Obituaries
submitted by: Julia Johnson - julia.johnson63@gmail.com

[Elizabeth Caroline Richardson Marley]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    February 13, 1918    [p. 8]

Obituary Elizabeth Marley.

Mrs. Elizabeth Marley passed away at her home in Ross Township Thursday, February 7.  The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock and interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

Elizabeth Caroline Richardson, daughter of John F. and Hester Richardson, was born in Morgan County, Indiana, Sept. 20, 1853, died Feb. 7, 1918, aged 64 years, 4 months and 18 days.  She was united in marriage to Aron [Oren] L. [afayette] Marley Feb. 17, 1878.  The marriage took place in the state of Indiana.  They came immediately to Iowa and located at the home where she resided at the time of her death. 

Mr. Marley preceded her in death September 13, 1912.  To this union six children were born, five boys and one girl.  One son, Floyd, died in infancy.  The remaining children are William R. [oss], D. Fred [rick], Robert C. [leveland] and John E. [arl] Marley, and Jennie M. Trumbo, all of whom were present with her in her last hours.  Besides her children there survive her two brothers, Daniel M. Richardson of Clayton, Ind., who was present at the funeral; Thomas D. R. Richardson of Glenn Pool, Okla.; one sister, Mrs. Hester Allen of Monrovia, Ind., who was also present and three grandchildren.

Early in life Sister Marley confessed faith in Christ and united with the Baptist church.  In the year 1900, under the preaching of Elder, I. D. Moffit, she placed her membership with the Berea Congregation, Church of Christ, at which place she held membership at the time of her death and was held in high esteem for the nobility of her life.

[MARLEY, ELIZABETH CAROLINE RICHARDSON]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, February 28, 1918
Mrs. G. R. Allen, who was called here by the death of her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Marley, left Monday for her home at Morrisville, Ind.

[David McCune Stewart]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    February 13, 1918    [p. 8]

Obituary    David McCune Stewart.

David Stewart passed away at his home in Ross Township, Wednesday, February 6.  The funeral services were held Thursday afternoon from the Siam Methodist church, conducted by Rev. Levi P. Goodwin, and interment made in Siam cemetery.

David McCune Stewart, son of Joseph A. and Jane Stewart, was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1849, and died at his farm home in Ross Township, Taylor County, Iowa, February 6, 1918, at the age of 68 years, 6 months and 16 days.

He was united in marriage with Katherine Elizabeth Bashor, June 9, 1871, and she still lives to mourn his departure.  To this union were born eleven children, ten of whom survive their father, Franklin Cromwell Stewart, Mrs. Anna Belle Manly, William Lester Stewart, all of Hopkins, Mo., Simeon Lee Stewart, Jacob Elmer Stewart and Mrs. Emza Lena Melvin, all of Bedford; Mrs. Ella Louisa Perkins and Mrs. Josie Helen Foreman, of Hopkins, Mo., and Robert Delton Stewart of Bedford.  One daughter, Dessie May Stewart, died in early childhood.  One brother, James Albert Stewart, of Siam, and four sisters, Mrs. Clara Bradley, of Gravity; Mrs. Margaret Jane Dierdorf of Trinidad, Colorado; Mrs. Eliza Amsbaugh of Ottumwa; and Mrs. Ella Craybill of Omaha and one half-brother, Joseph Stewart of Siam, also survive him.

Mr. Stewart came to Taylor County shortly after his marriage in 1871 and settled near Siam where he lived for nearly 30 years.  About 17 years ago, he moved to his late farm residence in Ross Township, where he has since made his home.

In 1833 [sic], he became a member of the Methodist church at Siam and after his removal to the vicinity of the High Prairie church he transferred his church letter to that society, where his membership remained until his death.

He leaves a wide circle of friends and neighbors, who join in extending their sympathy to the bereaved wife and family.

