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

[AMERINE, GEORGE WASHINGTON]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Wednesday, December 20, 1916, [p. 1]
G. W. Amerine Is Dead
Former Villisca Resident Dies at the Home of Daughter in Pacific Jct.
Was More Than 80 Years Old  Remains Brought to Villisca Yesterday—Burial Made at Guss Cemetery.

G. W. Amerine, a former resident of Villisca for years, died last Sunday at about 11:45 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Elmer Savage, of Pacific Junction, Iowa. Death resulted from a number of old age complications.

The deceased was eighty-two years, two months and nine days of age at the time of his death.

George Washington Amerine was born in Perry County, Ohio and lived there until he became a man. While a resident of Ohio he was married to Harriet Hitchcock. The following children from that union survive the deceased: Mrs. Amanda Wilson of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mrs. Elmer Savage of Pacific Junction, Iowa; William Amerine of Atkinson, Nebraska; and John Amerine of seven miles north of Villisca.

Mr. and Mrs. Amerine moved to Coswell County, Illinois after marriage and for seven years made that their home. For about thirty-six or thirty-seven years the deceased had lived in Iowa. For a number of years he was a resident of this city and for several years was engaged in the confectionery business on Lower Third Avenue. He retired from that business more than a year ago and since that time had been making his home with his children.

All of the children with the exception of Mrs. Wilson were at the bedside at the time of his death. Mrs. Wilson arrived in Villisca in time for the funeral services, which were held Tuesday morning at ten o'clock. The remains were brought to Villisca on No. 6 and taken at once to the Advent Christian church, where the services were conducted by S. H. Coleman. The body was interred in the Maple Grove cemetery near Guss.

 

[ARNOLD, ANNA M. WEST]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, May 18, 1905, [p. 1]
Obituary – Arnold
Anna M., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. West, was born near Wilmington, Ohio, January 21, 1829, and died at Guide Rock, Nebraska, May 8, 1905, aged 76 years, 3 months and 21 days. She was married to Bennett B. Arnold at Wilmington, March 18, 1846, and to them seven children were born, three of whom are living. They are: W. W. Arnold, Des Moines; Mrs. E. J. Moore, Guide Rock, Nebraska; and W. E. Arnold, York, Nebraska. Two children died in infancy, Mrs. Alice Harper passed away at San Diego, California, and Frank Arnold at Emporia, Kansas. The husband and father died in Ottawa, Illinois, October 21, 1878.

Mrs. Arnold was a faithful member of the Quaker church since childhood; she was a pure Christian character and lived and died in an undoubting faith. She was a woman of noble mind and qualities and a loving, kind, unselfish mother. Her remains were buried at Guss beside those of her husband and son.

 

[ARTHAUD, ANNAZELLA O'DELL]
Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune (Chillicothe, Missouri), Thursday, March 6, 1941, p. 4
Mrs. Annazella Arthaud passed away about 5 o'clock Friday morning at the home of her son, Frank Arthaud, north of town. Short funeral services were held from the home Sunday morning at 9 o'clock, conducted by Rev. R. V. Heriford. The body was taken overland to Guss, Iowa, by F. L. Smiley and Jim Moulds, where interment was made in the family lot. The relatives who accompanied the body were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arthaud, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Arthaud, Lester Arthaud and Elmer Arthaud.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Harris of northeast of Farmersville attended the funeral of her grandmother, Mrs. Annazella Arthaud, held from the Arthaud home Sunday morning.

 

[ARTHAUD, ANNAZELLA  O'DELL]
Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune (Chillicothe, Missouri), Saturday, March 8, 1941, p. 3
A large crowd of friends and neighbors attended the funeral of Mrs. Annazella Arthaud which was held Sunday morning at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arthaud, where her death occurred Friday. The short services were conducted by Rev. Heriford of the Wheeling Baptist Church. The body was taken overland to Gravity, Ia., for burial, accompanied by the following relatives: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arthaud, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Arthaud, Lester Arthaud and Elmer Arthaud. Mrs. Arthaud, who was 87 years old, was born in Ohio and is survived by four children, a number of grandchildren and other relatives and a host of friends. Some of the relatives attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arthaud of Chillicothe, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Arthaud and family of Trenton, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer Harris and family of Farmersville, Lester Arthaud and son of Kansas, Mrs. Effie Hollis of Iowa.

 

[ARTHAUD, JOHN B.]
Chillicothe Morning Constitution (Chillicothe, Missouri), Thursday, February 29, 1912, [p. 1]
John Arthaud Dies Late Saturday, After A Lingering Illness
John Arthaud, sixty-nine years old, died at his home on East Clay St. late Saturday of a complication of ailments. The decedent had been in failing health for the past seven years but his recent illness was only of a week's duration. No arrangements have been made for the funeral.

The decedent was born in Canada. Nine years ago he came to Livingston County from Iowa and purchased a farm north of Wheeling, where he resided until five years ago, when he moved to this city, where he had since resided.

