. At the cemetery after the burial, Mrs.
Fish and Mrs. Dundas came to me and said they are the only ones living who were
here and were heads of families when the Richmonds came in October, 1868. The
Fish family came in September and Mrs. Dundas was married here the spring
before.
The pall bearers were her two sons, William and Walter, and four nephews,
William and James Weir of Estherville, George Stewart of Armstrong, and Adam
Cavers of Village Creek, Ia.
Mrs. Richmond leaves to mourn their loss her husband, six children, and
fifteen grandchildren. All of her children are living in or near Armstrong
except John who lives at Waterloo.
The text of the sermon was Jesus Loved Martha and Her Sister and Lazarus.
Music was furnished by Mrs. Fred Robinson, Mrs. I.H. Hospers, Mr. T.W.
Doughty and Mr. A.J. Bosworth, with Miss Vandenburgh at the organ.
First they sang: Before the sermon they sang one of the favorite hymns of the deceased:
And at the close, the beautiful memorial song of P.P. Bliss for that sweet
musician, William B. Bradbury.
Contributed by: James
Richmond. Unknown source, written by: Rev. Daniel Williams.
On the Passing of a Pioneer Recently at Armstrong, Iowa one died who had an unusual share in development
of Presbyterian Christianity in northwest Iowa. Mrs. Mathew Richmond with her
husband who survives her and who became the first Presbyterian elder in that
region; went to Emmet County; Iowa in a very early day when the prairies were
roadless; fenceless almost homeless and altogether churchless. Born
Presbyterian; it was her dream or hope and her unceasing prayer that God would
send a Presbyterian minister to her new country. As I was the unexpected and at
the first quite disappointing answer to that prayer; I crave space for a bit of
church history; which is also reminiscence; in Mrs. Richmond's praise.
Dr. A. K. Baird; synodical superintendent; himself Scotch and sympathizing
with this desire of the Scotch Richmonds for a Presbyterian share in the
religious development of the promising prairies; requisitioned the seminaries
for summer students. So he sent me to Richmonds.
It did seem a mysterious providence. The dear lady's idea of a Presbyterian
minister was definite and clear. He should naturally be tall of course he would
be dignified; and in all the virtues and example to youth. With what pride and
expectancy did she look forward to next Sunday; when all the neighbors would
assemble in the schoolhouse to see and hear a real Presbyterian minister! Alas
that the spirit of moral should be proud! The minister proved to be a boy. He
was not tall and he was fat.
Before a week had gone she made him feel that her heart was glad he had been
chosen of God to come. Her home became his home; and what a home it was! Just a
cabin; with two rooms and an attic. It was a large family too. But there was
always room; not for just one more but for as many as might come; even strangers
stranded on the prairies. I think the record was the sheltering of sixteen
wayfaring guests for a night. Later in prosperity; a commodius; modern house was
built; but it could not surpass the charm of that hospitality cabin.
It is not my purpose to write an obituary eulogy; but to bring into the
publicity of these pages; which first as The Interior and since as The Continent
she had cherished for more than a generation; the name of a woman rare in her
quiet faithfulness and; with her good husband the real founder of
Presbyterianism in that part of northwest Iowa. It was my privilege last winter
to have an hour's visit with her; then in her eighty-seventh year. She had never
expected to reach old age; but her talk of the goodness of God through the
lengthening years; her joy in seeing the development of the country to which in
her youth she had come as a pioneer; her happiness in recalling the beginnings
and growth of her own church; and her fine readiness to go hence whenever God
willed-all was like the benediction of a mother's hand on the head of her first
pastor in that new country. And many other such like men and women joined with
the Richmonds in helping along the kingdom there. --The Continent
Contributed by: James
Richmond. Source: The Continent, written by George N.
Luccock. AT REST Matthew Richmond was born May 30 in the year 1834 in Mauchline Parish. The
town of Mauchline is situated in Ayrshire in the southwest of Scotland about
eight miles from the west coast and near the Ayr river. It is the section of
country, long famous as the home of Robt. Burns. The subject of this sketch had
the honor of beginning life in the land of Bruce and Wallace and Knox. But when
Matthew was five years of age his parents with their family came to America and
settled at Ayr, Ontario, Canada. Here he received his education and developed
into manhood. Even though far removed from the scenes of his birthplace,
doubtless the history of the struggles of those old Scottish heroes, for civil
and religious liberty, had much influence in the development of that sturdy
character of this noble Christian gentleman.
In 1857 he and Margaret Cavers were united in marriage at the little village
of Ayr, where they started life together on a farm. Doubtless it was here that
his Christian devotion in the home began. The altar fire was lighted.
His father was an Elder in the Presbyterian church in Canada and there is
abundant evidence that a devoutly Christian atmosphere pervaded the old Richmond
home as the boys James, John, William and Matthew became either ministers or
Elders in the Presbyterian church.
In the fall of 1867 Matthew Richmond explored the northern part of the state
of Iowa and being attracted by the beautiful prairies he purchased land in
Armstrong Grove township and in October 1868, came with his family to their new
home on the farm, five miles southeast of the town of Armstrong.
Here it was that his career in this community began. And it was around him,
with his goodly wife, that the first system of religious effort gathered. It was
by them that the Scotch Presbyterian idea of worship had their beginnings in
this community and it was in their cabin home that the pioneer minister found a
welcome and received inspiration from their family altar.
With the Richmonds the Sunday school, as well as the church had its beginning
in this community. It is a matter of record that Mr. Richmond was selected as
the first superintendent. This community can hardly realize what it owes to this
good man for his life of wholesome, uplifting influence.
He was elected Elder of the Presbyterian church soon after he came to this
part of the country and filled that office continually till the close of his
life. Though having advanced to an extreme age he attended two meetings of the
session during the past year. His interest in the progress of the kingdom never
dimmed. It is not often the privilege of one so old to have an active part in
the work of the church so near the very close of his earthly career.
In 1908 he was delegated by the Ft. Dodge Presbytery to represent it in the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, which met that year in Los Angeles,
California, Mrs. Richmond accompanying him on the trip. The Heavenly Father had
permitted these two coworkers with his son, to journey long together but Mrs.
Richmond passed through the veil to "The Beyond" November 16, 1919,
lacking only a few days of eighty-seven years. Thus Mr. Richmond was left to
journey on alone, but not for long, a little more than a year had passed till
they joined hands again in that "Home Over There." More than sixty-one
of their eighty-seven years in this life were spent together.
Their family of six children are all living, Mrs. Nettie Gibbs, Mrs. Anna R.
Dows, Miss Robena Richmond and Walter A. Richmond of Armstrong; Will C. Richmond
of Charles City, Ia., and John J. Richmond of Portland Ore. All but the latter
were present at the funeral.
Mr. Richmond is survived also, by two brothers, James Richmond of Galt,
Ontario, Canada and Rev. J. M. Richmond D. D., of Ormund, Florida.
The funeral, which was held at 1:30 pm in the Presbyterian church of which
Mr. Richmond had been an Elder from its founding, was largely attended by
relatives, friends, and citizens of the community.
The sermon was preached by the pastor, the Rev. Victor B. Demaree from the
texts, Pa. 1:1-3, II Sam. 3.38 and Job 5.26
The pallbearers were two sons Wm. C. Richmond and Walter A. Richmond and four
nephews, William Weir, Geo. Weir, James Weir and Robert Stewart. They laid the
body to rest beside that of his companion in the Armstrong cemetery.
Card of Thanks
We wish to extend our thanks to all the friends and neighbors for the
beautiful floral offerings and also for their many acts of kindness during the
illness and death of our dear father. The Richmond, Gibbs, and Dows families.