[STEWART, DAVID MCCUNE]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, February 14, 1918
David McCune Stewart, son of Joseph A. and Jane Stewart, was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1849, and died at his farm home in Ross Township, Taylor County, Iowa, February 6, 1918, at the age of 68 years, 6 months and 16 days.
He was united in marriage with Katherine Elizabeth Bashor, June 9, 1871, and she still lives to mourn his departure.  To this union were born eleven children, ten of whom survive their father, Franklin Cromwell Stewart, Mrs. Anna Belle Manly, William Lester Stewart, all of Hopkins, Mo., Simeon Lee Stewart, Jacob Elmer Stewart and Mrs. Emza Lena Melvin, all of Bedford; Mrs. Ella Louisa Perkins and Mrs. Josie Helen Foreman, of Hopkins, Mo., and Robert Delton Stewart of Bedford.  One daughter, Dessie May Stewart, died in early childhood.  One brother, James Albert Stewart, of Siam, and four sisters, Mrs. Clara Bradley, of Gravity; Mrs. Margaret Jane Dierdorf of Trinidad, Colorado; Mrs. Eliza Amsbaugh of Ottumwa; and Mrs. Ella Craybill of Omaha and one half-brother, Joseph Stewart of Siam, also survive him.
Mr. Stewart came to Taylor County shortly after his marriage in 1871 and settled near Siam where he lived for nearly 30 years.  About 17 years ago, he moved to his late farm residence in Ross Township, where he has since made his home.
In 1883 he became a member of the Methodist church at Siam and after his removal to the vicinity of the High Prairie church he transferred his church letter to that society, where his membership remained until his death.
He leaves a wide circle of friends and neighbors, who join in extending their sympathy to the bereaved wife and family.
The funeral was held at the Siam M. E. church Thursday afternoon, February 7th, in charge of Levi P. Goodwin, of Bedford and he was laid to rest in the Siam cemetery.

[Harry Pierce Timberlake]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 6, 1947    p. 2

Obituary - Harry Timberlake

Harry Pierce Timberlake, son of Robert D. and Minnie M. [Gamble] Timberlake, was born June 15, 1867 near Alpha, Henry County, Illinois and died at his home in Mason Township, January 22, 1947, aged 79 years, 7 months and 7 days.

In his eighth year the family moved to Taylor County, where his father had bought a tract of raw prairie land.  It has been the pleasure of the deceased to live upon this farm for more than 65 years of his life and to witness the transformation of the prairie into highly productive acres.  He was proud to own the home farm and gladly gave to its cultivation a lifetime of service.

He attended the rural school near his home and later the Bedford school.

On March 19, 1890, he was married to Cynthia Dugan and to them were born three children, Bruce, who died at four and one half months, Grace Richey of Des Moines, and Verne of this vicinity.  He is also survived by four granddaughters, Kathleen Garrett and Patricia Richey of Des Moines, Gretchen and Sara Ann Timberlake of Bedford; also by a great grandson, Bobbie Garrett of Des Moines.  A brother, Claude Timberlake, of Bedford, and two sisters, Nell Sparks of Gravity and Bertha Anderson of Bedford survive.

Mrs. Timberlake died October 10, 1936 since which time he has made his home with his son, Verne, and family.

In the past fifteen years he has experienced several serious illnesses and for the past year has been afflicted with a heart malady.  He bore his sickness with fortitude, knowing full well the end of the road was near.

Born of an old southern family, he was an active member of the Democratic Party and under its banner served for six years as a member of the Taylor County Board of Supervisors.  He accepted the responsibility of public office as a sacred trust and gave to the discharge of its duties his best effort.

He was a Past Noble Grand of the I. O. O. F. of New Market and a member of Nodaway Encampment of Clarinda.

A natural farmer, his happiest hours were spent at the home farm surrounded by his family, neighbors and friends, where he enjoyed watching and tilling the growing crops, and feeding and caring for the livestock.

True to his ancestry, he loved the thoroughbred horse and had been privileged to breed and own several of proven ability.

A good man and substantial citizen has passed on.

The funeral services were held at the Bedford Methodist church Sunday afternoon, January 26, conducted by Rev. C. W. Proctor of Sharpsburg, assisted by Rev. Russell G. Nye of the Bedford church.

Burial was at Graceland cemetery.

