[Infant Son Thompson]

Iowa South-West

Saturday    December 23, 1876    [p. 3]

Died

THOMPSON----On the 17^th, Infant son of Mr. and Mrs. J. [ames] M. [onroe] Thompson [Martha Hedrick]; aged about 10 months

[Anna Sarah Gilbert Martin]

Times-Republican

Thursday     June 23, 1904     [p6]

Mrs. Anna Martin Dead

Mrs. L. [emuel] Deremer [Fannie Gilbert Thompson] left on the noon train Thursday for Afton.  Her sister, Mrs. Anna [Gilbert] Martin of that place was very sick, at that time, and died the next day.  The funeral will be held in Afton Sunday, June 19^th.  Her sister, Mrs. Ellen [Gilbert] Patton and her cousin, C. [larence] G. Simpson started at noon today to be present at the obsequies.

Mrs. Martin was formerly a resident of this place and had many friends here who will be saddened when they learn of her death.

[Anna Sarah Gilbert Martin]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    June 23, 1904   p. 5]

Mrs. L. [emuel] Deremer [Fannie Gilbert Thompson] was called Thursday last to Afton by the illness of her sister, Mrs. Anna [Gilbert] Martin, who died Friday.

[Martha Hedrick Thompson]

Bedford Free Press

July 5, 1923    [p. 1]

Mrs. J. M. Thompson Died At Home Here Friday Eve

Funeral Held Tuesday A.M. From Home.  Burial in Fairview.

Mrs. J. [ames] M. [onroe] Thompson, who first came to Bedford in 1868, died at her home in Bedford last Friday evening. June 29^th, after gradually failing in health during the last few months.  Funeral services were held at the home Tuesday forenoon, July 3, at 10:30 o’clock in charge of her pastor, Rev. M. E. Lumbar, and interment made in Fairview Cemetery.

Mrs. Thompson, who was one of the early pioneer women of the town of Bedford, always took a very active part in the better things of this community.  She has contributed her full share of effort and energy to the promotion and growth of the town and community and passed on to her reward after having spent a full and fruitful life.

Following is the obituary as read at the funeral services by Rev. Lumbar of the Presbyterian Church.

Martha M. Hedrick was born in Rush County, Indiana, Nov. 6, 1839.  In early life the family emigrated to Wapello County, Iowa, where her girlhood was spent in a community of pioneers of which her father, John Wesley Hedrick, was one of the leading men in political and religious affairs.

At the close of the Civil War she was united in marriage to James Monroe Thompson, and shortly thereafter they came farther west to Leon, Iowa, where Mr. Thompson clerked in a general store for a short time, after which, in 1868, they came overland to Bedford, which has since been her home continually.

Mrs. Thompson was the mother of ten children, eight of whom survive her.  Mrs. J. [ames] H. Dickey [Grace] of St. Louis; Mrs. H. [arry] L. Guthrie [Helen] of Los Angeles, Calif.; John N. [sic] [M.] Thompson of Portland, Ore.; Lawrence H. [edrick] of Indianapolis, Ind.; and S. [eth] E. [dward], Ralph W., Guy, and Mrs. W. [illiam] C. Richardson [Mary] of Bedford.  All these except Mrs. Guthrie and John N. Thompson are present today.

Mrs. Thompson, with her husband, joined the Presbyterian Church of Bedford soon after their arrival here and almost to the close of her long life she was an active worker and leader in that organization.  She was remarkably energetic and active and throughout her life she found time to take part in the social and religious activities of the community, as well as to rear her large family.

Mr. Thompson preceded her in death in 1906, since which time she has continued to live in the old home.  Her declining years were made comfortable and pleasant by the faithful and loving ministry of her daughter, Mrs. [Mary] Richardson, who lived with her, and by the thoughtfulness of her other children living near her.

A notable character, a faithful mother and counselor, a friend to many has gone to the Father's home and care.  May the blessing she brought to those about her be multiplied and passed to others; may the memory of her and her deeds be a blessing and inspiration to these children who remain.  The community, the world, is better for such a life.