Contributed by: James
Richmond. Source: unknown newspaper, v. XXVIII, probably
Emmet County.
M. W. Richmond, 72, of 307 Euclid, Monett, died at 3:20 a.m. today at St.
John's Hospital in Springfield following an illness of several months.
Born August 24, 1902, in Emmet County, Iowa, he was married to Leona Garner
in 1936 at Waterloo, Iowa, and she survives.
Mr. Richmond was a retired Railway Express messenger, retiring in 1967. He
had resided in Monett since 1968, moving here from Pittsburg, Kansas. He was a
member of first United Methodist Church and of Brotherhood of Railway, Airline,
Steamship Clerks Lodge 4092.
Surviving, in addition to his wife of the home are one stepson, Harvey G.
Hill of Oelwein, Iowa; three sisters, Miss Lucy Richmond of Monett, Mrs. Doris
R. Magee of Dunkerton, Iowa, and Mrs. Sadie Bowman of Kalamazoo, Michigan, two
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Buchanan Chapel with Dr.
Lyman Firestone, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, officiating.
Burial will be in Monett IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Buchanan Funeral
Home.
Contributor note: Matthew William RICHMOND, son of William Cavers RICHMOND
and Mildred Lavia FISH, grandson of
Matthew RICHMOND and Margaret [Cavers]
RICHMOND and Charles Otis FISH and Lucy Maria [Hare] FISH died 24 April 1975. Contributed by: James
M. Richmond. Unknown source. Provided to Jim by J. Egeland, Dolliver, Iowa
in a personal communication.
RICHMOND, Mildred Lavia (Fish) Contributor note: This obituary article was taken from the microfilm
files of the Algona, IA Library, and were taken from the Kossuth County Advance,
22 AUGUST 1946, Algona, IA. Parts of the article were not clear, and complete
accuracy can not be assured. Contributors comments are in brackets [JMR:xxxx].
Swea City, Aug. 21 [JMR: 1946] Word was received
by local relatives of the death that morning that former Seneca and Algona
resident, Mrs. William Richmond [JMR: William Cavers RICHMOND]
died at her home in Oelwein early Sunday. Mrs. Richmond [JMR:
Mildred Lavia FISH] who was past 80, had ill health for many years,
disease being the cause of death.
She was the oldest daughter of Charles O. Fish and Lucy, [JMR:
Lucy Maria HARE] and was born____ ,[JMR: 11 May
1866] near Rochester, Minn. [JMR: Eyota, MN]
At the age of two years she came with her parents to Seneca Township where she
attended the district schools and grew to young womanhood. She attended the
North Iowa Normal school at ______ and later supplementing her ______with work
at Dexter ________and was a rural teacher for several years.
In April 1888, she was married to William C. Richmond, of Armstrong Grove
(later Armstrong) and the couple lived in the vicinity for over 30 years. In
1920 they purchased a home in Waterloo, then move to farm near Charles City,
later returning to Waterloo. In _____they purchased a home in _____, where they
lived until _____when they moved to Oelwin to be near their children.
Mrs. Richmond was a member of the Presbyterian Church at _____ and was an
active member in the woman's club as long as her health permitted. She was
talented in ar-_______and had studied are _____in oils.
Living are her husband, daughters, Mrs. Neil McGee of Dunkerton, Mrs. James
Bowman [JMR: Sadie Irene] of Jackson [JMR:
Jackson, Michigan] and Lucy Richmond [JMR: Lucy
Margaret], of _________, a son Matthew [JMR:
Matthew William], of _______two sisters, Mrs. Sadie______of Bryant,
S.D., and ______G. Smith of Swea City and a number of grandchildren and other
relatives. Funeral services and burial will be held at Olewein Thursday.
Contributed by: James
M. Richmond . Daughter pens tribute to late Robert H. Richmond
(Editor's note: This story was written by Barbara Atkins, daughter of Robert
H. Richmond, and read at his funeral in March 1992. Bob was born July 4, 1927,
grew up in Armstrong and passed away shortly before the centennial celebration,
which he had very much wanted to attend. When the Journal published its special
centennial edition in 1993, of the hundreds of photos that were submitted, his
was the only one In the servicemen's section that was misidentified. We publish
this tribute entitled "Robert H. Richmond, Husband, Father, Grandfather and
Patriot" as a way of making up for the error.)
In the last part of the nineteenth century, four generations ago, Bob
Richmond's great-grandparents rode westward onto the Great Plains of North
America. Riding with them was a young girl, Grace Eleanor Clark, Bob's
grandmother. They settled in northern Iowa, near an area that became the town of
Armstrong. The topsoil in Iowa sometimes runs eight feet thick. It can be the
color of asphalt and, a newly turned field has an unbelievable black richness to
it. Working with their hands, farmers "made the" Great Plains the
food basket of the world, and along the way, they made America into a great
country. Into that background, in 1927, Robert Heston Richmond was born.
It would not be true to paint his life as idyllic. His mother Lorene died
when he was five. Bob and his sisters were raised by their father and
grandmother, Grace Eleanor Clark Richmond-the same woman who rode west in a
wagon to a new land. Perhaps his family situation was not ideal but the rural
farming community of Armstrong provided an almost perfect, purely American
setting for Bob to grow in. The wide sky, the black earth and the support of the
community...small town high school basketball games, the pool hall and the
nurture of friends and neighbors defined the world where Bob started. The
picture I see is the basis for a thousand books, a million pictures, hundreds of
movies. It is a picture of the heartland of America.
Near the end of World War II, Bob joined the U.S. Navy. Over the next 30
years he finished college at Iowa State and served his country faithfully as a
sailor, a chief and an officer. During Dad's career the world saw the end of a
world war, two smaller wars and many conflicts. Dad's duty carried him to the
Philippines, to Cuba, to the Mediterranean Sea, to the Suez Canal and the Red
Sea, to the South China Sea and into North Vietnam. Along the way the military
got to be unpopular. Some of us doubted the wisdom of many things that happened.
It seemed for a while that we were losing battles every day. Only now is it
clear that Bob Richmond and men like him were winning the war. On his watch we
avoided the big war, we won the biggest military face off in the history of the
world and literally billions of people survived, a time that most of us grew up
thinking it might end in a nuclear holocaust.
Along the way, by the way, Bob married Virginia McAfee and raised five
children. He shared with his children the virtues he learned as a boy.
When Dad retired from the Navy, he and Mom bought a farm in St. Stephen, SC.
Those of us who saw it early-on thought he had lost his mind. When I describe
the farm as something Dad built, we all know that Mom did the biggest part, but
Dad gets credit, too. They built this farm into the best thing that ever
happened to a grandchild. They bought chickens, hogs, horses, peacocks, swans,
fish and every imaginable gasoline powered riding device known to man. They gave
wonderful barbecues, great oyster roasts and memorable Thanksgivings and
Christmastimes. Dad always invited a crowd. My kids will always remember
Grandpa's farm as a place where they could do whatever they wanted. If he
cranked up the car and you were a kid, you should go with him. There was always
a nice treat in town.
Dad liked nearly everybody. He still has friends wherever he lived. He has
visited folks in Iowa, Michigan and South Dakota regularly all his life. Until
recently he subscribed to the Armstrong Journal, his hometown newspaper. Dad was
from the Midwest and in some ways he never left. You know, that place that Dad
was from is called the heartland of America, but it isn't really the place that
defines the heartland, it is people like Dad. Dad was the quintessential
American. He gave us all the virtues that made our country great (and not too
many of the vices). Not many will live a life as well as Bob Richmond lived his.
We love you, Dad, and we shall miss you.
