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THE FLU EPIDEMIC OF 1918 - It's Impact on Johnson County

The Dead

November Victims

*NOTE: the dates shown below reflect the date the news appeared in the newspaper. *
(Non Influenza deaths are listed also)
Click on links to view obituaries

1 Nov 1918 – The remains of W J Barry, son of Mr & Mrs Thomas Barry, who died in Seattle, Washington, will be brought to Iowa City for burial which will probably take place Saturday November 2, the time is uncertain, as complete arrangement have not yet been made. Mrs. Barry had also been ill at their home in Seattle but has now recovered.
1 Nov 1918 – MOTHER OF LARGE FAMILY DIES – Mrs. Rilla Gilbert died at the City hospital yesterday afternoon. She leaves a large family of children. The funeral will be held from the Mortuary Saturday morning at then and the interment will be in the cemetery at Sandtown.
2 Nov 1918 – W. J. BARRY FUNERAL THIS MORNING
2 Nov 1918 -  HENRY CARSE - Henry Carse, died at his home in Shueyville Friday. He was 86 years old. Funeral services will be held at Shueyville on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Rev. Mr. Bennett of Iowa City will officiate and burial will be in the cemetery at Shueyville. The family request that no flowers be sent.
2 Nov 1918 -  MRS. ARILLA GILBERT   FUNERAL HELD THIS MORNING
2 Nov 1918 -  MRS. CLARENCE TUTT DIES IN CHICAGO
2 Nov 1918 – GEORGE CLARK DEAD IN NEW JERSEY
George Clark, secretary and financial adviser of a private New Jersey bank, is dead at his home in that state. He was 31 years of age, and his death was caused by influenza, followed by pneumonia. His parents were Mr and Mrs. Myron Clark, now residing at Ames, formerly among the pioneer families of Johnson county. The son was a graduate of Grinnell college, class of 1910.
He leaves a sorrowing wife and children, his parents, and four brothers and five sisters.
Friends in Johnson county will sympathize with the stricken family.
4 Nov 1918 - Mr. & Mrs. L. R. Donovan - HUSBAND AND WIFE DIE - FUNERAL IN OXFORD
5 Nov 1918 -
MRS WM BROGLA DIES AT EARLY MORN
5 Nov 1918 - DIED AT CITY HOSPITAL SUNDAY
Claude Carey, aged 28, died at the city hospital Sunday of pneumonia. With his wife and two very young children he has been living on Kirkwood Avenue. He was an employee of the Rate Glove Co. He has been ill for about a week and had been in the hospital for only a day or two. The wife and one child are gravely ill at the same hospital while the other child is only moderately afflicted. The decedent likewise has a brother in this vicinity. The remains will be taken to the old home in Tennessee tonight and the funeral services will be held there.
5 Nov 1918 - SECOND MEMBER OF FAMILY DIES
Little Dorothy Carey died at the Emergency hospital this morning at ten o’clock. Her death marks the second in the one family in a space counted by hours following as it does so soon the death of her father, Claude Carey. His remains were sent last night to the old home Jonesboro, Tenn., and thither the baby’s tiny corpse will likewise be sent. The mother and older sister continue ill also at the hospital.