Besides his widow he is survived by one daughter and three sons. Two brothers, Frank L. and Joseph Arthaud reside in this city.

 

[BROWN, ALBERT E.]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, July 22, 1897, p. 2
Rev. R. E. Harvey was called to Maple Grove last Friday to preach the funeral sermon of Mr. Albert Brown, a very prominent member and leader in the M. E. church at that place.

 

[BROWN, ALBERT E.]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, July 22, 1897, p. 2
Obituary – Albert E. Brown died at his home near Guss, Ia., July 14, 1897. The deceased was born in Page Co., about six miles s. e. of Villisca, June 30, 1862. At the age of 17 he was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he remained a faithful member until his death. March 27, '84, he was united in matrimony to Belle Moats, who with his parents, survives to mourn their loss. His final illness lasted only six days, not appearing to be dangerous until a few hours before the end. When informed that he could not live he said "If it is the Lord's will, I am ready to go" His eyes were marvelously opened to see the beauties of the land beyond which he described to those around him. He spoke to several unconverted friends and sent messages to others, persuading them to meet him in heaven. The funeral services were held at the home, July 16th at 10 a. m. being charge of his pastor and the I. O. O. F. The sermon was preached from Rev. 14, 13. An immense concourse of people followed the remains to the Guss cemetery where they were laid to rest. The sympathies of the entire community go out to the bereaved wife and parents.    R. E. Harvey

[BROWN, ALBERT E.]
Clarinda Herald (Clarinda, Iowa), Tuesday, July 20, 1897
Albert E. Brown died at his home near Guss, Iowa, July14, 1897. The deceased was born in Page county, up near Villisca, January 30, 1862. At the age of 17 he was converted and united with the M. E. church of which he continued a member until his death. On March 27, 1884 he was united in matrimony to Miss Belle Woods, who with his aged parents, still survives him, to mourn their irreparable loss. His final illness lasted only six days, not appearing dangerous until a few hours before the end. When told that he could not live, he replied, "If it is the Lord's will I am ready to go." His eyes were marvelously opened to see the glories of the land beyond, which he described to those around him. He bade farewell to all around him, exhorting them to meet him in heaven; he also sent messages to absent friends to the same effect. The funeral services were held at the home July 16 at 10 a. m., conducted by his pastor and the I. O. O. F. the sermon was preached from Rev. xiv, 13. A large concourse of people followed the casket to the Guss cemetery where the remains were laid to rest. The sympathies of the entire community go out to the bereaved wife and to the parents left childless in their old age.   R. E. Harvey

[BROWN, ALBERT E.]
Clarinda Herald (Clarinda, Iowa), Friday, July 23, 1897
HAWLEYVILLE – Mrs. Rumbaugh and Mrs. Ammons, Miss Alcott and Mrs. Dudley went to Guss last Friday to attend the funeral of Albert Brown. The services were largely attended, friends from long distances being present. Words of deep regret for the early death of this dear brother were heard upon every hand and great sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.

 

[BROWN, ALBERT E.]
Clarinda Herald (Clarinda, Iowa), Friday, July 23, 1897, [p. 1]
Hawleyville
Mrs. Rumbaugh and Mrs. Ammons, Miss Alcott and Mrs. Dudley went to Guss last Friday to attend the funeral of Albert Brown. The services were largely attended, friends from long distances being present. Words of deep regret for the early death of this dear brother were heard upon every hand and great sympathy is felt for the bereaved family.

 

[BROWN, CLARA BELLE MOATS]
Clarinda Herald Journal (Clarinda, Iowa), Monday, July 2, 1945, p. 5
Mrs. Belle Brown – Belle M. Brown, daughter of George and Mrs. C Moats was born in Des Moines County near Danville December 8, 1859 and died near New Market, Iowa, June 25, 1945 at the age of 85 years, six months and 17 days.

In January 1875 she moved with her parents to a farm in Taylor County where Guss now stands. Here she grew to womanhood, being educated in the public schools of Taylor County where she taught school until her marriage to Albert Brown March 27, 1884. This happy union was severed when Mr. Brown died July 14, 1897.

In girlhood she confessed her faith with Christ, uniting with the Methodist church. She became an ardent follower of her Savior.

After the death of her husband she became an Evangelistic singer, assisting various pastors throughout the state in revival meetings.

Her home was in Guss where she was superintendent of the Sunday school for over a quarter of a century. She also [taught?] many singing schools. She moved to the vicinity of New Market where she kept house for her brother, Alva, who had lost his wife in death. In 1936 she retired to New Market where she did much good work in the church there, being a teacher of the Sunday school and a member of the official board.

The past two years she has been in failing health and has been cared for in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Webb near New Market where her death occurred.

She is survived by two brothers and two sisters, A [lva] H Moats of New Market, Will Moats of Chicago, Mrs. Margaret Patterson, Harvey, Ill., and Mrs. Emma Abbey of Regent, South Dakota.

Services were at the Walker Funeral Home June 28 at 2 p. m. with the Rev. W. W. Bentzinger in charge. Burial was at Guss.