[Harry Pierce Timberlake]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 6, 1947    p. 2

Attend Timberlake Rites

Friends and relatives from a distance attending the funeral services for Harry Timberlake, Sunday, included:  Mr. and Mrs. Harold Richey [Grace] and daughter, Patricia, Miss Fern Richey, Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Garrett and son Bobbie, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Holland, all of Des Moines; Mrs. Nellie Sparks, Mrs. John Briden of Janesville, Iowa; W. J. Furlong of Rochelle, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. George Timberlake of Woodhull, Ill.; Mrs. Bertha Gumm of Galesburg, Ill.; Alice Timberlake and Ralph Timberlake of Alpha, Ill.; Mrs. Arthur Beckman of Lincoln, Nebr.; Mr. and Mrs. Jed Miller of Irwin, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Jud Miller of Quimby, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Ferry of Kirkman, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Rope, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Wainwright, Jr. and son Stephen, Arthur Wainwright, Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Sparks, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Harkless, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Dougherty, all of Clarinda.  Mrs. Laura Boyd of Hopkins; Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Terbell of New Market, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Stephens of Conway, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Farlow, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Farlow [Mary Lois Moore] of Siam; Mr. and Mrs. Albert McClelland of Corning, George Warin of Maloy, Atty. Emmett Warin of Mount Ayr, Dr. Lee Warin of Shenandoah.

[Suanne Kay Young]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 19, 1946    [p. 1]

Infant Daughter of YoungÕs Dies

Funeral services were held Saturday morning at Rose Hill cemetery, Shenandoah, at 10 o'clock for Suanne Kay Young, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. G. Young of Clearfield.  The Rev. Franklin Wales was in charge.  The baby was born Thursday at Red Oak and died the next day.

There are two other children in the family, Wm. Geo. Young, Jr., 7 and Robert Dale Young, 2.

Mr. Young is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Young of Bedford.


[Clevy Augustus Carley]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday   August 1, 1916    p. 8

Former Free Press Foreman Claimed By Death

Word has been received here of the death of C. A. Carley, which occurred at the Mercy Hospital in Clinton, Iowa, July 22.  Mr. Carley was a resident of Bedford about five years ago, at which time he was foreman of the Bedford Free Press.  At the time of his death he was editor and publisher of the Chadwick Standard at Chadwick, Ill.

Clevy Augustus Carley was born October 15, 1882, at Mt. Carroll, Carroll County, Ill.  His boyhood was spent in the Mt. Carroll schools, graduating there from in the year 1901, after which he learned the printing business at the office of the Mt. Carroll Mirror.  He was united in marriage to Miss Belle Eshelman, November 16, 1903.  Several years ago he went to Kansas City, where he had a position in a job-printing establishment, returning later to Mt. Carroll, taking his old position with the Mirror.  About one year ago he purchased the Chadwick Standard, which he and Mrs. Carley successfully handled.  His sudden death was a great shock to his friends and the whole neighborhood.  He is survived by his wife, his parents, three brothers and three sisters.  The funeral services were held at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred S. Carley, in Mt. Carroll, Tuesday, July 25, at 3 o'clock P. M.  Rev. A. D. Shafer conducted the services, being assisted by Rev. L. V. Sittler, both of Chadwick.  The music was furnished by the Chadwick male quartette.  Interment was made in the Oak Hill cemetery.

[Lloyd O'Dell]

Bedford Free Press

Wednesday    November 13, 1918    [p. 1]

Lloyd O'Dell Dies Serving in France

Word was received here Saturday evening that Lloyd O'Dell, son of Warren O'Dell, had died in France of pneumonia.  O'Dell left Taylor county in August and was sent to Camp Dodge.  A few days before leaving for Camp Dodge he was united in marriage to Miss Floris Campbell, daughter of County Recorder and Mrs. Richard Campbell [Susanna Adams].  It is thought that he contracted the influenza, which developed into pneumonia, causing his death.

[Lloyd O'Dell]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    June 2, 1921    [p. 1]

Body of Lloyd O'Dell Returned.

Elsewhere in this issue appears an account taken from the New Market Herald telling of the word received by the parents of Lloyd O'Dell of New Market, that his body had reached Hoboken and would be returned to them soon for burial.  Mr. O'Dell died overseas in October 1918, of pneumonia.  Before going to war, he was married to Miss [Floris] Campbell, a daughter of Dick Campbell, former county Recorder, and now a resident of Bedford.


[Schoenmann, Caroline Mary Needham]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    June 2, 1921    [p. 1]

Mrs. F. Schoenmann Dies.

