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

[Propst, Adam]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     October 17, 1895     p. 4

Adam Propst Dead

In the death of Adam Propst, who died at his home in Platteville, on Thursday, Sept. 10th, 1895, the county looses another of its early settlers and a highly respected citizen.

Adam Propst was a native of West Virginia and came to Taylor county in 1861, and has since, up to the time of his death, been recognized as one of the industrious pioneer settlers who have made Taylor one of the wealthiest counties in Iowa. He had been a member of the Missionary Baptist church since 1856, and died in the full faith that a reward awaits the faithful. The funeral services were held at Platteville at 10 o'clock a. m. on last Saturday, conducted by Rev. J. C. Lewis, of the First Baptist church of this city. The deceased was 89 years of age and leaves a brother, Michael Propst, and four children, Mrs. John Evans, of Bedford, Mrs. Thos. King and Mrs Marsh Dennis, of Blockton, and a son, Morgan Propst, living in Nebraska, to mourn his loss,

Robt. Rockwell and Dr. V. R. King, Daniel Propst and wife and Mrs. Thomas McCracken from this city attended the funeral.

[Propst, Amanda Wertz]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday      June 11, 1903      [p. 1]

Death of Mrs. Amanda Propst

Mrs. Amanda [Wertz] Propst was born in Holmes county, Ohio, September 4,1835, and died at her home in Platteville, Iowa, Tuesday morning, June 9, 1903, at 2:30 o'clock, aged 67 years, 9 months and five days.

She came with her parents to Scott county, Iowa, in 1849, and was married to Daniel Propst in 1857. She came with her husband to Taylor County in 1861, but removed to California in the spring of 1862. In 1864 they again moved back to Taylor county, locating at Platteville, where deceased remained until her death.

She was a member of the Baptist church at Blockton, and lived a devoted Christian life. In all her walks through life she made no enemies—everyone was her friend. Although she had no children of her own, her one chief aim in life was caring for others, that all should be happy around her. She was a good wife, a good neighbor, and was always ready to lend a helping hand to aid all in time of trouble. It can be truthfully said that the world has been made better and brighter by her having lived in it.

The funeral services were held at the Platteville church Wednesday, June 10, at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Tandy, of the Baptist church at Blockton, after which the body was laid to rest in the Platteville cemetery.

The bereaved husband and relatives have the sympathy of the entire community.

[Propst, Amanda Wertz]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     June 11, 1903     [p. 1]

Mortuary.

From Tuesday's Daily

Mrs. Amanda Propst, wife of Daniel Propst, died at her home in Platteville yesterday. The funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock p. m.

[Propst, Clyde]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      March 30, 1950     p. 9

CLEARFIELD

Clyde Probst Dies

Clyde Probst [Propst], 71, died at his home in Clearfield, March 23 after a lingering illness. Mr. Probst [Propst] moved to Clearfield in 1948. He is survived by his wife and one son, Fay Probst [Propst] of Creston. The funeral services were held Sunday at the Methodist church in Corning with burial nearby.

[Propst, Daniel]

Blockton News

Thursday      March 28, 1929     p. 4

A. W. and Joe Hayes, of Table Rock, Nebraska, came Friday to attend the funeral of their uncle, Daniel Propst, returning home Monday.

Dr. Waldo E. Propst left Monday for his home in Santa Monica, California, having accompanied the body of his uncle, Daniel Propst, here for burial.

[Propst, Daniel]

Blockton News

Thursday      March 28, 1929     [p. 1]

Obituary

Daniel Propst was born in Highland county, Virginia, Jan. 23, 1835, and died at the home of his nephew, Dr. Waldo E. [merson] Propst, in Santa Monica, California, March 16, 1929, aged 94 years, 1 month and 21 days.

He came with his parents to Iowa in the spring of 1855 and settled in Scott County. He enlisted in the Civil war but was rejected because of physical disabilities. While living in Scott County he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Werts [Wertz]. In 1864 he felt the call of the West and with his ox team crossed the plains to California, requiring four months to make the trip. After spending some time in that state he went to Panama by boat, crossed the isthmus and continued his journey to New York by boat. Returning to Iowa they moved to Taylor County.

He became a member of the Masonic order in Bedford June 3, 1868, transferring his membership and becoming a charter member of Bethany Lodge No. 320, A. F. & A. M., now located at Blockton in 1873. He held the honor of being the first Master of Bethany Lodge. It is said he was the oldest Mason in the state.

While a young man he was converted and joined the Baptist church but after coming to Taylor County he joined the Methodist church and was a faithful worker throughout his active life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Amanda [Wertz] Propst, about twelve years ago, and about two years later he married Celia Wilcox of Connecticut at the home of his brother, M. [organ] Propst, in Geneva, Nebraska, who also preceded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his death, one sister, Mrs. J. M. Dennis, of Blockton, fifteen nieces and nephews, and other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held at the Blockton Methodist church Sunday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. H. Bennett, and interment was made in the Platteville cemetery.