 

[BROWN, CLARA BELLE MOATS]
Bedford Times-Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, July 12, 1945, p. 3
Obituary – Belle M. Brown
Belle M. Moats, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Moats, was born near Danville, Iowa, December 8, 1859, and died near New Market, June 25, 1945 at the age of 85 years, 6 months and 17 days.

In January 1875 she came with her parents to the farm on which Guss is now located. Here she grew to womanhood, being educated in the schools of Taylor County and became a teacher for several years.

She was married in 1884 to Albert Brown. His death occurred in 1897. During her girlhood she confessed her faith in Christ, uniting with the Methodist church. Following the death of her husband she became an evangelistic singer, assisting various pastors throughout the state in revival meetings. She made her home in Guss, where she was superintendent of the Sunday school for more than a quarter of a century. Later she made her home with her brother near New Market for a number of years. In 1936 she moved to New Market where she was very active in church work, being a teacher of the Sunday school and a member of the official Board.

For the past two years she had been in failing health and had been cared for in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Webb, where her death occurred.

Mrs. Brown is survived by two brothers, A. [lva] H. Moats of New Market and Will Moats of Chicago; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Patterson of Harvey, Illinois and Mrs. Emma Abbey of Regent, South Dakota.

Funeral services were held June 28 in Clarinda, conducted by Rev. W. W. Bentzinger. Burial was in the Guss cemetery.

 

[BROWN, JOHN FLETCHER]

Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, February 7, 1907, p. 4

Mrs. Bell[e] Brown was called home Tuesday to attend the funeral of her father-in-law, J. [ohn] F. [letcher] Brown.

 

J. [ohn] F. [letcher] Brown, an old and respected citizen of Guss, died at his home Monday at one  o'clock. Mr. Brown had been ailing for several months. Interment took place in the Brown cemetery Wednesday. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Coe of Nodaway.

 

[BROWN, JOHN FLETCHER]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, February 7, 1907, [p. 1]
Death of An Aged Citizen
J. [ohn] F. [letcher] Brown, an aged and respected citizen of the vicinity southeast of town, died Monday afternoon about half past one o'clock of chronic kidney and bladder trouble, after suffering with his affliction some five or six years. He was 75 years, 9 months and 13 days old and had lived in the neighborhood of Guss forty-nine years, having made his home at the place where death overtook him for thirty-nine of them, thereby being able to claim to the distinction of being the oldest resident on "the ridge." He was born at Danville, Illinois and was a farmer and a successful one, by choice.

Funeral services were held at the home yesterday morning at eleven o'clock under the administration of Rev. J. E. Coe of Nodaway, and were largely attended, Mr. Brown being a man well liked by all his neighbors and relatives. His body was laid to rest in Maple Grove cemetery, a short distance from the place where he lived. He is survived by a wife and a brother, M. E. Brown of Guss and two sisters, Mrs. Sallie Bailey of Wisconsin and Mrs. Julia West of Humeston.

 

[BROWN, JOHN FLETCHER]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, February 14, 1907, p. 5
Guss News
Those from a distance who attended the funeral of J. [ohn] F. [letcher] Brown were: Mrs. Margaret Brown and Dr. Smith of Illinois, A. Perrine of Nebraska, Mrs. L. Collier and Mrs. Beavers of New Market and G. Baily of Minneapolis.

[BROWN, JOHN FLETCHER]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, February 14, 1907
Fletcher Brown, one of the early settlers near Guss, died Tuesday of last week of kidney trouble. He was one of the leading and influential men of his neighborhood and was respected by all. He was 76 years old. The funeral was held at the family residence Wednesday, one-half mile north of Guss, conducted by Rev. J. E. Coe of Nodaway.  Interment was in the Brown cemetery. – Villisca Letter.

 

[BROWN, SARAH ANN PERRINE]
New Market Herald (New Market, Iowa), Thursday, April 3, 1924
Brown, Sarah - Mrs Sarah Brown, a resident of the vicinity of Guss 58 years, died at her home there Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock, her death resulting from old age complications.

She was born in New York State on March 7, 1835, and was 89 years old at her death. She was married to John Fletcher Brown in Wisconsin on November 5, 1854, and to them three children were born, all of whom are deceased. Her husband also preceded her in death.

Mrs Brown is survived by one brother, Henry Perrine, of Council Bluffs. She leaves also Mrs Hattie Brown, and Miss Josephine, Carrol and Victor Brown of Guss.

 

[CLARK, JAMES LAFAYETTE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Wednesday, May 7, 1902, p. 8
L. [afayette] Clark of near Guss died last Thursday of kidney trouble at the age of 70 years. He has been sick for about one month. Mr. Clark was an old resident of that community.