7 Nov 1918 – ATKINSON DIES AFTER SAILING FROM U.S.
Relatives in this vicinity have received word of the death of George Atkinson, A E F. The cause of death is not known. He sailed from New York October 7. The body will be sent back to Lake Preston, S. Dakota for burial. Mrs. Celestia Burke of West Branch, an aunt has left Sunday evening for Lake Preston and was joined at Owatonna, Minn. By her daughter, Cora Thompson of Kosson, Minn. Mrs. John Sybil of Oasis, is another aunt while Carver Thompson and kindred of this city are cousins.
8 Nov 1918 - SOLON BOY DIES AT CAMP DODGE
Wesley Sovers, a Solon boy died of Spanish influenza at Camp Dodge. He was a splendid soldier and leaves to grieve for him, his mother, four brothers and two sisters. The community sympathize with the sorrowing family.
9 Nov 1918 – Card of Thanks – We wish to thank our friends and neighbors for their kindness and sympathy, also for the floral offerings sent at the time of the death of our father, James Lacina, Sr. The Children
9 Nov 1918 - Clifford John Boyce, formerly of Johnson County is dead at Platte, South Dakota. His wife was a Solon girl, Miss Gladys Fisher, daughter of J. H. Fisher. Mr. Boyce had resided in South Dakota since leaving Johnson county fifteen years ago.
11 Nov 1918 -  
MABEL BOWEN EDWARDS  IS LAID TO REST
15 Nov 1918 - Mrs. Joseph Brookhart - BURY LONE TREE VICTIM OF FLU
16 Nov 1918 – HENRY MOYLAN DIES AT EARLY MORN
16 Nov 1918 – JOSEPH BENDA - DIED AT CORALVILLE THIS MORNING
16 Nov 1918 – The burial of the late George L. Fisher took place in Oakland cemetery this afternoon after the arrival of the 1:40 car from Cedar Rapids.
16 Nov 1918 –  
Miss Velma Bolon - YOUNG TEACHER DIES OF PNEUMONIA
 18 Nov 1918 – RECEIVED WORD OF MRS. STUTSMAN’S DEATH – Walter M. Davis received a telegram late yesterday evening telling of the death of Mrs. Car. A. Stutsman of Los Angeles, Cal. Mrs. Stutsman died yesterday.
Mr. Stutsman, who is a lawyer of Los Angeles is well known in Iowa City. Perhaps he is better known as “Chip” Stutsman. He was graduated from the University, college of liberal arts in ’91 and law ’92. There are many Iowa City friends extending their sympathy to Mr. Stutsman.
18 Nov 1918 – OXFORD MAN DIED HERE LAST NIGHT – Bert O. Windrem, of Oxford, age twenty six years, passed away at a local hospital last night at 7:20 after an operation for appendicitis. He leaves a wife and a four month old son Emery, also a sister Mrs. Chas. Mercer, living south of the city and an aunt, Mrs. James H. Windrem of Oxford. He was employed at the Louis and Jones garage in Oxford. Mr. Windrem was a good citizen and well-liked by all who knew him.
The funeral will be held Friday at 2 p.m. from the M.E. church at Oxford with burial in the Oxford cemetery. Rev Crowther will officiate.
19 Nov 1918 – INFANT SON DIES THIS MORNING – Lawrence James, the youngest child of Mr.  & Mrs. James Fitzpatrick of 325 south Dubuque Street died early this morning after an illness of several weeks of influenza. The other children of Mr. & Mrs. Fitzpatrick are a daughter, Dolores, aged three years and a son, Michael, aged one and a half years. This little lad was but several months old. The funeral at four this afternoon was private and services were conducted by Rev. Father Cone of St. Patrick’s and interment was in St. Joseph’s.
19 Nov 1918 – MEMORIAL SERVICE AT SCOTT CHURCH
South Scott – Am memorial service will be held at Scott church Sunday morning at 11 o’clock for Francis Scott Larew who died in France, October 11. The services will be conducted by Rev. J A Mintler of Des Moines and C A Marshall of Darby, both former pastors of the church.
20 Nov 1918 – The funeral of the late E. C. Wells who died Sunday was held this morning, the burial being at West Liberty.
20 Nov 1918 – Mr.  & Mrs. Leo Zenfshek (Should be Zenishek) mourn the loss of their in infant daughter, who died very suddenly at the family home northeast of town Friday morning. Funeral services were held Sunday at 1 o’clock from St. Mary’s church, interment in the nearby cemetery. Sympathy is extended the bereaved family.
21 Nov 1918 – Card of Thanks – We grateful acknowledge your kind expression of sympathy and condolence in the loss of our loved infant daughter, Marcella Celine. Mr. & Mrs. Leo Zenishek.
21 Nov 1918 – SPLENDID YOUNG LIFE ENDED TODAY
Miss Annie Margaret Pate died at her home in Union township five miles southwest of Iowa City, this morning at ten o’clock. The cause of death was heart failure and though she has been in frail health for several years the end came unexpectedly. She was the daughter of the late S. E. Pate and his wife Elizabeth Pate. She was born Nov 2, 1884 and was graduated from the Iowa City High school in 1905 and had a host of friends. She was a devout, earnest member of the Welsh Congregational church and in her home proved herself self-sacrificing and thoughtful of others to a marked degree. Truly when such women are taken the world indeed is poorer for their translation and for them the highest need of praise lies in the Savior’s words “She hath done what she could.”
To mourn her loss, besides her mother, she leaves two brothers, Edward and Manley at home; one sister Edna of Minneapolis and another sister, Mrs. J. S. McLaughlin of this city. Her father passed away last August.
To the family struck twice in so short a time countless friends extend their genuine sympathy.
21 Nov 1918 -  TWO DEATHS IN ONE HOME WITHIN A WEEK
When Dean Brookhart, aged 14 years was buried last Sunday it marked the second death in one family within much less than a week. His mother, Katherine Dean Brookhart died at Lone Tree of pneumonia November 12 and her young son died November 16. Thus the father, Joe Brookhart, is left with his one remaining son, Edmund, to mourn the loss of son and wife. Burial was made in the Nichols cemetery.
21 Nov 1918 – SERVICE FOR LATE SHANNAHAN
Tomorrow morning at ten o’clock at St. Patrick’s church there will be a month mind service in memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Shannahan, mother of father Shannahan of this city.
Mrs. Shannahan was a resident of Iowa from the time of statehood up to October 22 of this year. Owing to quarantine conditions at the time, the funeral was private.
21 Nov 1918 – TWO SOLON PIONEERS DIED LAST WEEK