The Masons had charge of the [services] at the grave.

[PROPST, DANIEL]
Blockton News (Blockton, Iowa), Thursday, March 21, 1929
Uncle Daniel Propst Dead
A telegram was received by the J. M. Dennis family Sunday morning announcing the death on Saturday evening of Uncle Daniel Propst at Santa Monica, California, where he is spending the winter with his nephew, Dr. Waldo E. Propst. The deceased was a brother of Mrs. J. M. Dennis.
We understand Uncle Dan, who was 94 or 95 years of age, had been enjoying his usual good health during the winter and we learn that he fell on Monday before his death and fractured his hip bone.
The body, accompanied by Dr. Propst, is expected to arrive here Saturday morning. Unless plans are later changed the funeral services will be held at the Blockton Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in the Platteville cemetery. The Masons will have charge of ceremonies.

[Propst, Daniel Michael]

Blockton News

Thursday     April 30, 1914     [p. 1]

Daniel M. Propst Dead

Daniel M. [ichael] Propst died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. [ason] P.[rentis] Putnam, Sunday morning at 8 o'clock. Funeral services were held at the Baptist church at 10:30 this morning, conducted by Rev. J. W. Neyman. Interment was made in the cemetery at Platteville. Mr. Propst has been in very poor health since the death of Mrs. Propst a few months ago and for the last few weeks has failed rapidly. He has spent his time at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Stephenson, at New Market, and with Mrs. J. [ason] P. [rentis] Putnam, west of town. ---Bedford Free Press

[Propst, Daniel Michael]

Blockton News

Thursday      May 7, 1914     p. 8

Obituary

Daniel M. [ichael] Propst was born in Pendleton County, Virginia, April 10th, 1839, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. [ason] P. [rentis] Putnam, near Bedford, Sunday, April 26th, 1914, aged 75 years and 16 days.

Mr. Propst spent his early youth in Virginia. He moved with his parents to Scott county, Iowa, in 1856,where he lived two years on a farm in the vicinity of Davenport. In 1858 they moved to Taylor County, locating on a farm about two and one-half miles northwest of Platteville.

Deceased was married to Miss Mary Burnside in 1870 at Platteville. To their union four children were born, one daughter, together with his wife, preceding him to the better world. The children remaining are Mrs. Putnam and Mrs. S.[amuel] J. Harley, of Bedford, and Mrs. Stephenson, of New Market. He also had two sisters living, Mary Propst, of Bedford, and Mrs. W. B. Starke, of Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Propst left the farm about twenty-seven years ago and moved to Bedford which place was his home until his death. He was a member of the Baptist church, having united with that denomination about thirty-five years ago. He was a good Christian man and was devoted to his family, friends and church. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, which order he loved next to his church.

H e was a great lover of hunting and fishing. Two years of his young manhood were spent as a companion of Col. W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and he started one time to accompany him across the plains but was called back by his father before he reached the Colorado line.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist church in Bedford Tuesday, April 28th, at 10:30 o'clock. Interment took place in the Platteville cemetery, the home burial ground, where he was placed beside his departed wife and daughter.

[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Bedford Times-Republican, April 30, 1914, page 3 and the Bedford Free Press, May 5, 1914, page 7.]

[Propst, Hannah Snyder]

Obituary

Death of Mrs. Hannah Propst

Mrs. Hannah Propst died on Friday, April 1st, at her residence near Platteville, Taylor County, Iowa. She was born November 9th, 1811, and was, at the time of her death, seventy-five years, four months and twenty-two days old. She was married to Michael Propst on the 4th of April 1837, and professed religion in early life, uniting with the Lutheran church. In 1863 she united with the Baptist church and was baptised, with a number of others, in a revival I held there twenty-four years ago. She has been from early life a devoted and consistent Christian, and was a faithful wife and mother, beloved till death by all who knew her. She died in triumph of faith in Christ and has gone to rest with all the faithful. I preached her funeral sermon on last Saturday afternoon at Platteville from the text, “ Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,” Rev. XIV, 13, to one of the largest congregations assembled there in many years, who came to pay the last tribute of respect to the aged mother and the bereaved family so highly respected in the community where they have lived for many years. She leaves a husband, aged about seventy-five years, four children and a number of grandchildren, with many relatives and friends to mourn a loss which is her gain.

James M. Smith

[Note: Undated newspaper clipping.  Name of newspaper not known.]

[Propst, Mary]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     February 14, 1935    p. 4

Miss Mary Propst Dies Sunday Morn.