 

[COMBS, JOSEPH ELMER]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, February 11, 1892, p. 7
A Fatal Explosion
Joe Combs, who resided near the Maple Grove church, was almost instantly killed by the bursting of a gun at a charivari, 14 miles from Villisca and 4 ½ miles from New Market, at the residence of ----Libby, in Valley Twp., Taylor Co. The gun had in an enormous charge, the parties loading it having aimed to make three loads from a pint of powder. About 8 inches of powder was in the barrel. On top of this dry paper had been rammed down and then wet paper put in and pounded with the ramrod against a tree. After the loading was finished a brother of the deceased who was to have fired it, concluded the risk was too great and declined the job. Then Combs took the gun and saying he was not afraid, set his foot upon the doorstep and pulled the trigger. The explosion was terrific, the door of the house was blown open and several people knocked down. A fragment of the barrel struck Combs in the lower jaw knocking out his teeth and another struck the side of his face and neck severing the jugular vein. He lived but a short time. Two other parties were struck by parts of the barrel. One will probably lose the sight of one eye. Combs was about 30 years old and leaves a wife and one child. The occurrence is a sad warning to parties indulging in this barbarous pastime. It is not strange that such accidents happen at these gatherings. The strange part of it is that we are not called on to record more of them. The awful death of this young man will probably end such exhibitions in his neighborhood for some time, and it would be well if they were dispensed with everywhere for all time.

 

[COMBS, JOSEPH ELMER]
Clarinda Herald (Clarinda, Iowa), Wednesday, February 24, 1892, p. 2
While a party of men and boys were charivaring a newly married couple near New Market, a shot gun exploded in the hands of J. [oseph] E. Combs, killing him instantly. A number of others were badly injured.

 

[COMBS, KEZIAH MCDONALD]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, October 6, 1910, p. 7
Mr. and Mrs. E. Phillis were at Guss last Thursday to attend the funeral of Mrs. Joseph Thomas Combs, who died at Beaconsfield, Iowa, Tuesday of last week at the age of 74 years. The funeral was held at the Guss church and interment was in the Guss cemetery. Mrs. Combs was a former resident of Guss, having spent many years of her life there, but left fourteen years ago. She was born in Taylor County, Ohio, and was a good and noble woman who had lived a life as useful as it was long. She was a very dear friend of Mr. and Mrs. Phillis.

[COMBS, KEZIAH MCDONALD]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, September 29, 1910
Frank Combs received word Wednesday of the death of his mother, Mrs. J. [oseph] T. [homas] Combs, at her home near Beaconsfield, Iowa. Mrs. Combs, with her husband, J. [oseph] T. [homas] Combs, who survives her, were among the pioneer settlers of Taylor County, residing for many years near Guss and very much esteemed by all who know them. Mrs. Combs has been an invalid for years.

[COMBS, KEZIAH MCDONALD]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, September 29, 1910
Frank Combs received word Wednesday of the death of his mother, Mrs. J. [oseph] T.[homas] Combs, at her home near Beaconsfield, Iowa. Mrs. Combs, with her husband, J. [oseph] T. [homas] Combs, who survives her, were among the pioneer settlers of Taylor County, residing for many years near Guss and very much esteemed by all who knew them. Mrs. Combs has been an invalid for years.

 

[DENNIS, GEORGE W.]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, July 8, 1909, p. 4
An Iowa Pioneer Gone
George W. Dennis died at 12:30 o'clock Wednesday morning, July 7, 1909, at the home of his son Henry in Villisca. Mr. Dennis was born in Columbia [Columbiana], Ohio, in June 1830 and died at the age of 79 years, one month and five days. He moved with his parents to Johnson County, Iowa, in the spring of 1843.

Mr. Dennis was a veteran of the Civil war having enlisted in the First Iowa Infantry May 3, 1861 and re-enlisted in the Fourteenth Iowa. The deceased crossed the plains and went to California where he lived for two years, returning to Johnson County in 1865.

On January 15, 1865, George W. Dennis was married to Mrs. Martha Randolph and they moved to Taylor County, near Guss, on a farm where Mr. Dennis lived until about two years ago, when the farm was sold and he went to make his home with his son, G. [eorge] H. [arvey] near Guss, his wife having preceded him to the grave ten years ago.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dennis were born six children, of which only three, B. [enamah] A. of Lamar, Colorado, W. [illiam] H. [enry] of Villisca and G. [eorge] H. [arvey] of near Guss, are living. They were present at the time of their father's death.

The deceased was a member of the Methodist church having joined in 1875. He was a faithful Christian and a good and kind neighbor and leaves a host of friends in the neighborhood where he had lived.

The funeral will be held today from the M. E. church at Guss and interment will be in the Brown cemetery at Guss by the side of his wife.

[DENNIS, GEORGE W.]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, July 15, 1909, p. 5

The funeral of George W. Dennis which was to have been held on Thursday of last week at Guss was postponed until Friday on account of the high waters making the roads impassable.

