[Blake, Cora Mae Greenlee]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       November 13, 1975     [p. 1]

Mrs. Dot Blake, 86 Final Rites Held November 12

Funeral services for Mrs. Dot (Cora) Blake, 86, long time Bedford resident, were held Wed., Nov. 12, at 2 p.m., at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford with Rev. Ollie Odle officiating. Mrs. Blake died in an Atlantic Hospital November 6. Interment was at Bedford Cemetery.

She was the daughter of Charles and Sylvia [Hinshaw] Greenlee, and was married to Dot Blake in Bedford in 1908.

She was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, her parents, six sisters and one brother.

She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Walter (Eula) Emery of California; a son, Charles, of Atlantic; three grandsons; great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Fern Hatfield of Clarinda and Mrs. Jennie Adams of Yucaipa, Calif.

[Blake, Cora Mae Greenlee]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday       November 20, 1975      p. 6

Last Rites Held November 12 for Mrs. Dot Blake

Funeral services for Mrs. Dot (Cora) Blake, 86, long time Bedford resident, held November 12 at Shum-Novinger Funeral Home in Bedford, were conducted by Rev. Ollie Odle. Mrs. Blake died November 6 in an Atlantic Hospital. Interment was at Bedford Cemetery.

Cora Mae Blake, daughter of Charles [Austin] and Sylvia [Hinshaw] Greenlee, was born at Clearfield, Iowa on February 25, 1889. She lived in Bedford and grew to maturity in Clearfield and Bedford community where she attended the Bedford schools and the Bedford Baptist Church.

In 1908 she was united in marriage to Dot W. Blake at Bedford and to this union two children were born.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one daughter, four sisters and one brother.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, one daughter, Mrs. Eula Emery, and her husband, Walter, of Yucaipa, California; one son, Charles, and his wife, Wilma, of Atlantic, Iowa; two sisters, Jennie Adams, Yucaipa, California, Fern Hatfield, Clarinda, Ia.; three grandchildren; six great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

After her husband's death in 1962 she continued to live in Yucaipa, California until 1970 when she was placed in a nursing home in Atlantic, Iowa.

During her younger years she was active in the Bedford Rebekah Lodge and the Bedford Baptist Church.

She was a kind and considerate mother and friend and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

[Blake, Ray Clarence]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      August 9, 1984     p. 6

Ray Blake burial was Saturday

Graveside services for Ray Clarence Blake, 73, were held at Bedford Cemetery, August 4, conducted by Rev. Carl Cummings. Mr. Blake died July 30, 1984.

Ray Clarence Blake, son of John M. [ilton] Blake and Clara A. [melia] Wilson Blake, was born in Clayton Township, Taylor County Iowa, January 29, 1911 and grew to maturity in Taylor County. He lived in Bedford most of his life. He attended the public school and was graduated from Bedford High School in 1931.

On September 3, 1932 he was united in marriage to Ruth Mae Hamilton at Troy, Kansas and they resided in the Bedford area where he was self employed most of his life as a painter, carpenter, shoe store owner and farmer.

Three children were born to this union: Charles Ray, Carol Mae and Mary Loanne.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ruth who died Feb. 9, 1984, a brother Jacob Blake and a sister, Anne.

Left to cherish his memory are the three children Charles Ray Blake, Carol Mae Akers and Mary Loanne Sickels; two sisters, June Enich and Ruth Huizinga and three brothers, Charles, Ike and John; 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

He was a member of the Lions Club.

His family and friends will remember him as a kind and considerate husband and father and he will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

[Dowlin, Crawford]

Tuesday     February 27, 1917     p. 4

Crawford Dowlin.

Crawford Dowlin was born in Green County, Pa., Feb. 18, 1826, departed this life in Bedford, Ia., Feb. 23, 1917.

Deceased had weakened under the weight of years for some time and for two or three weeks past has suffered rather acutely. He was 91 years and 6 days of age.