Mrs. F. [erdinand] Schoenmann [Caroline M. Needham] of Blockton died at their home in Blockton the first of the week and was buried Tuesday.  Death came very suddenly.  Her husband, who preceded her in death about two years ago, was engaged in the lumber business in Blockton for a number of years.

[Bessie Walkinshaw Duncan]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    December 19, 1946    [p. 1]

Mrs. Orie Duncan Dies At Home Here

Mrs. Orie Duncan [Bessie Walkinshaw], 73, died at her home in Bedford Tuesday, December 17.  She had been quite ill for several months.

The funeral services will be held at the Wetmore Funeral Home at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Gordon F. MacLean.  Burial will be in the Fairview cemetery.

[Samuel Dresher]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    April 4, 1907

Death of Samuel Dresher.

Samuel Dresher died in St. Joseph's Hospital, Omaha, Nebraska, Monday morning, March 25, 1907.  The deceased had not been in the best of health for a number of years and about one week prior to his demise he was seized with a chill, which developed into other complications.  He was taken to the hospital on Friday.  His malady was accelerated by an attack of pneumonia, and his enfeebled health was not sufficient to repel the attack and he soon passed away.

Samuel Dresher was born in Potter Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania, in April 1844.  Early in the fifties the family moved to the base of Nittany Mountain, about two miles west of Centre Hall, where they resided until some time after the close of the civil war.  About the close of the year 1865 the deceased was married to Miss Kate Boozer, who died about one year thereafter.  January 16, 1870, Mr. Dresher was married to Miss Helen Mowery, in Bellefonte [Centre County, Pennsylvania].  Some time after that event the Dresher family moved from Bellefonte to Lock Haven [Clinton County Pennsylvania].  In 1877, Samuel Dresher moved to Taylor county, Iowa, and remained there until about the year 1900, when he moved to Omaha and lived there continuously until his death.  He leaves a widow, four sons and two daughters.

He was engaged in contracting and building.  During the civil war he was a member of the 51st Pennsylvania Volunteers.  Doubtless some of his company are still living in Centre County.  He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, G. A. R. and the Eagles.  His body was laid to rest [in Forest] Lawn cemetery according to the forms and ceremonies of the Lutheran Church.

How peculiarly fate has decreed the burial places of the Dresher family is shown by the fact that the father, Stephen, is buried at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, while the mother, Louisa, sleeps in the neglected graveyard in the little country town of Siam, Iowa.  Two sons and one daughter, Jeff, Christy and Dottie, are at rest in the Rock Hill graveyard at Linden Hall [Centre County], Pennsylvania; one son John, is buried at Siam, Iowa, another son, William, sleeps in the beautiful National cemetery at Arlington, Virginia, killed in the battle of the Wilderness; a daughter, Lydia, rests beneath the prairie sod at St. Paul, Nebraska, while Samuel is laid away in the lovely Forest Lawn cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska.  Of the family of twelve children, five are still living in the persons of George, Lodi, Ohio; Charles, Bedford, Iowa; Alfred, Denver, Colorado; Hannah, Red Bluff, California; and Mary, Max, Nebraska.

As I stood by the side of the beautiful casket that contained all that was mortal of Samuel Dresher and looked into the pallid face whose eyes were closed forever to all earthly scenes, my mind turned back to the memories of long ago.  I was a boy again.  I could see Sam Dresher and myself sitting in the old school house at Pine Stump trying to solve the multiplication table.  I could see ourselves in the playground playing 'ball and bat.'  I could see ourselves climbing grand old Nittany Mountain in search of tea leaves and snake root.  I could see ourselves in Logan's branch catching mountain trout with our hands.  I could see ourselves in the many little escapades that are incidents in the life of boyhood.  I could see how little we knew of the real responsibilities of life.  I could see how the steady march of time had stolen upon us and frosted our hair.  I could see how the fifty years of our acquaintanceship had welded us together in a closer fraternal brotherhood as the years went by in their ceaseless march.  All of these things passed before me like a panorama and it made me wish that we were boys again, but possessed of the wisdom that years of experience bring with them.