[DENNIS, GEORGE W.]
Bedford Free Press (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, July 22, 1909
Death of George W. Dennis
The funeral services for the late Mr. Dennis, whose death was mentioned in these columns last week, were held at the Guss M. E. church last Friday afternoon, a large congregation being in attendance, attesting their respect for the one who lived so long among them. Rev. C. A. Carlson conducted the service, taking for the text for the sermon, Exodus 23-10, "Let me die the death of the righteous and let my end be like His." The music by the local choir included some favorite hymns of deceased.
Six old soldiers were the pall bearers, viz: W. E. Brown, A. D. Starr, T. M. Wickersham, Samuel Beveridge, William Weller and C. B. Rose. About twenty civil war veterans were present, including the following members of Meyerhoff Post of Nodaway, to which deceased belonged, viz: N. R. Fuller, M. R. Segriff, W. F. Shiffer, W. E. Brown, W. H. Marsh, A. D. Starr, T. B. Hyde, Ed Kennedy, John Minert, E. J. Orr, J. W. Kirk, J. M. Sturgeon.
A large procession followed deceased to the Brown cemetery where interment was made in the family burial lot.
  Meyerhoff Post was present as an organization and gave the G. A. R. burial service.
Geo. W. Dennis was born June 2, 1830 in Columbiana Co., Ohio, died June 7, 1909 at Villisca, Iowa. When a small boy his parents moved to Iowa in 1843. He crossed the plains to California in 1852, lived there two years and returned to Johnson County, Iowa in 1854. At the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted in the three months service in Co. B, 1st Ia. If., May 3, 1861. He re-enlisted in October 1861 in the 14th infantry. Was transferred to the 7th Iowa Cav., in which he served until the end of the war. He was married to Mrs. Martha E. Randolph, January 15, 1865, moved to Taylor County, Iowa in the spring of 1874. To this union six children were born. The mother and three children preceeded him to the better world. The remaining three are B. A. Dennis, Lamar, Colo.; W. H. Dennis of Villisca, Iowa; and H. G. Dennis of Guss, Iowa. He was a member of the M. E. church, having been converted in 1875. Mrs. Dennis died a number of years ago since which time he has made his home with his children and it was at the home of his son at Villisca, that he passed away. Peace to His ashes! – Nodaway News.

[FULLER, HARRY]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, December 12, 1919, p. 8
Harry Fuller Is Dead
Friends in this city received a telegram Tuesday from Miss Eva Fuller, of Taylorville, Illinois, stating that her brother, Harry Fuller, had passed away at his home in Lead, South Dakota, pneumonia causing his death. The remains were expected to arrive in Villisca Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning for burial in the cemetery at Guss, though the body had not arrived Thursday morning at ten o'clock on account of the poor train connections due to the inclement weather.

Harry Fuller was born in the vicinity of Guss in May 1875, and at the time of his death was more than forty-four years of age. Twenty-two years ago he was united in marriage to Luella Rogers of New Market. Two children, Vera, aged twenty-one, and George, aged seventeen, survive from this union. For about eight or nine years the family had made their home in and near Lead, where the deceased was engaged as a rancher and in the large mines near that city.

Mrs. N. R. Fuller and her daughter, Miss Eva, of Taylorville, Illinois, were prevented from coming to Villisca to be present at the burial services.

 

[FULLER, LOUISA FERGUSON]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, March 31, 1933, p. 8
Funeral Services Are Held Here For Mrs. N. R. Fuller
Funeral services were held at 2 p. m. Friday in the Villisca Methodist church for Mrs. N. R. Fuller of Villisca, who died Tuesday of last week in Appleton, Wisc., at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William L. Crow.

The Rev. Martin H. Keast, pastor of the local Methodist church, was in charge of the services, and musical numbers were given by a quartet composed of Mrs. Albert F. Davie, Mrs. H. H. Nordyke, H. C. Lindell and Roy Means. Pallbearers were T. J. Wright, W. J. Oviatt, Victor Brown, H. H. Nordyke, Glen Robe and John Cordes, and burial was made in the family lot in the Guss cemetery.

Mrs. Fuller's body arrived in Villisca Friday morning accompanied by her daughter, Mrs. Crow of Appleton, Wisc. The body remained at the Meyerhoff & Pitman funeral home on Fourth Avenue until the hour of the funeral.

Louisa Ferguson, daughter of Henry and Jane Ferguson, was born March 10, 1848, in what is now the city of Milwaukee, Wisc. At 7 years of age she moved with her parents to Hebron, Wisc., and on May 4, 1867, she was united in marriage to Norman R. Fuller. Two years later they moved to Taylor County, Iowa, where they resided in the Guss vicinity until April 1910, when they moved to Villisca.

They made their home here until the death of Mr. Fuller on April 12, 1918. They were the parents of three children, Maud and Harry, who preceded their mother in death, and Eva, now Mrs. W. [illiam] L. Crow, of Appleton, Wisc., who survives. Mrs. Fuller leaves also three grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Fuller joined the Methodist Episcopal church in 1877.

In recent years, Mrs. Fuller has divided her time between Villisca and her daughter's home in Wisconsin. She left here last September and had spent the winter with her daughter.