[Eugene Harlan Simpson]

Bedford Free Press

May 31, 1923    [p. 3]

Eugene Simpson Died Last Saturday

Eugene Simpson, 66 years of age, died at his farm home west of Bedford last Saturday morning, after an illness of several years.  He was born on the farm where he died and had spent most of the years of his life there.   He united with the Methodist Church at Gilead early in his life and continued a member there except for the short time that he was away from the farm.  He was united in marriage to Alice May Salen October 16, 1885, and to this union five children were born, Ethel May, Florence Ruby, Alpha Irene, Eugene Paul and Helen Leone, all of whom had the privilege of helping the mother care for him during his last illness.  Eight grand children, seven of whom are living, complete this family circle.

He is the first of the family to receive "Thy one clear call" from his Maker.  After almost two years of illness, "One came softly through the opened door with pierced hands and gently closed his eyes.  So eternal sleep has come to him with surcease from pain, with peace and quiet---and rest."

The funeral was held Monday afternoon at the home conducted by Rev. Gable and interment made in Graceland Cemetery.

[Loa Keith Kinnison]

Bedford Free Press

December 13, 1923    [p. 1]

Mrs. V. M. Kinnison Buried Tuesday P.M. 

Died Last Sunday After Weeks Illness.  Large Attendance at Funeral

The funeral of Mrs. V. [irgil] M. Kinnison was held last Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Church of Christ with Elder Leslie Cobb of Ross Township delivering the funeral sermon.  Interment was in the Bedford cemetery.  The church was packed with those who had assembled to pay last tribute to their good friend Loa [Keith] Kinnison.  The special music given by the mixed quartette of the church, the sermon of Elder Cobb, a life long friend and neighbor of the deceased and her family, and the deep sympathy shown the bereaved husband, the parents and sisters of the deceased by those present, made the whole service very impressive.

Mrs. Kinnison died last Sunday evening and the end came very suddenly and unexpectedly.  A week ago last Sunday while riding with her husband in their car south of Bedford, she became very ill and was hurriedly taken to the home of her sister, Mrs. Arthur Thompson [Zetta Keith] nearby, where she gave birth to a baby girl.  The babe did not live.  While her condition was very critical for a few days, she seemed to be gaining in strength and there was hope for her recovery.  The best of care was being administered and while it was known that she was not yet out of danger, the outlook was hopeful.  Sunday afternoon friends called on her and she talked to them.   Then suddenly she had a sinking spell and a physician from Bedford was summoned.  She rallied from the fainting condition a time or two and recognized her doctor just a few minutes before the end came.  It is believed a blood clot in the heart was the immediate cause of her going.

The entire community was deeply grieved to learn of Mrs. Kinnison's untimely death and are united in sympathy for those left to mourn her going.

Following is the obituary as read by Elder Cobb at the services Tuesday:

Loa S., daughter of J. [oseph] H. and Polly A. [Helms] Keith, was born March 31, 1892, in Ross Township, Taylor County, Iowa, and died at the home of her sister, Mrs. A. [rthur] G. [arrett] Thompson [Zetta], Sunday, December 9, 1923, aged 31 years, 8 months and 8 days.

She spent her life in and near Bedford, where she made a host of friends who mourn her departure.

She was educated in the Bedford schools and taught for three years in the rural schools of the county, two years in the Lenox schools and two years in the Bedford schools, ending her service to the public by serving two years as deputy Clerk of the Courts.  She was a capable and efficient instructor and servant and was honored by all who came under the noble influence of her life.

She obeyed the Gospel in 1915, under the preaching of Elder W. E. Robb, and united with the Church of Christ in Bedford and remained a member until her death.

February 18, 1922, she was united in marriage to Virgil Kinnison, who survives her and mourns the loss of a true and faithful companion.

Besides her father and mother, she leaves three sisters, Mrs. A. [rthur] G. [arrett] Thompson {Zetta], Mrs. Leonard Moore [Della] and Miss Helen Keith, all of Bedford, and all were present at the services.  She also leaves four uncles, two aunts, two nephews and two nieces.