On Dec. 15, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Morris of Green County, Pa. In July 1868, they moved to Bedford, making this their home to the time of her death last April. Their married life covered a period of over 65 years. The present residence of the deceased was their home continuously for forty-nine years.

A sister, Mrs. Jane Baker, Green County, Pa., survives him. The relatives near here are nieces and nephews, Mrs. S. [amuel] D. [avid] Maxwell [Mary Jane Dowlin], Mrs. M. [ichael] Mann [Samantha Dowlin], and E. [llis] C. [layton] Dowlin of Bedford, Lee Driver, St. Joseph, Mo.; Cal, Gwyn and Dave Driver of the vicinity of Blockton, Iowa.

[DOWLIN, CRAWFORD]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, March 1, 1917
J. G. Dowlin and daughter, Gladys, and D. R. Dowlin and son, Bruce, living on the State Road, attended the funeral of their uncle, Crawford Dowlin, at Bedford Sunday. The deceased was upward of 91 years of age and had been a resident of the state for perhaps half a century.
J. C. Driver and son, James, attended the funeral of his uncle, Crawford Dowlin, at Bedford Sunday. J. L. Driver, of St. Joseph, also attended the funeral service.

DOWLIN, CRAWFORD]            [WOODROW, SARAH ELIZABETH TAYLOR]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, March 1, 1917
Nonagenarian Answers Call
Crawford Dowlin and Sarah Woodrow Dead
Had Passed 90 Year Mark—Latter Was Eighty-Eight—Buried at Malvern.
Sarah Woodrow died on Saturday evening following a ten days illness caused by infirmities of old age.
Deceased was born in Ohio, October 18, 1829, being almost 88 years of age at the time of her death. Her husband died several years ago and was buried at Malvern, where her remains were taken Monday for interment, a funeral service being first held from the home at 4 p. m.
__________________________________________________________________________
Crawford Dowlin, a nonagenarian resident of Bedford since 1868, died at the home on Friday following a three weeks illness of acute suffering. The deceased had been ailing for some time from infirmities attendant upon his advanced years being 91 years and 6 days of age at the time of death, but his condition did not become serious until a short time before his demise.
Crawford Dowlin was born in Green[e] county, Pa., February 18, 1826. On Dec. 15, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth M. Morris of Green[e] county, Pa. In July [1868], they moved to Bedford, making this their home to the time of her death last April. Their married life covered a period of over 65 years. The present residence of the deceased was their home continuously for forty nine years.
A sister, Mrs. Jane Baker, Green[e] county, Pa., survives him. The relatives near here are nieces and nephews, Mrs. S. [amuel] D. [avid] Maxwell, Mrs. M. [ichael] Mann and E. [llis] C. [layton] Dowlin of Bedford, Lee Driver, St. Joseph, Mo.; Cal, Gwyn and Dave Driver of the vicinity of Blockton, Iowa.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 from the First Baptist church. Rev. C. C. Hatcher officiating. Interment was made in the Bedford cemetery.

[Howe, Jemima]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 24, 1904      p. 4

Mrs. Howe [Jemima], Jack Howe's mother died in St. Joe last week at 114 years of age.

[Howe, John “Jack”, Sr.]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     December 16, 1915     [p. 1]

JACK HOWE OLD SLAVE DIES AT HOME OF SON

Friends Believe Him About 90 Years of Age—Mother Died at 112  Years

_________________________

Funeral To Be HELD SUNDAY

Lived in Taylor County Since the Civil War—Served in Conflict Near Vicksburg

Jack Howe died at 2 o'clock this morning at the home of his son, John Howe, in Bedford. When he was sufficiently recovered from his illness in Gravity to be moved, he was brought to Bedford. Funeral services will be held at the First Methodist Episcopal church at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. W. Goodsell.

Born in slavery, Jack Howe did not have the advantages of education afforded his race in these times, and even if he knew, he could not make records of the important events of his life. Nothing is certain about his age, except that he was close to 90 years old. He was born in Savannah, Mo., and was owned by Jack Davis. Joe Davis, a son of his master, now lives at Bolckow. His mother died about five years ago at the age of 112 years.