Contributed by: James
M. Richmond . Source: Armstrong, Iowa, Armstrong Journal,
Wednesday, July 12, 2000, page 8. MISS RICHMOND, AGE 64, DIES AT ARMSTRONG
Miss Robina Richmond, 64, of Armstrong died yesterday [JMR: 30 October 1931]
at the home of Herb Wolf after an illness which began early this fall. Funeral
services will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Presbyterian church of
Armstrong, the Rev. Gladstone of Lone Rock officiating.
Miss Richmond was born in Canada in 1867, coming to Armstrong Grove township
with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Richmond one year later. In recent years
she was living with her sister, Mrs. John Dows of Chicago until Mr. Dows died
and their home was broken up.
She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. John Dows, Chicago, Ill. and Mrs. Will
Gibbs of Armstrong, and three brothers John of Albany, Ore., W. G. of Charles
City and Walter of Armstrong.
Contributed by: James
Richmond. Source: the Estherville Democrat, Estherville,
Iowa, October 31, 1931. Services Held For Pioneer Resident Last Friday [JMR:
24 November 1950]
Funeral services were held for Walter A. Richmond Friday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.,
from the First Presbyterian church with the Rev. Russell Nelson officiating.
Music was furnished by Mrs. C.I. Smith pianist, and Mrs. Clifford Henrikson and
Harold Horswell, vocalists. Interment was in Armstrong Grove cemetery.
Walter Adam Richmond was born in a log cabin on the old Richmond farm
southeast of Armstrong, on April 25, 1871, the second son of Matthew and
Margaret Cavers Richmond. At the time of his death he was 79 years, 6 months,
and 27 days of age.
His parents came from Galt, Ontario, in Canada to this community in October,
1868 and established their home along the Des Moines river in the southeast
corner of Armstrong Grove township.
It was here that he grew to manhood and lived for 70 years of a well spent
lifetime, before moving to his Bonnie Brae farm south of Armstrong. He retired
from active farming in the spring of 1948 and moved to his home here in
Armstrong. But his heart was always attached to the farm and hardly a day passed
by that he didn't drive out to see his sons and help them with their farming
operations. It can be truly said that he was a "born farmer".
In early boyhood he united with the Presbyterian church.
He attended the old district school which was located on the old Hackerson
homestead southeast of town, finishing his schooling at the old Algona Normal in
Algona, before teaching one year at the Burt district school three miles
southeast of Armstrong. When the railroad was built into Armstrong in the summer
of 1892, he started a general merchandise store in this booming new town, the
the same building now occupied by Snyder's grocery. He remained in business
until 1895 when he took over the farming on the old home farm.
On March 31, 1897, he was united in marriage with Grace Clark of Armstrong.
Three sons were born to this happy union, Wallace, Wayne and Wilbert, all of
Armstrong. It was their rare privilege to celebrate their Golden Wedding
anniversary on March 31, 1947.
Besides his wife and three sons he is survived by his brother, John, of
Portland, Ore., 12 grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. His
parents, three sisters, Jeanette Richmond Gibbs, Anna Richmond Dows and Robina
and his oldest brother, William have preceded him in death.
He was a kind and loving husband and father, always having the welfare of his
family foremost in his thoughts. Always a man of fine character and integrity,
his passing leaves a place in his home and community which can never be filled.
Those from out-of-town attending the services were Mr. and Mrs. Charles
Champine, Mrs. Rena Follett, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pruell, Sr., Dick Pruell and Mr.
and Mrs. Harry Maday, Ceylon; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Intlekofer and Mrs. and Mrs.
C.H. Pruell, Granada, Minn; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Intlekofer, Fairmont; Mr. and
Mrs. Cecil Shoen, Truman; and Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Blanchard, Lone Rock.
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Knudson and Mrs. Kenneth Knudson, Williams; Mr. and Mrs.
Philip Bieber, Strawberry Point; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Bieber, New Hampton; Mrs.
William Tully, Lansing; Mrs. Blanche Clark and Beverly, Miss Dorothy Fear: Mr.
and Mrs. Ernest Smith, Mrs. Maude Law and William S. Johnston, Estherville; Mrs.
Alvena Whitted and Miss Hazel Tice, Monroe, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nelsen, Mr.
and Mrs. Chris Godfredsen and Mr. Christensen, Ringsted.
Contributed by: James Richmond.
Source: Unknown, but probably the Armstrong Journal, Armstrong, Iowa,
November 1950. CC Note: For biography of Walter Richmond please
see Emmet County Biographies Q-R. Wayne Richmond ARMSTRONG--Wayne C. Richmond, 78, Clarion and formerly of Armstrong, died
Wednesday, February 20, at the Clarion Hospital.
Services for Mr. Richmond will be 2:30 pm Saturday at the Armstrong
Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Myron Brockmeyer officiating. Interment will
be in Armstrong Grove Cemetery.
Friends may call at the church after 1 p.m. Saturday until time of services.
Henry and Olson Funeral Home, Armstrong, is in charge of arrangements.
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Richmond, he was born June 13, 1901, at
Armstrong and received his education in Armstrong schools. He was married to
Bernice Prull on Oct. 10, 1928, at Sioux Falls, S.D., and the couple farmed in
the Armstrong area until 1959. They then operated a Standard service station in
Manly until 1965, when they retired and moved to Ringsted. In 1975 they moved to
Iowa Falls and in 1976 moved to Clarion. He was a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
Mr. Richmond is survived by his wife, Bernice, Clarion; one son, Donald
Richmond, Fairfield; two daughters, Mrs. Norman (Barbara) Tolsdorf, Iowa Falls,
and Mrs. R. D. (Delores) Schnittjer, Clarion; seven grandchildren; and two
brothers, Wallace Richmond, Forest City, and Wilber Richmond, Armstrong.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Contributed by: James
Richmond. Source: Armstrong, Iowa, Armstrong Journal, 1980. RIDLEY, Albion K.
A. K. Ridley, a resident of Friday Harbor for the past sixteen years and of San Juan county, [WA]
for twenty-eight years, was summoned by death Friday, December 7th, 1928, at the home of his son
in Friday Harbor, at the age of 86 years, five months and two days. Mr. Ridley had been in failing
health for several months and his death did not come as a surprise to his friends and acquaintances.
Albian (sic) K. Ridley was born August 5, 1842, on Harpswell Island, Maine, moving with his parents
in 1858 to Estherville, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. At the age of 19 he joined the Union army
and saw service during the entire period of the Civil war. The first part of the enlistment was
spent on the frontier, where he took part in the Sioux massacre fighting Indians in the Dakotas in
the early sixties. He was honorably discharged from the army at the close of the Civil war as a
member of Company "I", Seventh Regiment, Iowa Cavalry.
At the age 28 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Graham in Estherville, Iowa, where they resided
until 1901, when they came to San Juan county, locating at Richardson, where they conducted the
Richardson hotel for twelve years, prior to taking up their residence in Friday Harbor. Mrs. Ridley
passed away in 1925.
Mr. Ridley was a member of the First Baptist church of Estherville, Iowa. and at Richardson united
with the Congregational church, of which was a consistent member.
The surviving relatives are an adopted son, Ed Ridley of Friday Harbor; and a sister, Mrs. Theresa
Emery residing in Chicago; also Jim Kinnard, a nephew, residing in Friday Harbor. There are a
number of other nieces and nephews. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, interment in the
Center cemetery, Lopez Island.
Contributed by: Ruth Hackett. Source: from an unidentified San Juan County,
Washington newspaper, dated 13 Dec 1928.
DIED--In Estherville, Iowa, on Tuesday, the 8th inst. [Feb. 1872] ALGERNON H. RIDLEY, age 36 years
and one month.