Miss Mary Propst, 88, a resident of Bedford for many years, died at the home of her niece, Mrs. W. R. Rice near New Market, Sunday morning. The funeral services were held at the Baptist church in New Market Tuesday afternoon conducted by Rev. C. K. Shackleford. Burial was in the Fairview cemetery at Bedford.

Miss Propst was born in West Virginia, Dec. 6, 1846, coming to Bedford, Iowa, when but a child, and making this community her home since that time. She had been a member of the Baptist church for seventy-five years.

For the past twenty years she had made her home with her niece, Mrs. W. R. Rice. She was the last of her immediate family, the father, mother, brothers and sisters, having preceded her in death. Miss Propst was an aunt of Mrs. S.[amuel] J. Harley and Mrs. J. [ason] P. [rentis] Putnam of Bedford. There are also several other relatives in the state.

[Propst, Mary Burnside]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     September 25, 1913     p. 5

Mrs. D. M. Propst

Mrs. D. [aniel] M. [ichael] Propst died at her home in Bedford, Tuesday evening, September 23, aged 79 years, leaving her husband and three daughters to mourn her death.

Funeral services were held at the home Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by Dr. J. W. Neyman, pastor of the Baptist church, which denomination she had been a member of for many years. Interment took place at the Platteville cemetery.

Mrs. Propst's maiden name was Mary Burnside and she was born in Logan County, Ohio. She moved to Scott county, Iowa, when but a small girl and located near Davenport. She lived at the above place until the early sixties when she came to Taylor County with her father and family, her mother having died when she was quite young. They located near Old Lexington, then a thriving little village located about four miles north of Bedford. It was here she met and married Daniel M. [ichael] Propst. To this union four children were born, one daughter, Elsie, having preceded her mother to the better world.  The other daughters are Mrs. Alta Putnam, Mrs. Stella Harley, both of Bedford and Mrs. W. G. Stephenson of New Market.

Mrs. Propst had been a sufferer for several years, having been afflicted with rheumatism in its worst form.

[Note: The same obituary was printed in the Bedford Free Press, September 30, 1913, page 3.]

[PROPST, MARY BURNSIDE]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Tuesday, September 30, 1913
NEW MARKET – Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Stephenson were called to Bedford last week on account of the death of Mrs. Stephenson's mother, Mrs. D. M. Propst.
W. G. Stephenson was in the city from New Market Thursday attending the funeral of Mrs. Propst.

[Propst, Michael]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday     March 24, 1904    [p. 1]

AS SHEAF OF RIPENING GRAIN

Michael Propst, One of the Old Settlers, Departs this Life, Leaving an Enviable Record Behind Him.

A life that was unique in itself passed from among us to his home on high last Saturday afternoon at 4:15 — Michael Propst.

He was born in Pendleton county, W. Virginia, on August 18,1812.

In 1837 he was married to Miss Hannah Snyder and to this union six children were born. Three have preceded the father through the "valley of shadows " Those that remain are Daniel, Miss Mary Propst, of Bedford and Mrs. W. B. Starke, of Blockton, Ia. All his children were with him in his last sickness and lovingly ministered to his every want. Special mention should be made of Mary who has so loyally stood by her father through the years since the mother's death, 16 years ago. Mr. Propst was among the pioneers of this community having come to Bedford some 45 years ago, living an honest and industrious life. Honesty was a sterling quality in his character. Nothing could induce him to enter even in the smallest degree of anything that was dishonest or wrong. He was a man of great muscular as well as moral strength, and in his prime was said to be able to accomplish nearly as much as two ordinary men. He was strictly temperate in his habits, which largely accounts for his good physical condition for so many years.

He was also a truly godly man. Years ago he experienced religion and united with the Baptist church, and has ever since honored his profession by a Godly walk and chaste conversation. The last few years his rheumatic trouble prevented him from frequenting the house of God, as he desired.

The funeral took place at the Bedford Baptist church on Monday, March 21, at 10 a. m. This early hour was chosen on account of the long distance to the place of interment at Platteville cemetery, where deceased was laid to rest by the side of his wife. Considering the threatening weather and muddy roads the attendance was exceptionally large. The attendance at Platteville was also a large one.

The text for the occasion was taken from Job-V-26. "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, 'like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." These words seemed very appropriate for a life that had spanned almost a century of time. The floral offerings were appropriate as well as beautiful.

The hymns and singing were in keeping with the occasion. It is not amiss to say that the kindness of neighbors and friends is greatly appreciated by the family and relatives of the deceased.

The pallbearers were J. J. Evans, John Derrickson, W. D. Blakemore, Alex John, David Van Reenan and W. F. Evans.