Gets Across the Border.

During the war a detachment of the confederate army went to the Davis place and was going to take the slaves away for safer keeping. Jack was sent to the stable to take care of a horse belonging to the army, but instead of going to the barn, he made his escape. With some other Negroes he came across the Iowa line and soon after that he entered the Union army as a hundred day man, but served a much longer time.

When the war was over he came back to Taylor County. He was on a farm in Holt township a while and later on the R. A. Taylor farm, coming thence to Bedford, where he had since resided, being a well known figure of the community.

Jack was a credit to his race. Though he was unable to read, he was a persistent seeker after knowledge. No one in the community took a keener interest in the war than Jack Howe, and daily he sought to have his friends post him either from their own information or by reading the press reports.

Republicanism His Religion

His hunger for information as to political events was unceasing. His republicanism was almost a religion with him. It was with greatest contempt that he referred to "democrat niggers." He had no particular fault to find with white folks adhering to the Democratic Party, but how a colored man could do it was beyond his conception. He would vote for no democrat for a public office, even in such non-partisan affairs as school and municipal elections.

No republican ever delivered a political address in Bedford, who did not meet Jack Howe, and upon the occasion of some telling point, hear a cheer that tested the capacity of his lungs. Everybody in Bedford would know it was Jack, but unless the speaker had been posted, it would be something of a surprise.

Jack was a regular attendant at the sessions of the district court, and the attorneys usually consulted him as to the result of trials that were being held before juries. He was free to make predictions, and the remarkable thing about them was the number of times he would have it right.

The war service Jack Howe performed was for the most part in the vicinity of Vicksburg. When he was mustered out he returned to Iowa and married Miss Annie Logan. They were the parents of three children, Joe Howe of Clarinda, Mrs. Emma Johnson of Gravity, and John Howe of Bedford.

[Howe, John “Jack”, Sr.]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday     December 21, 1915      p. 5

OBITUARY.

Jack Howe.

Jack Howe, commonly known to Bedford people as Uncle Jack, died at the home of his son John, Thursday morning at 2 o'clock. Funeral services were held at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. J. W. Goodsell. John Webb, Chares Beall, Ren Fuller, Rod Vickery, Charles Johnston and H. M. Long acted as pallbearers.

Mr. Howe was born in slavery, in the state of Virginia, about the year 1827, and was moved, when a small boy, by his then owner, Mr. Fleming Davis, to Andrew county, Mo. While in slavery he was married to Emily Logan of Savannah, Mo., to whom seven children were born, five boys and two girls.

In April 1862, a detachment of the confederate army went to the Davis place, in Andrew County, to take the slaves away for safekeeping. Mr. Howe was sent to the stable to take care of a horse belonging to the party and made his escape, soon after which, he and his wife and two daughters, which they then had, made their way north to Taylor county, stopping at Old Lexington, in Clayton township, where he farmed for Robert A. Taylor, until 1863, when he enlisted in Company "K" 55th Regiment, U. S. colored Vol. Infantry. His wife and two daughters remaining on the Taylor farm while Mr. Howe was in the army.

After the war he returned to Taylor County and soon after moved from Lexington to a farm in Holt Township, where he resided until his wife's death, he remaining on the farm for some years and sending his children to school. Later he removed to Bedford, where he resided until his death, which took place at the home of his son, John Howe, December 15th, 1915.

He was first taken sick November 9, in a week or ten days he seemed to be recovering and his friends thought he would soon be out again, but after going over to his daughter's, Mrs. Emma Johnson, at Gravity, Iowa, he had a stroke of paralysis and then all hopes of his recovery were given up. He is survived by three of his seven children, Joe Howe of Clarinda, Ia.; Mrs. Emma Johnson of Gravity, Ia., and John Howe of Bedford. His oldest son, Willis Howe, was a soldier in the regular army, doing service in the Philippines, where he died at Manila in 1912; besides the above there are ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; also three sisters, Mrs. Phyllis Myers, of St. Joseph, Mo.; Mrs. Mona Balou of the same city and Mrs. Ellen Parker of Atchison, Kan., of the three sisters only one was able to be present at the funeral, Mrs. Myers.