Mr. Ridley was born in the state of Maine, and emigrated to this county 14 years ago, thus making
him among the earliest pioneers who settled in these then Northwestern wilds, and he has proved
himself one of our most worthy, industrious and enterprising citizens. When the savage hordes of
the Northwest threatened the frontier settlements with devastation and destruction, Mr. R. was
among the first who volunteered his services to protect and defend the borders from the murderous
attacks of the unmerciful Sioux's and kindred warlike tribes. For three years and three months he
proved himself a worthy soldier and a faithful sentinel on the outposts, and experienced all the
dangers, hardships and many hair-bredath (sic) escapes incident to campaigns which gave peace and
security to the settlers on the Northern border. Having faithfully performed his duty as a soldier,
he returned to Emmet county, at the close of the war, and gave his exclusive attention to
agricultural pursuits, and by well directed effort in that direction, became one of our most
honored and substantial farmers. In September last, while engaged in running a threshing machine
his leg came in contact with some of the machinery and was so frightfully mangled that amputation
became necessary. What was supposed to be eminent medical aid, was summoned from a neighboring
state to render him that assistance which surgical science has the power to bestow, but from
mal-practice, or some inexplicable cause, he has suffered untold physical agony from the date of
his injury, up to the hour of his earthly dissolution.
To those virtues which distinguish the moral and upright citizen, Mr. R. has but few peers in this
county. He was an earnest, but unassuming advocate of sobriety--a faithful, confiding friend and
generous neighbor, and possessed, in an eminent degree, many of those peculiar characteristics of
true manhood which makes his loss seem almost irrepairable (sic) in this community.
His worthy family and numerous relatives in this locality have the heartfelt condolence of all who
prized him for his many excellent qualities of both head and heart, and extend to them, in this
their hour of sorrow, that unalloyed sympathy which such sore affliction generates in the heart of
"all who feel for others woes."
Contributed by: Ruth M.
Hackett. Source: Northern Vindicator,
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, Feb. 10, 1872. RIDLEY,
Almira Soper (Mrs. James W.)
THE PASSING OF A PIONEER
Almira Soper, daughter of Jacob and Celinda (Harvey), was born at Martell [Jones County], Iowa, April 5, 1849 and died April 3, 1912, at the age of 63 years. Her mother died when she was eight
years old. She came to Estherville with her brother, Capt. E. B. Soper, by road wagon before
there were any railroads to Estherville.
Estherville has been her home ever since. She was married to James Woodman Watson Ridley, Feb. 2,
1874. Together they lived and labored until her husband was taken away about twenty-five years ago.
They first lived on the West Side and afterwards conducted the Emmet House.
Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ridley, Leroy J., Jesse and her twin brother, J. B., who
died at the age of three months, and Esther, now Mrs. Lewis Cranston. The deceased is survived by
two brothers, Capt. E. B. Soper of Emmetsburg, and F. S. Soper of Centerville, S. D. and one sister
Mrs. Lillis Weaver of Lodi, Cal., one son, two daughters and several grandchildren and a large
number of relatives. There is also one step-son, George I. Ridley, of San Francisco, Cal.
Mrs. Ridley was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, having descended from Timothy
Soper, who served in the American Army throughout the Revolutionary War. He lived to the extreme
age of 99 years, and saw the Mexican War before he passed away. The deceased was also a member of
the North Star Chapter No. 200 of the Eastern Stars. She was a member of the Free Will Baptist
Church. The first organization of that church took place at her home. She was one of the first
members to unite with the church after its organization. She continued a faithful member of the
church until her call came.
The funeral services took place on her birthday Friday, April 5th, from the Federated Baptist
Church, conducted by the pastor and attended by a large number of relatives and friends. The Aid
Society of the Federal Baptist Church and the Eastern Star attended in a body.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: the Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Iowa
April 10, 1912.
CC NOTE: Almira Ridley is buried in Oak
Hill cemetery.
RIDLEY,
Esther (Mrs. Robert E.)
"AUNT" ESTHER RIDLEY DEAD
Who Braved the Hardships of the Wilderness; woman after whom our beautiful city was
named, passed to her reward on last Saturday morning [March 2, 1918] The business houses of
the city were closed during the funeral services.
The remains of "Aunt" Esther Ann Allen Ridley, the first white woman who braved the wilds of
the wilderness and settled in Estherville and who our beautiful city is named after, were
laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery on Monday last. "Aunt" Esther's life has been a shining
example of womanhood coming as she did into this wilderness. Living through the hardships of
necessity endured by those early settlers, always patient, home loving, neighbor loving and
God fearing she has passed her life in this city which will ever hereafter stand as a monument
to her life. She has always been an active worker in the Baptist church and was an ardent
supporter of the church and its teachings until the very last. The death angel called her to
rest on last Saturday morning and the tidings cast a gloom over the entire community to which
she had become endeared by years of love and service.
The funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 4th in the Methodist church so as to
accommodate all who wished to attend. Mayor M. J. Groves, A. O. Peterson, Chas. Barber, W. J.
Pullen, N. B. Silcox and Dr. W. P. Galloway were the pall-bearers. Mrs. Ira Stanley presided
at the pipe organ and the mixed quartette composed of Misses Moe and Lyman and Messrs. Cox and
Myhre sang sweetly such comforting songs as "Asleep in Jesus", "Going Down the Valley" and "Jesus
Lover of My Soul." Rev. R. C. Mitchell read the Scripture lesson, Rev. E. E. Evans offered prayer,
Rev. J. Fredrick Catlin, Mrs. Ridley's pastor, preached the sermon from Mark 14:8, "She hath done
what she could." The closing prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Torbett, pastor of the Methodist
church. Rev. C. D. Priest, the Christian minister, sat with the other ministers on the platform.
There was an unusually large and beautiful collection of flowers showing the love and esteem in
which Mrs. Ridley was held by her many friends and acquaintances.
As a fitting token of the esteem in which the entire city holds Mr. and Mrs. Ridley, the mayor
issued an order that all places of business be closed during the time of the funeral services,
from 2:00 to 3:00.
The following taken from the files of the Enterprise of Aug. 23, 1911, will give in detail the
life of this worthy woman:
"Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Ridley, pioneers of Estherville are both living in the city, and are each
enjoying good health. They reside in a comfortable home on North Eighth street. Mr. Ridley came to Estherville in June, 1857, just after the Spirit Lake Massacre, which was in
March, 1857. There were no railroads west of Dubuque and when they came west they came by train
to Dubuque and& then by ox team to Estherville which was nothing but a prairie. Mrs. Ridley came
west by train to Dubuque alone and Mr. Ridley who had come before to prepare a home for his bride,
met her at Dubuque, and together, with an ox team, they made the long journey to this place. It
took them twelve days to make the trip from Dubuque. After coming here they settled upon [later
known as the] Kettleson place north of town and lived there from August until December, when Mr.
Ridley built a log house where the Rock Island roundhouse now stands. This log house was 16x22
and the logs were prepared by Mr. Ridley with the crude instruments he had on hand. In this log
house they lived two years. Then Mr. Ridley pre-empted a claim west of [the now] town across the
Des Moines river. On this place he built a mill and put in a dam. It might well be mentioned that
the dam in the river has the same foundation Mr. Ridley put there over fifty years ago. After living
on this claim four or five years they took a homestead south of town. This was the first homestead
taken in the county. On the homestead the family lived for fourteen years. Then they moved to the
house on North Sixth street. Since that time they have lived within the limits of Estherville.