This is the last tribute I can pay to the friend and companion of my youth, of my boyhood days and of my maturer years.  He has gone down to dreamless dust, but I shall revere his memory until the dark shadows cross the pathway of reason and shut out forever the beauties of this world we both enjoyed so much when we were innocent and untutored children.

                                                                                    E. S. Garver.

[DRESHER, SAMUEL]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, April 4, 1907
E. S. Garver and wife went to Omaha last Tuesday to attend the funeral of Samuel Dresher who died in a hospital in that city early last Monday morning. Mr Garver and Mr. Dresher were school mates back in Pennsylvania nearly fifty years ago and the friendship then formed lasted until death separated them. – Grant City Times

[DRESHER, SAMUEL]
Omaha Daily Bee (Omaha, Nebraska), Tuesday, March 26, 1907
Samuel Dresher Is Dead
Father of Large Family, Stricken with Pneumonia, Dies Suddenly at an Advanced Age.
After an illness of only a few days Samuel Dresher died suddenly Monday morning at 8:15 at St. Joseph's hospital. Mr. Dresher was taken ill early last week and quickly developed pneumonia, together with complications of other diseases, which, on account of his advanced age, soon caused the end. When his condition became serious he was removed from his residence, 2522 Jones street, to the hospital, and several of his sons were there with him when death came.
Mr. Dresher was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1844, his parents being of the old Pennsylvania Dutch stock. In 1870 he married Helen Maurey of Lock Haven, Pa., moving to western Iowa in 1877. Since that time he has been engaged in various lines of business, having operated hotels during the expositions at Chicago, Omaha, Buffalo and Charleston and engaged in the railroad contracting business in New Jersey. At the time of his death he was in the contracting and building business in Omaha and had recently completed a number of fine homes, one of which was his own residence.
In every undertaking he was noted for his square dealing, his strict adherence to the principles of the golden rule often being the cause of monetary loss to him.
Mr. Dresher is survived by his wife and six children, A. V. Dresher, in the tailoring business; Charles, manager of the Council Bluffs branch of the same business and Samuel, manager of the Lincoln branch; J. D., with the Omaha store; Louise and Elsie.
Besides the immediate family he leaves three brothers and two sisters, Charles of Bedford, Ia.; Albert, a physician in Denver; George, a railroad contractor in Philadelphia, Pa.; Mrs. Hanna Crotzer of Red Bluff, Cal., and Mrs. Mary Stroup of Benkleman.
The funeral probably will be held Wednesday but arrangements will not be completed until more of the family has been heard from.

[Edmund Martin]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    November 21, 1912    [p. 1]

Edmund Martin Dies Suddenly

Shortly after noon Saturday Edmund Martin fell unconscious upon the street in front of Clark's theatre.  Several persons standing near saw him fall and rushed to his assistance.  He was immediately carried into Dr. Standley's office but life was extinct, he having apparently died instantly.  He had been in the restaurant in the theatre building and was eating his dinner, when he suddenly arose from the table, and went outside and was stricken just as he reached the walk.  Deceased had been in his usual health and for a man of his age was quite active, which made his sudden demise the greatest surprise and shock to his friends.  He had been busy about his home all morning and apparently feeling as well as usual.   Mr. Martin was one of the very few old settlers of the town, having been here since shortly after the war and has seen the town develop from almost nothing to its present size and importance.  While he has been out of active business for a number of years he took a lively interest in all of the town's activities and his presence will be missed by all of the older citizens.

Edmund Martin was born Dec. 9, 1831, in Brown County, Ohio.  On Nov. 8, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Bailey.  To this union no children were born but in their home two orphans found loving hands to care for them.  The boy and girl grew to manhood and womanhood as members of the family and revere the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Martin.  Mrs. Martin, after a lingering illness, passed away April 16, 1904.  Mr. Martin continued to make his home with his adopted son, Mr. Chas. Martin.

The deceased was one of the old settlers of Bedford, having come to this place in Nov. 1868.  At the age of 21 he became a member of the Masonic order and was an active worker in that body for many years.  For a long time he was engaged in business in Bedford.

Death came very suddenly and without much warning he came to the parting of his ways, Nov. 16th.

The funeral was held at the home of Chas. Martin, Nov. 17th, Rev. J. A. Currie conducting the service.  The Masonic order had charge of the burial.  The interment was made in Fairview cemetery.