 

[FULLER, NORMAN RANSFORD]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, April 19, 1918, [p. 1], 5
Death Claims Old Soldier Norman R. Fuller Succumbs to Attack of Pneumonia Friday Evening After Short Illness
Old Settler of Taylor Co. Served Over Three Years in Service of His Country—Was Active in Church and G. A. R.
The death of Norman R. [ansford] Fuller, a pioneer of this section, took place at his home in this city Friday at 7 p. m. Mr. Fuller had been ailing for about two weeks and took to his bed the Sunday previous to his death with the dread disease pneumonia, which carried him away.

Mr. Fuller was born in Berkshire, Mass., August 14, 1837, he being 80 years, 5 months and 28 days old. When he was about three years old his parents moved to North Canaan, Connecticut. Eleven years later the family moved to Hebron, Wis.

August 21, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 28th regiment Wisconsin volunteers. He served his country until peace was declared, receiving his discharge at Brownsville, Texas, August 23, 1865. After the war he returned to his home at Hebron and at that place was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Ferguson, May 4, 1867.

In 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Fuller came to Guss and bought a farm near that village where they made their home until they moved to Villisca, about eight years ago.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fuller. One of these, Maud, died at the age of three years. Harry of Lead, South Dakota, and Miss Eva, who has been teaching at Falls City, Nebraska, survive their father, as does his wife.

Mr. Fuller always took a deep interest in all social and public enterprises, especially events of a patriotic nature. He early jointed the G. A. R. at Nodaway, and transferred his membership to the post at this place when he moved here. He was very active for many years in all Memorial Day programs, anniversaries and reunions. For the past six years he was commander of Villisca Post No. 271. Intense loyalty and devotion to country was a marked characteristic in his life. A few weeks ago when the service flag was dedicated at the M. E. church, he took great interest in helping to make the service successful and beautiful, and he was one of the two chosen to unveil the flag.

Over forty-one years ago he was converted and united with the Methodist church when services were held at the Fairview schoolhouse. When the church was built at Guss he gave the ground and helped build the structure. He has ever since been a staunch supporter of his church and served as Sunday school superintendent at Guss for some time.

It was in his home that Mr. Fuller was at his best, his wedded life of more than fifty years approaching the ideal. He scarcely had a cross word with members of his family, and they were very much devoted to him. For several years he reported weather and crop conditions to the government weather bureau and also to the local press. The Review was indebted to him for many weather reports, which were much appreciated.

In the demise of Mr. Fuller, the family has lost a devoted husband and father; the neighborhood and friends have lost a neighbor and friend indeed; the church has lost an honored member.

The funeral took place from the Methodist church, Monday at 2:30 o'clock, the pastor, Rev. Menoher, in charge. Both son and daughter were here to attend the funeral and also a granddaughter, Miss Vera, daughter of Harry Fuller of Lead.

 

 

 

[GUSS, CHARLES FREMONT]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Wednesday, January 23, 1901, [p. 1]
Guss – Chas. F. [remont] Guss died last Thursday, January 17, at the age of 44 years, 1 month and 13 days. He was born in Putnam County, Illinois, December 4, 1856 and came with his parents to Taylor county in 1873. He was married to her who was Sarrah [Sarah] A. Huss May 1, 1888, and to them were born five children, two girls and three boys, two of the latter, Mark and Ray, preceding their father to the better land.

Deceased was a member of the M. E. church from early manhood and in his death it loses a faithful and earnest worker. Mr. Guss was an old resident of the neighborhood in which he lived and his friends were many. He commanded the respect of everybody and is now most sadly missed by all.

The funeral was held at Guss last Friday forenoon at eleven o'clock, Rev. Dudley of this city conducting the services.

The loving companion and children have the deepest sympathy of many friends.

 

[GUSS, ELIZABETH ANN SHARPLESS]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, March 4, 1904, [p. 1]
Mrs. E. A. Guss Dead

A cloud of gloom covers Guss and vicinity on account of the death of Mrs. Elizabeth A. Guss. This old lady had lived in that community for many years, and while she had been very poorly for several months and hope for her recovery had been abandoned, yet these facts do not mitigate the sorrow caused by her departure. Mrs. Guss was admired and loved by all who knew her and she will be greatly missed. The funeral services will be held from the Maple Grove church of Guss at two o'clock this (Friday) afternoon.

Deceased was born in Belmont County, Ohio, November 27, 1828 and died at her home near Guss Tuesday forenoon [March 1st, 1904].

 

[GUSS, ELIZABETH ANN SHARPLESS]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, March 11, 1904, [p. 1]
Elizabeth A. [nn] Sharpless was born in Belmont County, Ohio, on November 27, 1828, and died at her home 1 ¼ miles north of Guss, Iowa, on March 1st, 1904, aged 75 years, 3 months and 3 days. In 1845 she removed to Putnam County, Illinois, with her widow mother. At this place, on the 6th day of August of the same year, occurred her marriage to Dr. T. [homas] W. Reed. But one child was the fruit of this marriage, Mrs. Jennie L. Tanner. Dr. Reed departed this life September 4, 1848, and on November 10, 1853, she was married to William Guss. Six children resulted from this union. Henry W. [allace], who was born in 1854, Louisa in 1858 and little Adda [Mary] in 1861, died while in infancy; Charles F.[remont], who was born in 1856, died in January 1901; thus leaving only three children—Mrs. Jennie L. [uella] Tanner, Will H. [oyle] and Nettie Guss to mourn their mother's death. Mrs. Guss came with her husband and family to Taylor county, Iowa, in 1873, taking up her residence where she died.