Last Sunday there were two funerals from St. Mary’s church. At 1 o’clock the three months old baby girl Celine Marcella, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Leo D. Zenishek, was buried. As Father Pannoch was at his mission church, St. Procopius in Oxford Township, Father Michalek was in charge of this funeral. In the meantime Father Pannoch had returned and took charge of the funeral of Mrs. Mary Zenishek, the wife of George Zenishek, Sr., of this place, who died last Friday evening. She was nearly 82 years of age, and leaves a husband and six daughters, all of whom are married. Both of the above mentioned families are most highly respected in this neighborhood as was shown by the immense crowds present at both funerals, notwithstanding the rain and the bad condition of the roads.
22 Nov 1918 – MISS CANNON DIES IN DES MOINES
Miss Helen Cannon, daughter of D. A. Cannon of south Lucas Street, died yesterday morning, at Mercy Hospital, in Des Moines. She and her sister, Margaret, had gone to Des Moines to visit friends, and while there Miss Cannon became a victim of influenza.
Funeral arrangements will be made later. The afflicted family have the sympathy of a large circle of friends.
25 Nov 1918 – YOUNG WOMAN CALLED SUNDAY -
Miss Anna Loretta Burns
25 Nov 1918 – FINE YOUNG MAN DIED EARLY SUNDAY - George Elmer Wagner
Mr. Wagner had been sick only a week. His illness began as influenza and terminated in pneumonia.
26 Nov 1918 – DANIEL M. SHAFFER DIED YESTERDAY
26 Nov 1918 – Card of Thanks – We desire to express our heart-felt thanks to the many friends who extended their kindness and sympathy to us in our recent bereavement in the loss of our husband and father, and to render our gratitude for the many floral tokens that were sent. Mrs. Carrie Wells and daughter Violet.
26 Nov 1918 – DETAILS OF DEATH OF ERNEST M. ADAMS
27 Nov 1918 – ANOTHER JOHNSON BOY DIES IN SERVICE
John Weno, the son of John Weno of Penn Township died in the service of Uncle Sam on October 25. He was called to camp in August and when the family did not hear from him for some time they started an investigation which revealed that the ill-fated young man had died October 25. The cause of death and the place where he died have not yet been learned.
The young man was about twenty-nine years of age and leaves his parents, an older sister, Mary, and a younger brother, Louis.
27 Nov 1918 – FUNERAL OF G E WAGNER TODAY – The funeral of the late lamented G. E. Wagner was held from the Mortuary this morning at ten o’clock. The Rev. S. E. Ellis, pastor of the Methodist church conducted the services. Interment was in Oakland cemetery. The funeral was private.
Mrs. Wagner is so very near death this morning that only slight hope of her recovery is entertained.
27 Nov 1918 – CLARENCE L. HUGHES - DIES ON FRENCH SOIL IN OCTOBER
Mr. & Mrs. Luke Hughes of Sharon Township received word that their son, Clarence L. Hughes, died in France on October 31st of bronchial pneumonia. The young man was called to Camp Dodge the last week in June and reached the scene of fighting about September first. Since then his family have not been able to get word from him – then Monday came the confirmation of their worst fears.
The heroic young soldier who had to die so far from home and loved ones, leaves his parents whose first born he was, four sisters, Ethel of Omaha, Maud at home, Alice in the high school and Hazel of the Brenard Mfg. Co., and two brothers at home, Basil and Clark.
27 Nov 1918 – ERNEST LEDMAN DIED IN FRANCE
29 Nov 1918, Friday, Pg. 1 - SERIOUS TURN TAKEN IN FLU EPIDEMIC HERE
Six Deaths in Thirty Hours
During the thirty hours ending this morning six deaths are attributed to influenza in Iowa City, as follows:
  • Edward Casey, Sr., home with Mrs. Thomas Farrell, 634 South Summit.
  • Charles Stanton, 113 West College
  • Ralph Abbot, 8 East College; age 38
  • Mrs. Hilda E. Wagner, 217 East Davenport
  • Mrs. Edwin W. Finefield, 1255 Keokuk; wife of a Civil War Veteran (Note: it was actually Mr. Finefield who died, not Mrs.)
  • Mrs. Belle Webb, Strand Apartments, age 55; one daughter survives
29 Nov 1918 - EARLY PIONEER DIED YESTERDAY - EDWARD CASEY, SR.
29 Nov 1918 – CHARLES STANTON DIED THURSDAY
29 Nov 1918 – YOUNG WIFE SOON FOLLOWS HUSBAND -
Mrs. G. E. Wagner
29 Nov 1918 – RALPH ABBOTT DIED THANKSGIVING
He is survived by one sister and four brothers, the latter all of this city. His sister is Mrs. Carrie Wainscott of Kansas City and his brothers are Ben, Fred, Charles and Harry. The decedent was born and raised in Iowa City and has spent his life here. The funeral will be held from Donahue’s Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The Rev. C. Rollin Sherck will conduct the services which will be private.
29 Nov 1918 – The funeral of Mrs. Moses Yoder who died Saturday of the flu, was held Monday.
30 Nov 1918 – Miss Edna Pate who was called here by the death of her sister, Miss Annie, returned to her home in Minneapolis last Thursday.
30 Nov 1918 – The funeral of the late Mrs. Belle Webb took place this afternoon at 3:30 from Donahue’s. The Rev. Mr. W.E. Ellis, pastor of the Methodist church officiated and interment was made in Oakland cemetery. Mrs. Webb was well known in Iowa City and many friends mourn her death.
30 Nov 1918 – HILLS BOY DIES OF INFLUENZA
John Klein, son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Klein who reside about two and a half miles west of Hills, died at about 7:30 last night after a week’s illness from influenza. He was about twenty-three years old and besides his parents is survived by three brothers and a sister as follows: Wilfred, Frank, Albert and Clara.
The funeral services will be held Monday morning at 10 o’clock from the home. Burial in Meintzer cemetery.
30 Nov 1918 – HENRY F. L. BROOKS PASSED AWAY TODAY
30 Nov 1918 – MISS JULIA CAREY DIED THIS MORNING
30 Nov 1918 – DIES SOON AFTER REACHING NEW HOME – Mrs. Annie R. Scott, aged 21 years died last evening of pneumonia. With her husband W K Scott she came here a short time ago to work for a family in the neighborhood of Digby station. Her death following so shortly upon her leaving her old home seems particularly sad.
The funeral will be held from the Mortuary but the hour cannot be set until her relatives in Mason City can be communicated with.