[Propst, Michael]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday     March 24, 1904      p. 2

MICHAEL PROPST IS DEAD

After a Lingering Illness From Paralysis An Early Settler of Iowa Goes to His Eternal Home

From Monday’s Daily

Michael Propst, an early settler of Taylor county, passed quietly away at his home in this city Saturday afternoon at 4:15, It may be said that Mr. Propst died of old age, as he had passed the four score and ten mark, being 91 years, 7 months and 2 days of age at the time of his death. For a long time Mr. Propst had been in a sinking condition, gradually becoming weaker until the end. He was afflicted with paralysis.

Michael Propst was a man of wide acquaintance and many friends, a familiar character in our city, and one whose taking away leaves a final impression upon his old associates as a marking of time. He was born August 17, 1812, in Pendleton county, West Virginia. In 1837 he was married to Miss Hannah Snyder, who has preceded him to the heavenly shore. He came to Taylor County in 1859, and is remembered as one of the staunch supporters of our country during the time of the civil strife when the north was pitted against the south. For 45 years Mr. Propst has lived in Taylor County and has been a familiar figure in her developments. He was the father of six children, three of whom survive him, and were with him at the time of his death. They are Daniel and Mary Propst of Bedford and Mrs. W. B. Starke, of Blockton.

The funeral services were conducted this morning from the Baptist church by the Rev. Griffith. In spite of the weather, it was one of the largest funerals Bedford has over witnessed; a fitting memorial to the memory of an aged citizen. The Baptist choir sang in sweet and sympathetic strains. The remarks of the Rev. Griffith were particularly appropriate and full of comfort to Christian souls.

Directly after the service the procession took up its long and difficult journey to Platteville cemetery, where the remains were buried beside those of his companion in life who has gone on before.

Few men are permitted to live to the grand old age of four score and ten. Such a life is in itself a tribute to the man who lives it. Mr. Propst was a man by the standard of which we measure real manhood---noble, true, patriotic and Christian. The world is in need of such men.

[Propst, Morgan]

Bedford Times-Republican

Thursday      October 21, 1915     p. 3

Word has been received here of the death of Dr. Morgan Propst, which occurred at Geneva, Neb., last week. Mr. Propst is a brother of Mrs. Hannah Evans and is well known in Bedford, having spent the winters here for several years.

[Propst, Morgan]

Blockton News

Thursday     October 14, 1915     p. 6

Uncle Dan Propst left Saturday afternoon for Geneva, Nebraska, called there by the death of his brother, Dr. Morgan Propst, who passed away Friday at the home of his son, Waldo, with whom he was making his home.

[Propst, Morgan]

Blockton News

Thursday     October 14, 1915     p. 10

Mrs. J. M. Dennis returned home Thursday from a several days' visit with her sister, Mrs. Silas Hayes, at Table Rock, Nebraska. She received a message Saturday announcing the death of her brother, Dr. Morgan Propst, at Geneva, Nebraska, but was not able to make the trip to attend the funeral.

[Propst, Morgan]

Blockton News

Thursday     October 28, 1915     p. 4

Uncle Daniel Propst returned Saturday afternoon from Geneva, Nebraska, where he was called some two weeks before by the death of his brother, Dr. Morgan Propst.

[PROPST, MORGAN]
Nebraska State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska), Tuesday, October 12, 1915
GENEVA, Oct. 11 – Dr. M. [organ] Propst died at the home of his son, Clyde, Saturday at 3 a. m. The doctor gave up active practice several years ago on account of poor health.

[PROPST, MORGAN]
Nebraska Signal (Geneva, Nebraska), October 1915
DEATH OF DR. MORGAN PROPST
Dr. Morgan Propst died at the home of his son, Clyde in Geneva, Neb., Saturday, October 9, 1915, aged 65 years, 5 months, and 9 days.
Morgan Propst was born in Highland county, West Virginia, May 1, 1850. When a boy he removed with his parents to Scott county, Iowa, later going to Taylor county in the same state. For a number of years, he followed the blacksmith trade, quitting it to begin the study of medicine. He attended the Keokuk, Ia., medical college, and after graduating removed to Geneva, Neb., in 1884, where he practiced medicine until about five years ago when he retired on account of failing health.
Dr. Propst was married in 1871, to Miss Mary King. Mrs. Propst died in September 1903. Three sons were born to this union, Dr. W. [aldo] E. [merson] Propst and Clyde Propst of Geneva and Carl Propst of Ong. He is survived by one brother, Dan Propst of Blockton, Ia., and three sisters.
Dr. Propst was a member of the Masonic order, and the Knights of Pythias. He had been a Mason forty-four years, having been made a Mason by his brother, Dan Propst, at Platteville, Ia. Mr. Propst was immersed and united with the Baptist church in Iowa when a young man.
Dr. Propst served ten years on the Geneva city council. He also served a number of years on the pension board and many old soldiers will always remember his service for them.
The funeral was held at the Methodist church at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. W. L. Austin. The Masonic lodge attended in a body and conducted the Masonic service at the grave.