When they first came to this vicinity there were no other persons that they saw. Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Ridley, Algernon Ridley and Jesse Coverdale spent the winter of 1857-8 here alone. Mrs. Ridley saw only one white woman the first
year. They had some thrilling experiences. The first store in the settlement was in their log
house where the roundhouse now stands. There were about 50 people in this settlement when Fort
Defiance was built. The fort was located on Mr. Ridley's land. Stockades covered about one half
block. Fort Defiance was built in the spring of 1863. In the winter of 1862-3 the schoolhouse which
stood about 50 feet north of where the Court House now stands was fortified, a stockade being built
around it. After the Northern Brigade left, a U.S. cavalry came and was stationed in the fort and
remained about a year. The U. S. government auctioned the fort off afterwards, and the Northern
Stage Company purchased it. They later sold it to Ike Skinner, who owned it for a number of years.
Later it was sold in parcels. At the time the fort was being built Mrs. Ridley kept nine boarders
without charge. Her place was always the stopping place of ministers, travelers, and everyone in
need without any charge. In fact the Ridley home was one of the most hospitable homes in northern
Iowa in pioneer days. As instance of their hospitality, L. H. Smith of Algona, who was
quarter-master of the Northern Iowa Border Brigade and who located the county seat here, said in a
recent letter to the Enterprise he well remembered their kindness in entertaining him without charge.
Back in those days with trials and hardships on every hand a pioneer settlement was fortunate in
having such sturdy characters as Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Ridley. When R. E. Ridley, Howard Graves, and
others incorporated this place they called it Estherville in honor of Mrs. R. E. (Esther) Ridley
as she was the first white woman to settle here.
From The Estherville Enterprise, Wednesday, March 6, 1918:
Aunt Esther was born in New Gloucester, Maine on April 8th, 1832, the daughter of John and Sarah
(Bennet) Allen. She lacked a few days at the time of her death of reaching her eighty-seventh
year of life. On October 15th, 1855, she married to Robert E. Ridley at Brunswick, Maine. To
this union three children were born, Mrs. Annie J. Dana who lives at Sparta, Wisconsin. She was
the first white child born in this county and grew to young womanhood in Estherville. George E.
Ridley of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Mrs. Evelyn Hoover who died on December 16, 1888. She is
survived by the husband, daughter and son, eleven grandchildren, and seventeen great
grandchildren.
She was always active in the up-building of Estherville. She with her husband donated the ground
for our beautiful city park which will ever stand a living memorial to the name of Mr. and Mrs.
Ridley. Aunt Esther was deeply interested in such organizations as the Women 's Relief Corps.
She was at one time president of the W. C. T. U. and labored earnestly in behalf of the temperance
cause.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: Estherville Enterprise, Estherville,
Iowa, Aug. 23, 1911 & Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, Iowa, March
6, 1918. Addendum: the following is an excerpt taken from a
newspaper clipping about a letter written by a well known pioneer resident of
Estherville, Frank Davey, who later died in Salem, Oregon. Originally
published in 1911 in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the building of
Fort Defiance at Estherville. "Of those who deserve a page in the history
of Emmet county, whenever it shall be faithfully and truly written, the one that
will ever claim the most lasting remembrance, will always stand the name of MRS.
ESTHER RIDLEY who came to this country in the month of April [1857] just after
the Indian depredations. The bravery of this estimable lady, who, nurtured
amid the luxuries and refinements of the Atlantic coast, could thus dare to
penetrate and make her residence in this then uncivilized region with dangers
threatening on every hand; who, not withstanding the urgent entreaties of her
numerous friends, persisted in remaining during the subsequent winter of 1857-8,
during which time she did not see the face of a white woman for more than four
long lonesome months. Even Mr. [George C.] Granger dared not brave the
uncertainties of another outbreak, but preferred to spend that part of the
season among his friends in Tama county and felt sure that when he returned he
should find only charred and blackened remains of the dwellings. When he
came back the next spring he left his team among the ravines south of town and
cautiously made his way on to the high bluffs behind the grove and peered
over. When he beheld the smoke peacefully curling from the chimney top, it
was some time before he could persuade himself that his eyes were not deceiving
him. During the winter Mr. Ridley had caused the time to pass off more
briskly by preparing the timbers for the erecting of the Estherville Mill.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett.
CC Note: For biography of Esther and Robert Ridley
see Emmet county Biographies Q-R. See Iowa
Gravestone Photo project for
Esther Ridley's tombstone photo.
Ridley Funeral Service Sunday Funeral services for George [Ellsworth] Ridley, aged Cheyenne resident who
died Saturday afternoon [2 Feb 1935] were held at the Worland Chapel [Cheyenne,
WY] Sunday afternoon, with the Rev. Edgar H. Hoffman conducting the rites.
Pallbearers were Harry Reymore, Charles Eckstrom, Verne Herrick, C. D. Kragel,
Raymond Sanborn and M. A. Mendenhall.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: Wyoming
State Tribune, February 3, 1935. DEATH OF JAMES W. RIDLEY
There were very few people comparatively speaking, who, when the announcement was made Monday
morning, that Mr. Ridley was dying, had heard of the fatal accident that had befallen him.
Those of us who for years had been accustomed to see him always on duty, cheery and good natured
could hardly realize that he had gone from us. The circumstances attending the accident from which
he died were peculiarly unfortunate. At about half past three o'clock Sunday afternoon, while
harnessing a wild colt the animal while he was bucking the girth turned and kicked him in the
abdomen. The blow received was terrible, yet he went to the house, remarking that he thought he
was not badly injured. In a few moments he was taken with a violent fit of vomiting, physicians
were called, and although everything was done that skill could suggest, he sank rapidly and
died at 9:30 Monday morning.
Born in Harpswell, Maine, September 5th, 1831 his early life was spent in New England, and for
many years he resided in Boston. Several visits were made to this county where his parents and
many of his relatives wee settled; during these visits he was so well pleased with the country
that in 1870, he cast his fortunes in the west. Since that time he has been a conspicuous figure
in this part of Iowa. He was of the type of men, so necessary in a new country. Self-reliant and
aggressive; fearless and independent, versatile, and possessed of almost boundless resources, as
well as indomitable energy, he never turned aside from any enterprise--no matter what difficulties
might appear. His native independence of character and blunt manner in speaking oftentimes caused
him to be misjudged, and misunderstood; but beneath that rugged mannerism, beat a loving and
sympathetic heart. No person in distress, friend or foe, it mattered not what the conditions were,
was ever turned away by him without material aid, and in all cases, he literally compiled the
scriptural injunction "let not your left hand know what your right hand doeth." There were scores
of people at the funeral, who remembered many kindly acts and aid extended, though the giver had
long since forgotten them.
Mr. Ridley came into possession of the Emmet House, in the latter part of 1875. He improved the
property as the growth of the country and needs of travel demanded. In addition to the duties of
hotel keeper, he has been largely interested in farming, and was known as one of the
heaviest stock dealers in the northwest. As a result of his ventures, nearly all of which were
successful, he accumulated a large amount of property.
He leaves a widow and four children, an aged mother, who has made his house her home for two years
past, two brothers residing here, one sister in California, one in St. Louis, and one in Washington
territory.
The funeral which was held in the Baptist church Tuesday at 10:30, was the most largely attended
occasion of the kind ever known in the county. The church was crowded and many were unable to gain
admittance. All of the local pastors took part in the exercises. There were over sixty vehicles
in the procession that followed the remains to the new cemetery [Oak
Hill].
Judge Rothrock of the supreme court Wm. Bartlett, S. E. Bemis, M. Blow, P. J. Sargent and E. R.
Littell were the pall bearers.
F. L. Soper, prominent in business circles at Madison, Dak., brother of Mrs. J. W. Ridley,
attended the funeral of Mr. Ridley, Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Soper, Miss Ruby Soper and E. B.