Source: Iowa City Press Citizen



Burial Records
Note: some names have links to obituaries
NAME BIRTH YEAR DEATH DATE TWP. BURIAL PLACE 
Earl H Gibson 1897 4 Nov 1918 Iowa City
James Stinocher 1895 15 Nov 1918 Solon
Ida M Bell 1878 6 Nov 1918 Washington
Henry Carse 1832 1 Nov 1918 Jefferson
John H Voss 1914 2 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Belle Webb 1864 29 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Celene Zenishek 1918 16 Nov 1918 Big Grove
Mary Zanshek Abt 1837 14 Nov 1918 Big Grove
Melvin C Roegler 15 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Benj F Naftzger 1882 6 Nov 1918 Penn
Hilda E Wagner 1894 30 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Magdalena Helmuth 1915 25 Nov 1918 Sharon
Geo L Fisher 1882 15 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Anna Brysch 1874 14 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Zella B Loney 1890 8 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Daniel Schaffer 1845 25 Nov 1918 Oxford
George E Wagner 1894 24 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Ralph W Abbott 1880 23 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Edward J Casey 1852 28 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Lena Gingerich 1896 29 Nov 1918 Sharon
Emil Riddle 1895 29 Nov 1918
Mary Yoder 1890 23 Nov 1918 Sharon
Anna Lauretta Burns 1890 24 Nov 1918 Hardin
Lawrence Maher 1909 13 Nov 1918 Hardin
James Lacina 1842 6 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Lawrence J Fitzpatrick 1918 19 Nov 1918 Iowa City
Frantiska Pertlicek 1832 9 Nov 1918 Big Grove
Annie M Pate 1884 19 Nov 1918 Union Township
Francis S Larew 1894 1918 Iowa CIty


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Page updated 15 April 2020