Uncle Jack, as he was familiarly known, though without educational advantages, was a persistent seeker after knowledge. He took keen interest in all public affairs and his knowledge of current events was far above the average.

After a residence of more than half a century in this county, he died with the respect of the entire community.

His mother, Jemima Howe, died ten years ago at the remarkable age of 114 years.

[HOWE, JOHN "JACK," SR.]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa,) Thursday, January 13, 1916
Passing of the Slave
Charles D. Hellen, who visits Bedford frequently and thereby became well acquainted with Jack Howe, made his death the subject of an article on "The Passing of the Slave," published in the Des Moines Register, accompanied by Uncle Jack's portrait. The article follows:
There passed to his last rest, at the home of his son in Bedford, Ia., a few days ago, Jack Howe, about ninety years old, as near as can be calculated by the surviving members of his family. His skin was black but he possessed a soul as white and as big a heart as ever inhabited a tenement of clay.
The death of this humble Negro might pass unnoticed were it not for two distinguishing features which appealed to the writer out of the ordinary and deserving of public mention, namely: Jack Howe was perhaps not only the best known character in southwestern Iowa, respected and loved by all, but his death calls to public attention the final chapter of history in this country—which is perhaps the blackest page recorded—at the close of which the Great Emancipator struck the shackles from two million slaves.
Jack Howe was born in slavery in the state of Missouri and was subject to the master's lash until he was about 35 years of age. At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, he ran away from the plantation and came across into Iowa where he enlisted in the union army and served faithfully till the close of the war. After receiving his discharge he came to Bedford, where for over fifty years he was the same courteous and affable character which the early training of most of his kind had made him. At his death his government was rewarding him for his service with a pension sufficient for his comfort in the decline and shadow of his life.
He left two sons and one daughter, all born after he became a free man. One son was a soldier in the regular army for years and was a member of the famous colored regiment which saved the slaughter of Colonel Roosevelt's Rough Riders by their timely arrival at the battle of El Caney in Cuba during the Spanish-American war. He afterwards went with his regiment to the Philippines and died there following a long illness.
The death of Jack Howe reminds us of the rapidly thinning ranks of the American slave. Ever since this country has been a union of states we had our war veterans from those who fought in the revolution till the heroes of the brief war with Spain. But when the last former slave shall have answered final summons we shall never look upon his like again. The slave will become only a dark page in history. The youngest colored man born in slavery is now past the meridian of life, while those who really served at maturity under the old master are now in the shadow of life and their ranks are becoming rapidly depleted with each succeeding year.
Those still remaining are a distinct type of the colored race today—courteous, genteel and faithful in every duty placed upon them—and loyalty itself to those who deserve their friendship.
Life's sun is descending low, and night is coming on for the American slave and Jack Howe's death is being re-enacted almost daily in every state in the union. It is the passing of the slave and is the last sad chapter in the one great blot on American history, wiped out by the blood of the volunteer soldier in the great war of the rebellion.
[Note: The original article, with photograph, was published in the Des Moines Register, December 28, 1915.]

[Howe, Jack]

Times-Republican

Thursday    December 23, 1915    [p. 4]

Howe Funeral

Funeral services over the remains of Jack Howe were held at 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon at the First Methodist church, conducted by Rev. Joe W. Goodsell, the pastor.  Many years ago Uncle Jack named several men, among white folks who had befriended him, for his pallbearers, and they are included in the following list who served:  Ren H. Fuller, R. Vickery, H. M. Long, C. M. Johnston, Charles Beall, John Webb.

More definite information relative to the life of Jack Howe revealed the fact that he was born in Virginia instead of Savannah, Mo., and was married before he came to Taylor County, the information received by this paper last week having been erroneous.