Soper, Jr., of Emmetsburg, were in attendance at the funeral of Mr. Ridley Tuesday.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: Northern Vindicator, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa. SUMMONED BY DEATH
Mary E. Ridley died at the home of her son, Chas. Ridley, Monday evening [May 17, 1909] at 9
o'clock of grippe. She had been an invalid for twenty-seven years. Her funeral services will be
held in the Baptist church this afternoon at 2:30, Rev. A. C. Droz officiating. Burial will be
made in Oak Hill cemetery beside the remains of her husband, Eugene Ridley.
Mary E. Ridley was born in Gardner, Maine, December 11, 1846. She was united in marriage to
Eugene Ridley in Gardner, November 25, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Ridley moved to Emmet county in 1867 and
this has been their home since then.
Three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Ridley, Hattie [Maria] Ridley, Mrs. R. D. Soper
[Isa Laura] and Chas. Ridley remain to mourn her death.
Mr. Ridley died about 33 years ago. Since her husband's death she has lived with her children.
Lately Mrs. Ridley has been living with her son, Chas. Ridley.
As one of the early settlers of Emmet county Mrs. Ridley has watched with pleasure the growth of
Estherville and community. Her death removes another of the honored pioneers. Mrs. Ridley was a
devout Christian woman, a good mother, and one of the kindest of ladies.
The community sympathizes with the family.
Submitted by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: Estherville Enterprise, Estherville,
Emmet County, Iowa, May 19, 1909. ROBERT E. RIDLEY PASSES AWAY
Roy J. Ridley, of this city, received a message last Tuesday morning from
[Altadena, Los Angeles Co.] California
announcing the death of the original settler of this city, Robert E. Ridley. Mr. Ridley has
been in failing health for this past nine months and his extreme age of ninety-two gave him
but little chance of recovery. Mr. Ridley resided here until a few years ago when he moved
to California to spend his declining years.
Estherville was named after his wife, Mrs. Esther Ridley, and they were the first settlers in
this city and were its founders and to their memory one of the finest little cities in the land,
named after the wife remain as a monument to them hereafter.
The Ridley family came to Emmet County in the year 1857 and erected here a block home hewed
from native timber. The home was a massive construction for the time being, sixteen by twenty-two
feet, and a half-story in height. The home lacked a floor as did most of those pioneer homes.
The family resided here for eighteen months. As the history goes this building stood about where
the Rock Island roundhouse now stands.
Mr. Ridley pre-empted a hundred sixty acres where Estherville or a portion of it now stands.
After eighteen months Mr. Ridley erected a log house across the river at the west end of the Rock
Island bridge. This was the same size on the ground but was a story and a half high. Here the
Ridley family resided for five years and it was here that the two oldest children were born.
The next five years were spent in a home built on the town site near the corner where now stands
The First Trust and Savings Bank. They resided here about a year and sold out and moved to a
homestead, about two miles southeast of Estherville. He again moved to Estherville and resided
on what was known as the Bartlett addition and lived there for a time and then erected a home on
the opposite side of the street and occupied it. This was in the year 1889.
During his early residence here he occupied his time with his land and did whatever work he
could find to do. He endured all the hardships it was possible to endure during that early period.
He hewed the timber during his first year for a saw mill, and he with his father, Robert P.
Ridley, and Adolphus Jenkins erected a mill and built a dam across the Des Moines river. They
operated this mill for three years when he sold his interest in the mill. He was a diligent
worker for his town of Estherville and the park on which the court house and the library now
stand were donated to the city by him.
Robert E. Ridley was a native of the state of Maine, born in Litchfield on the fifth day of July,
1833. His father was engaged in the mercantile business there and was a carpenter by trade.
Robert E. Ridley was married to Esther A. Allen in the year 1855, she being also from the state
of Maine. To this union there were three children born: Annie, Lucy E. and George E. Their
daughter, Annie was the first white child born in Emmet County according to the history of the
county.
Mr. Ridley served his country in the Civil War and was a diligent member of the Grand Army Post
in this city. He was affiliated with the prohibition party and was of extremely strong temperance
principals.
During his later residence in this city he lived a quiet life but was always a great lover of his
city and willing to do anything which would promote its welfare.
Arrangements for the funeral services have not been made at this time but it will be several days
before the remains, which are to be brought here for burial, will arrive.
All the information thus far received is the message received by Roy J. Ridley.
The following additional information is from the Vindicator and Republican. April
1, 1925--Besides the many friends who mourn Mr. Ridley's passing there are in
Estherville, a granddaughter Mrs. Vance Noe, a nephew Roy J. Ridley, and a niece
Mrs. R. D Soper. Mr. Ridley's son, George E of Cheyenne, Wyo., will
accompany the remains to Estherville.
Submitted by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, Iowa, April 1, 1925.
CC Note: For biography of Esther and Robert
Ridley see Emmet county Biographies Q-R. Robert
and Esther are buried in Oak Hill cemetery,
Estherville, Iowa.
Death of Robert P. Ridley
In the death of Father Ridley one of the old land marks of the pioneer life of Emmet county and
northwestern Iowa, has passed away. He with his family moved to what was then the wilds of this
beautiful locality thirty years ago, and in all these years has been identified with its history
and development.
He came of ancient and historic stock, as his family genealogy is traced back by authentic records
for a thousand years.
The first settlement of his branch of the family in this country was made on Harpswell Island,
Maine, on the coast between Portland and Bath, over two hundred years ago. Here Father Ridley was
born, Jan. 31, 1805 and resided until a young man. Afterward living in Litchfield, Maine, he met
with and was united in marriage with Miss Sophronia Watson, who has so faithfully fulfilled those
sacred marriage vows pledged Feb'y 3, 1827, sixty years ago. They returned to the old homestead
on the island where they resided until their removal to Iowa.
He with his wife were among the number that were originally organized as the Free Baptist church
of Estherville, by Revs. Berry and Coats, some eighteen years ago and has been connected with it
since that time, always loyal to the cause and steadfast as a professor of religion.
His rugged constitution and undismayed fortitude have been nobly manifest in the hardships of
pioneer life, and he bravely met and cheerfully bore all the discomforts of such a life, and after
a pilgrimage of 82 years -- many more that the three score and ten--his spirit went to God who
gave it.
The funeral which was held in the baptist church Tuesday afternoon was largely attended, Rev. R. A.
Coats of Spencer, an old time friend and pastor, officiating.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: the Northern Vindicator, Estherville, Emmet
County., Iowa, April 22, 1887. Roy J. Ridley Dies in California from Heart Attack
Roy J. Ridley, 69, former and prominent Estherville resident, died yesterday noon from a heart
attack at his home in Bell, Calif. He moved to California several years ago after disposing of
his business interests here.
Services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. in the Roy Klinker mortuary, Huntington Park, Calif., and
burial will be at Forest Lawn in Glendale.
He is survived by his widow; two sons, James Hubert and Charles Everett and four daughters, Marion,
Almira, Dorothy and Lois. A son, Robert William, died in infancy. [Robert William died at age 10].
Roy James Ridley was born Oct. 8, 1875, in Estherville, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Watson Ridley.
James Ridley was a brother of Robert E. Ridley, one of the founders of the Estherville settlement
and for whose wife, the city was named.
Roy Ridley was educated in Estherville and attended high school here and was married Nov. 5, 1896,
to Lydia Doolittle.
From 1895, after a year in California, until 1902 he was a livestock dealer and from 1902 to 1910
he served as auditor of Emmet county. He served as member of the board of supervisors, member of
the city council, served on the board of education and acted as president, served as secretary and
director of the Estherville Improvement company and was president of the Oak Hill cemetery
association.
He served a president of the Chamber of Commerce, was a member of Kiwanis International, was a
life member of the BPO Elks lodge, member of the Masonic lodge and was a member of the Baptist
church, which he served as finance committee chairman.
Upon moving to California he sold his dairy business to William Kinnard.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Iowa, Sept. 22, 1945.
DIED.-- In Estherville, Iowa Saturday afternoon at the home of her son A. K. ]Ridley], Mrs.
Sophronia Ridley, aged 85 years, 11 months, and 22 days. In the death of this intelligent lady,
Emmet County loses one of her first settlers, she having come here from Maine with her husband in
1859 sic [1857]. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ridley, five of whom are now living two
sons and three daughters. Five years ago last February the 60th wedding anniversary of this highly
respected couple was celebrated, and about two years and a half after that important and happy
event, the husband was called home. The ever dutiful wife was a member of the Free Baptist church,
being converted to that faith when but fourteen years of age. She was born in Litchfield, Maine.
The funeral was held at the Baptist church last Sunday afternoon, Rev. Toothacre preaching the
sermon, and the interment was made in the west side cemetery.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: the Northern Vindicator, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa April 6,
1891.
Mrs. Rierson Passes Away Last rites were held here yesterday afternoon at the Estherville Lutheran
church for Mrs. Anna L. Rierson, 68, resident of this city for thirty years, who
died Friday afternoon [Oct. 9, 1935] at her home in Fort Dodge and the Rev. L.
A. Mathre officiated at the services. Burial was in Oak Hill cemetery. Mrs. Rierson was born in Sweden and came to the United States fifty years
ago. She came to this county shortly after her arrival in this country and
was a resident here until 1915, when the family moved to Fort Dodge. Mr.
Rierson passed away in 1927. Two daughters and five sons survive. They are Mrs. A. R. Hutchinson of
Fort Dodge, Mrs. Frank Naso of San Mateo, Calif., David R. Rierson of Oregon,
Ill., Walford M. of Boone, Clifford J. of Beaver Creek, Minn., and Philip T. and
Selmer G. of Fort Dodge. On son Hjalmar and her husband preceded her in
death. Two sisters and two brothers also survive. They are Miss Ida
Danielson of San Francisco, Mrs. Gusta Johnson of Minneapolis, John E. Danielson
of St. Ansgar, ad Arvid of Sweden. There are also six grandchildren.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: The Vindicator and Republican, Estherville,
Emmet County, Iowa, October 15, 1935.
Mrs. R. H. Rierson
Slowly one by one the pioneer settlers are called to their heavenly home by the ruthless reaper,
death.
Again we are called to chronicle the passing away of one of Emmet County's most highly respected
ladies, Mrs. R. H. Rierson who died [21 Feb 1914] at the home of her son, Oliver, on South Tenth street at the
age of 83 years and 10 days.
Mrs. Rierson was a patient, kind self-sacrificing wife and mother and endeared herself to all who
were fortunate enough to make her acquaintance.
Marit was born in Vang, Valdres, Norway 10 Feb 1831, a daughter of Ole and
Dorthea Myhre, and moved to Emmet County in 1866 where she and her good husband
homesteaded in High Lake township. They moved to Alabama in 1897, then came back to Emmet county
in 1902 and made their home in Estherville one year after which they made their home in Wallingford.
Her husband preceded her to his heavenly home three years ago, on February 14 [1911]. After residing
in Wallingford she has since made her home with her son in this city. She had not complained of
feeling ill but about a week prior to her death she said she was tired and took to her bed where
she rested peacefully until the end which came Friday evening [Feb. 20, 1914] at ten o'clock.
The services were held at the house at 10:30 Tuesday morning and taken to the church at Wallingford
where a short and impressive service was read. The remains were laid to rest in the
cemetery near
Wallingford.
She leaves to mourn her death one son, Oliver Rierson, of this city and three
daughters, Mrs. E. W. Gilbert (Bell) of High Lake township, Mrs. Tom Halverson
(Julia) of Estherville, and Mrs. Chas. Martinson (Lizzie) of Storm Lake. She
leaves one brother, A. O. Myhre of this city.
MR. R. H. RIERSON DEAD
Mr. Rierson died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Tom Holverson (sic) at
Estherville Tuesday morning [14 Feb 1911] at about ten o'clock at the age of 77
years and four months. He has been a sufferer of rheumatism for some years, but
the last eighteen months has been helpless. He was taken from his home here to
the home of his daughter at Estherville about three months ago so they could
care for him better. He has been very patient through all his sufferings.
The wife has been quite sick at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. W. Gilbertson,
and will not be able to attend the funeral of her husband so the remains will be
brought to the G. W. Gilbertson home and the funeral held from there Friday at
12 o'clock and at the River Side church at 1:30 and Mr. Rierson laid to rest in
his last resting place in the church cemetery. He leaves an aged wife, three
daughters, Mrs. Holverson of Estherville, Mrs. G. W. Gilbertson of Wallingford,
and Mrs. Lizzie Martinson of Storm Lake, Iowa and one son, Oliver of Estherville
to mourn his death. We extend sympathy to the bereaved family.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: Vindicator and Republican,
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, February 22, 1911. Mrs. Catherine Ries
Mrs. Catherine [Marie] Gaarde Ries was born April 11, 1867, in Schleswig
Holstein, then a province of Denmark, and died Friday morning, March 5 [1953] at
the age of 75 years, 10 months and 22 days.
In 1880, when she was 13 years old, she came to the United States with her
parents. They made their home in Bellevue, Iowa. The family moved to Emmet
County in April, 1882.
She was confirmed in the Lutheran church at Clinton when she was 16 years old.
On April 7, 1887, she was married to Peter A. Ries. They were the parents of
four children, Lewis Ries of Ringsted, Arthur Ries of Oklee, Minn., Edna Ries of
Sioux Falls, S. D. and Edward Ries who died in 1894. Peter Ries died in 1895.
After her husband's death Mrs. Ries lived in Armstrong for a short time, later
moving to a farm where she lived until 1925. She made her home in Estherville
for a few years but returned to farming on her farm three miles north of
Ringsted where she spent the rest of her life.
Surviving her death are three children; four grandchildren, four sisters, Mrs.
Augusta Wilson of Glad, Kan., Mrs. Marie Thomsen of Sioux City, Mrs. J. J. Rovn
of Ringsted and Mrs. Sena Tarner of Fargo, N. D.; and three brothers, Hans
Gaarde of Estherville, Peter Gaarde of Armstrong and Chris Gaarde of Rapid City,
S. D. Another brother, Nels Gaarde of Clinton, died in 1934.
Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 from St. Paul's Lutheran
church in Ringsted, conducted by the Rev. Walter Nave. Burial was in the
church
cemetery west of town.
Relatives and friends from out of town attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs.
Arthur Ries and Shirley of Oklee, Minn., Miss Edna Ries of Sioux Falls, S. D.,
Mrs. Agusta Wilson and Dale of Glade, Kan., Mrs. Marie Thompsen, Miss Ella
Christensen, and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Christensen of Sioux City, Mrs. Sena
Tarner of Fargo, N. D., A. Gaarde and Albert of Mason City.
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: Estherville Daily News,
Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, March 12, 1953. CECIL RIGGS RITES ARE SET FOR
MONDAY
Albert CecilRiggs, 73, was found dead of a heart attack in the flower garden of his
home at W. 405 5th Ave N. yesterday [Aug 10, 1962] at 10:30 a. m.