[Howe, Joseph “Joe”, Sr.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     Sept. 29, 1938     p. 5

OBITUARY

Joe Howe

Joe Howe, colored, was born in Andrew County, Mo., Feb. 2, 1862, and died at his home in Clarinda Monday, Sept. 19, 1938, at the age of 76 years.

He moved to Iowa with his parents when a small boy. He was reared on a farm in Holt County [Township] and attended a country school until his father moved to Bedford, to educate his children and there he remained until a man. Then [he] went to Clarinda and was married to Anna Lewis. Three children were born to them. In later years he moved on a farm and resided there five years. During that time he lost his wife and was compelled to move back to Clarinda to educate his children, Florence, Lorene and Joe.

He was married to Mrs. Sarah J. Whiteside to which one child was born, Jessie. He resided in Clarinda 50 or more years.

He leaves to mourn his loss, a wife, Mrs. Sarah J. Howe, Cedar Rapids; three daughters Florence Howe, Omaha, Mrs. Robert Franklin, Clarinda, Mrs. J. H. Benjamin, Savannah, Ga., grandson Bobbie Franklin, Clarinda, son-in-law, Robert Franklin, Clarinda; his only sister, Mrs. Emma Bomar, Des Moines, brother-in-law, David Bomar; two brothers, John Howe, Kansas City, Ebert Howe and wife, Des Moines.

His wife, Anna Lewis Howe, son, Joseph Howe Jr., father, John Howe Sr., mother, Emma Howe, brother, Willis Howe, half sister, Anna Ward, have preceded him in death.

The funeral services were held Thursday afternoon in charge of Rev. B. F. Moses, pastor of the A. M. E. Church of Clarinda. Burial was in Clarinda cemetery.

[Howe, Willis]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    October 20, 1910    [p. 1]

Willis Howe Dead

Willis Howe, son of "Jack" Howe, of this city, died at Manilla, P. I, August 22, and the news was just received in this city by his father. He was born in Andrew County, Mo., but was reared in this city. He enlisted in Co. G, 24th U. S. Infantry, and served heroically through the Spanish war. He was seriously wounded while in action there and was honorably discharged. He leaves a wife, aeida [aside?] from a father and three brothers, to mourn his death.

[McCoun, Ruth Ella Perdew]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      August 9, 1984     p. 6

Ruth Perdew McCoun burial in Bedford

Ruth E. [lla] Purdew McCoun, 91, died July 6, 1984.

She was born and raised in Taylor County, Iowa. She was married to Arch B.[eryl] McCoun of Bedford and raised one daughter M. Kathleen McCoun Noble. She is survived by her son-in-law, five grandchildren and two great granddaughters.

She will be buried beside her husband in the old Bedford Cemetery.

[McKee, Gary Dean]

Lenox Time Table

Wednesday      January 15, 1997      p. 5

GARY DEAN MCKEE

Funeral services for Gary McKee were held January 10 at the Lenox United Methodist Church with Pastor Audrey Westendorf officiating.

Music was taped selections: "Go Rest High on That Mountain" by Vince Gill and "Walk Through this World with Me" by George Jones.

Casket Bearers were Dick Dalton, Rick Nelson, Randy Miller, Phil Johnson, Bill Stevens and Jessie James.

Honorary Bearers were Gail Matheny, Lanny Douglas, Larry Cordell, Larry Schrader, Billy C. Reed, Steve John, Jim Bender, Dave Bell and Jack Rusco.

Gary Dean McKee the son of Lynn and Irma Burk McKee was born November 15, 1937 in Bedford, Iowa, and entered into rest at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 59 years 1 month and 21 days.

He grew up in Bedford and when in High School excelled at sports. He lettered all four years in football, earning him a scholarship at Northwest Missouri State.

On November 18, 1956 he was united in marriage with Karen [Kay] Spoonemore at the Baptist Church in Bedford, Iowa; this union was blessed with the birth of two children, Toni Kay and Stoney Dean McKee.