He was born here April 13, 1889, the son of Isaac and Sarah Riggs, and was
married to Lela Mae Bullis, June 13, 1914, at Dows. Mr. Riggs was a 1909
graduate of Estherville High School.
Survivors include one son, Rex; twin daughters, Mrs. William (Dorothy) Hiveley
and Mrs. Vern (Doris) Dahna, all of Estherville, a niece, Mrs. August (Alice)
Haisman of Armstrong, who was reared in the Riggs home; one sister, Mrs. Ed
Beatty of Spirit Lake and 15 grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his wife, four sisters and four brothers.
Funeral services will be held Monday with a family service at 10:30 a.m. at
Sandin-Fuhrman Funeral home and a public service at 2 p.m. at First Methodist
Church. The Rev. Fred Ortmeyer will officiate. Burial will be in
East Side
Cemetery. Friends may call at Sandin-Fuhrman from Saturday until 11:00 a.m.
Monday when the body will be taken to the church to lie in state until the time
of service.
Pallbearers will be C. J. Mathieson, Fred Elwood, Palmer Halverson, Glenn Story,
Lonnie Pierson and Morton Evans.
Contributed by:
Doreene Hansen. RIGGS, Ida Christine A GOOD WOMAN GONE
Mrs. Edward (Edwin) Riggs Died This Morning After Brief Illness--Leaves Four
Children
Mrs. Edward Riggs departed this life early this morning at the family home in
this city after an illness of only a few days. It came as a great shock to her
circle of friends, and leaves desolate a home with four small children, and
husband, who will sorely miss the guidance of a good mother and the aid of a
worthy helpmate. Mrs. Riggs was known as a woman of high ideals, and she had the
confidence and respect of all who knew her. She was a good neighbor, always
ready to go to the aid of those in affliction and distress. But she will be
missed far more from the little home who needs a mother's love and tenderness in
the rearing of the family. It is one of the saddest deaths we have been called
upon to chronicle and we but voice the sentiment of the entire community in
extending sympathy to the bereaved husband and family.
Ida Christine Berdahl was born in Emmet county February 14th, 1884, being at the
time of her death 33 years, 2 months and 9 days of age. She was married April
19, 1911 to Edward (Edwin) Riggs and to this union four children were born, all
of whom survive her. they are Genevieve, Alice, Francis and the babe ten days
old. (Ida Christine aka Betty) Mrs. Riggs, in early life, united with the German
Lutheran church and remained a devoted member all her life. With the exception
of six years spent in Martin county, Minnesota, she was a life long member of
this community. At the time we go to press funeral arrangements have not been
completed.
Contributed by:
Doreene Hansen. Source:
Emmet County Museum Book of Obits April 1917.
Ike Riggs, who came to Estherville in 1864, passed away at his home Thursday
night of pneumonia. Mr. Riggs was nearly 77 years old but had always been
unusually active and until his last illness was out every day with his truck.
During his residence in Estherville the town has grown from a village of seven
families to its present population of nearly 6,000.
Came Here 63 Years Ago
Deceased was born on April 14, 1850, in Stueben county, New York. In the spring
of 1864 his father, James, wife (Minerva) and two sons (Isaac & William), came
by train to Iowa Falls, then by stage to Fort Dodge. At that village it was
necessary to hire a team to reach Estherville. Ike, then a young man of fourteen
years, hired out the following spring to Eldridge Whitcomb, whose farm laid at
the north end of the present city square. On July 4, 1869, Mr. Riggs married
Sarah (Alice) Conner. Ten children were born to them, five of whom now survive.
These are Mrs. Chas. Reed and A. C. Riggs of Estherville, Mrs. Clyde Beatty of
Spirit Lake, and Ed, whose address is not known. Mrs. Riggs died about twenty
years ago.
Knew Privation
Mr. Riggs passed thru all the trying experiences of the pioneer days, the wet
years, the dry ones, the grasshopper ravages at which time he lost an 80 acre
farm west of Estherville, the blizzards of winter and all the minor tribulations
that came to the early settlers of the little villages and the wide praires of
50 years ago.
As one of his means of livelihood besides his farming operations, he did
overland teaming to the nearest trading points. At first Cedar Rapids was the
nearest point. Later farm produce was hauled to Fort Dodge which was a six day
trip, with a good team, and six days back to Estherville. When the Milwaukee
road was built, Algona and Windom, Minn., were the new trading places, then with
the coming of east and west line of the Milwaukee, Jackson and Emmetsburg.
Funeral Sunday
Funeral services for this well known pioneer were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30
from the Christian Church with Rev. H. L. Olmstread in charge and interment made
in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Contributed by:
Doreene Hansen. Source:
Vindicator & Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, January 26, 1927.
Isaac Hammon Riggs
One of Emmet county's oldest pioneers, Isaac Hammon Riggs, passed away at the
home of his son, Cecil Riggs, on Sixth street on last Thursday evening [January
26, 1927]. Death came from pneumonia, he having taken a severe cold only a short
time before his death.
Mr. Riggs was born on April 14, 1850 in Stueben county, New York. His early
boyhood days were spent on a farm in the heavy timber district of that state. It
was here he received his early schooling in a school house built of logs and
with log benches. His was a real life of the pioneer days not only there, but
when he with his family moved to Emmet county. He was but fifteen years of age
at the time he came here with his parents. He has always made this his home with
the exception of few years in Fayette county. At the time Mr Riggs came to this
county with his parents (James and Minerva), the railways had only reached the
central part of the state. Their trip here was made by stage and it took them
six days overland. H
Had Made Home in Gruver Community for 26 Years -- Funeral Thursday
Lived in Emmet County 46 Years
Died Wednesday Morning In Her Home
By the side of the river of light,
Where saints all immortal and fair,
Are robed in their garments of white.
The far away home of the soul,
Where no storms ever beat on that glittering strand,
While the years of eternity roll.
Over the River of Death
Joining the glad Jubilee
Welcome, the bright angels say,
White robes are waiting for thee.
By George N. Luccock
[JMR:15 March 1921]
Funeral Services of Matthew Richmond Held Last Friday
Dies Early Today
At Springfield
1901-1980
SAN JUAN RESIDENT SUMMONED BY DEATH
A. K. Ridley came to Washington Twenty Eight Years Ago
MRS. ALMIRA RIDLEY DIED WEDNESDAY
NIGHT, APRIL 3, AT 11 O'CLOCK
LIVED IN THIS CITY OVER FIFTY YEARS
Funeral Was Held From The Federated
Baptist Church Friday Afternoon
And Was Largely Attended
ESTHERVILLE'S FIRST WHITE WOMAN
Died 15 Jul 1889
Mary E. Ridley Died at the Home of
Her Son Monday Evening
RESIDENT OF COUNTY 41 YEARS
Founder of the City of Estherville Passes Away in California on Saturday Last.
Our City Was Named After Mrs. Esther Ridley
Robert P. [Purrington] Ridley departed this life Monday, April 18th, 1887
after an illness of one week.
Former Resident of Estherville Brought Here For Burial
PIONEER CALLED TO HEAVENLY HOME
Died at the Home of Her Son, Oliver, Friday Evening
BORN IN NORWAY
Moved to High Lake Township in 1866 Where They Homesteaded
Contributed by: Ruth
Hackett. Source: The Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, Iowa weekly
newspaper, Feb. 25 1914; The Myhre-Berge Family
Directory, pages 2 and 7, publ. July 1961 in Valders, WI
Mr. Riggs was a lifelong resident of Estherville, operating a draying and
trucking business here.
Ike Riggs, Oldest Pioneer of City, Dies Thursday
Seven Houses in Village When He Came 63 Years Ago;
Teamed To Ft Dodge
1850-1927