Gary was a member of the Iowa National Guard from 1954 to 1956. He then served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958 in California and Okinawa, Japan. Upon his discharge from the Marines he was employed with Tote Manufacturing, J.T.I. Manufacturing and Dalton AG until the time of his death.

He was a member of the Lion's Club, The American Legion and a 40-year member of the Lenox Stock and Saddle Club.

Surviving to honor his memory are his mother Irma McKee of Lenox, wife Karen McKee of Lenox, son Stoney McKee of Lenox, daughter Toni Will of Lenox, special friend Melody Haidsiak of Lenox, four grandchildren: Jayme Williams of Kansas City, Missouri, Tierra McKee, Mitchell McKee and Ely Will of Lenox.

Preceding him in death are his father Lynn McKee in 1971 and grandparents Marion and Ida Burk and a sister Karen Swain.

Interment was in the Bedford City Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Lion's Club or the Lenox Stock and Saddle Club.

Larkin and Shelley Funeral Home of Lenox was in charge of the arrangements.

[McKee, Irma Olga Burk]

Clearfield Chronicle

Wednesday     March 21, 2001     p. 3

Irma McKee

Funeral services for Irma McKee, age 94, of Lenox, who died Monday, March 12, 2001, were held Thursday, March 15, 2001, at 11 a.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox with Pastor Tim Maxa officiating. Interment was held in the Bedford City Cemetery in Bedford. Memorials can be given in her name. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.

Irma Olga McKee was born August 16, 1906, the daughter of Marion Luther Burk and Ida Linnea Swanson Burk in Bedford, Iowa. In 1936 she was united in marriage to Lynn McKee in Bedford.

Irma's working years were spent at various cafes in Bedford. Her later years were spent in Red Oak next door to a brother and most recently in Lenox. Upon the death of her son Gary, Irma became a resident of the Lenox Care Center.

Irma's lifetime was consumed by making an earnest practice to never use verbal opposition or ever be unkind to any one person. Grandchildren were always so important to her. Irma cherished her cooking ability and took great pride in cooking at the various Bedford cafes.

Irma is survived by four grandchildren, Toni, Tammy, James, and Danny; five great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding Irma in death are her parents, Marion and Ida; a son, Gary McKee of Lenox; a daughter, Karen Swaim; a grandson, Stoney McKee of Lenox; and two brothers, Chalon (Ted) and Ivan (Pete) Burk.

[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Lenox Time Table, March 21, 2001, page 2.]

[McKee, Stoney Dean]

Lenox Time Table

Wednesday      August 9, 2000      p. 4

Stoney Dean McKee

Funeral services for Stoney McKee, age 35, of Lenox were held Thursday, August 3, 2000 at 2 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox with Pastor Tim Maxa officiating. Interment was held in the Bedford City Cemetery.

Stoney was born Dec. 21, 1964, in Corning to Gary [Dean] McKee and Karen [Kay] Spoonemore McKee. He passed away Monday, July 31, 2000.

Stoney grew up in the Lenox area and graduated from high school in 1984. He worked various jobs including road construction.

Stoney enjoyed tinkering around. As a child he would buy wrecked bicycles and fix them up; later he did the same with old cars. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycles and especially dirt bikes that he raced. He took great pride in his appearance and was a free spirit who lived life to the fullest.

Stoney is survived by his mother, Karen McKee of Lenox; maternal grandparents, Bud and Lela Spoonemore of Lenox; paternal grandmother Irma McKee of Lenox; his fiancée, Cindy Cordell of Lenox; daughter Tierra McKee of Oskaloosa; son Mitchell McKee of Oskaloosa; sister Toni Will of Lenox; nephews Jayme and Erin Williams of Kansas City, Mo., and Eli Will of Lenox: and his former wife, Lori McKee of Oskaloosa.

Preceding Stoney in death were his paternal grandfather, Lynn McKee; his father, Gary McKee; and an aunt, Karen Swaim.

Memorials can be given in his name.

[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Clearfield Chronicle, August 9, 2000, page 2.]