Her illness was of a lingering nature, but all that kind and loving hands could do was done by the children to make peaceful and happy her last moments of earthly life. Mrs. Guss held a membership in the M. E. church at Maple Grove, Iowa, although she clung to the teachings of her childhood days and was a firm believer in the Quaker faith. A kind and loving mother and a friend to all who stood in need has passed from our midst. She leaves six grandchildren and three great grandchildren. "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

 

[GUSS, GLENN WILLIAM]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, April 26, 1984, p. 5
Glenn William Guss – Glenn William Guss, 74, lifelong resident of the Villisca area, passed away at his home Friday morning, April 20, 1984. He was born in Taylor County on June 10, 1909, to William H. [oyle] and Mary Spring Guss. He attended Villisca High School, graduating with the Class of 1928.

On October 5, 1930, Glenn was married to Eula Moritz at Atlantic. Nine children were born to this union. He was engaged in farming most of his life and worked at the Mental Health Institutes at Clarinda and Glenwood until his retirement in 1972.

Glenn is survived by wife and children, Ronald and Johan Guss, Troy, Va., Merwin and Janet Guss, Oskaloosa, Tom and Roma Ingersoll and Jird and Shirley Fidley [Fidler], Villisca; Keith and Janet Echternach, Council Bluffs, Wayne and Wendy Guss, Sandy, Utah, Gail and Sandra Kinser, Griswold; Joseph Sr. and June Balog, Odessa, Texas; Larry Sr. and Joan Perdue, Griswold.

He is also survived by twenty-eight grandchildren and twenty-six great grandchildren, two sisters, Helen Guss and Irene Guss, both of San Diego, Ca.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant sisters.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 24, 1984, at the Villisca United Methodist Church with the Reverend Steven Wainwright officiating.

Casket bearers were Randal Guss, David Echternach, Mark Echternach, Joseph Balog, Jr., Larry Perdue Jr (all grandsons), Ronald Carlson, Clark Moritz and Bill Ingersoll. Alternates were Rick Sprague, Brian Carlson and Bill Struble. Ushers were Howard Lowe and Charles Crouse.

In charge of flowers were Ruth Hentsch and Grace TenEyck. Music was played by Martin Hentsch. Presiding at the registration book were Audrie Rubin and Fern Firkins.

Graveside services and burial were at the Guss Cemetery, Guss, Ia.

Sutphen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangement.

 

[GUSS, IRENE PEARL]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, October 7, 1993, p. 13
Irene Pearl Guss – Graveside services for Irene Pearl Guss, 72, were Oct. 5, 1993, at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Guss, Ia., with Pastor Albert Baker officiating. Irene died Oct. 2, 1993, at the Good Samaritan Care Center, Villisca, Ia. A memorial will be established in her name.

Irene, daughter of William Hoyl[e] and Mary (Spring) Guss, was born Feb. 14, 1921, in Taylor County, Iowa. She attended country schools in Taylor County and a year in Nodaway, Ia., then moved to Kansas City, Mo., where she graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1939. She attended a secretarial school for one year and was a secretary all of her life.

Irene's first secretarial position was in Kansas City where she worked for 12 years. Irene then moved to San Diego, Ca., where she made her home and worked as a secretary for the County of San Diego for many years. In 1983, she retired and became a member of the San Diego County Retirees.

Irene made several moves after retirement, first returning to Kansas City in 1990; to Villisca in 1991; back to San Diego in 1992; and finally back to Villisca in 1993. She entered the Good Samaritan Center in Villisca four weeks ago.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Glenn Guss; two infant sisters; and an older sister, Helen Guss.

Survivors include a sister-in-law, Eula Guss of Villisca; and several nieces and nephews.

Sutphen-Beaty Funeral Home of Villisca was in charge of arrangements.

 

[GUSS, JANET NADEANE STROUD]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, December 26, 1985, p. 2
Janet N. Guss
Janet N. [adeane] Guss, age 53, of Oskaloosa, died Sunday morning, December 22, 1985, at the Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa.

She was born June 11, 1932, in Taylor County to Dale and Elsie Lacox Stroud. She attended school at Spalding and Nodaway. She was married on June 28, 1949, to Merwin Guss in Clarinda.

Survivors include her husband, Merwin; one son, Randal Guss of Ames; three daughters, Lynne Guss of Aurora, Co., Layne Guss Rahbar of San Luis Obispo, Ca., and Luanne Guss Sigler of Ames; nine grandchildren; her father, Dale Stroud of Nodaway; and one brother, Eddie Stroud of Bakersfield, Ca.

Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, December 26, 1985, at 1:30 p. m. at the Maple Grove United Methodist Church at Guss, Iowa. The Reverend Fred Malone officiated. Interment was in the Guss Cemetery.

Garland-VanArkel funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa was in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Mahaska County.

 

[GUSS, MARK MCKINLEY]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, August 31, 1893, p. 7
---Wednesday of last week, Mark the 12 months old child of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. F. Guss died of Cholera infantum.

 

[GUSS, MARY ELLAWESE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, June 19, 1913, p. 7
Mary Ellawese Guss – A baby daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. W. [illiam] H.[oyle] Guss, living southeast of town, June 11, 1913. But the little life, which so brightened the home, soon saddened it as she lived only one day, when she was taken to the home which is pure and free from care. Mary Ellawese was buried in the Brown cemetery by the side of her sister, who preceded her to the grave. Mr. and Mrs. Guss have the heartfelt sympathy of their many friends and neighbors in their sad bereavement.

 

[GUSS, MARY SPRING]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, May 27, 1948, p. 3
Mrs. Mary Guss of Kansas City Dies; Funeral Tuesday At Guss

Guss, Ia. – Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Rock accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Guss of south of Nodaway went to Kansas City Sunday afternoon. They were called there by the sudden death of Mrs. Mary Guss, mother of Glen and aunt of Mrs. Rock. Mrs. Guss was a former resident of this community. Service will be Tuesday afternoon at the Guss church and interment will be at the cemetery here.

 

[GUSS, MARY SPRING]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, May 27, 1948, p. 5
Mrs. Mary Guss – Mrs. Mary Guss, former resident of the vicinity southeast of Villisca, died Sunday at her home in Kansas City.
Mary Spring was born March 21, 1881, near Prescott, Ia., where she spent her early life. She was 67 years old at her death.

She was united in marriage with Wm. H. Guss, March 20, 1907, and to them were born five children, three of whom survive. They are Helen E. and Irene Pearl, Kansas City; and Glen W., Nodaway. Two daughters, Louella and Ellowese, died in infancy and the husband and father preceded his wife in death.

Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Lena Groff, Nodaway; a brother, John Spring, Lenox; a half-brother, Raymond Spring, Nodaway; and nine grandchildren.

Mrs. Guss had lived in Kansas City with her daughters for the last 15 years. She was a member of the Guss Methodist church.

Funeral services were held Tuesday at the Guss church, conducted by the Rev. Clement Rowe. Music Emma Jeanne and Rosa March, with Carlyle Rowe at the piano, and the pallbearers were Cliff Groff, John Groff, Ernest Spring, Marion Hendrickson. Interment was in the Guss cemetery.

Relatives and friends who came from a distance to attend the funeral were John Spring, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Young, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Spring and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Spring, Lenox; Mr. and Mrs. John Groff, Gravity; Mr. and Mrs. Jake Spring, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Spring, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Spring, Corning; the Rev. and Mrs. John Ralston, Sommers, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Wedlin, Kansas City, Mo.

 

[GUSS, NETTIE ELLEWESE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, January 15, 1932, p. 5
Rites Are Held At Guss Church For Nettie Guss
Miss Nettie Ellewese Guss, 65, died at 1:40 p. m. Sunday at her home north of Guss, following a stroke of paralysis which she suffered about 8:30 a. m. Sunday.

Funeral services were held at 2 p. m. Tuesday at the Guss church and burial was made in the cemetery there. The Rev. L. B. Carpenter of Villisca was in charge of the rites, assisted by the Rev. Wayne Emry of Nodaway and the Rev. Mr. Ralston, pastor of the Methodist church at Lake City, Iowa.

Miss Guss was born June 11, 1866 in LaSalle County, Ill., a daughter of William and Elizabeth Ann Guss. At the age of 7 years she came with her parents to the farm in Taylor County, Iowa, where she spent the remainder of her life. When a young girl she became a member of the Methodist church at Guss.

She is survived by her brother, William H., of Guss. Two sisters, two brothers and one half-sister preceded her in death. They were Addie, Louisa, Henry W. and Chas. F. Guss and a half-sister, Jennie Tanner.

The singing at the funeral was by Mesdames Paul Firkins, Roe Van Alstine, Ted McCoy and Bert Tarry, accompanied by Mrs. Arthur Bell. The pallbearers were Henry Freuck, Will Rock, Harve Hoffman, Frank Moritz, Ted Davis and L. O. Hess.

Those who came from a distance to attend the service were Rev. and Mrs. J. L. Ralston, Lake City, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tanner and sons, Fremont, Neb.; and Mrs. Carlton Gallup, Kansas City, Mo.

 

[GUSS, WILLIAM]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Wednesday, March 11, 1903, [p. 1]
William Guss Dead
Monday morning at three o'clock William Guss died of dropsy at his home in Guss. The funeral services will be postponed for a time, but brief ceremonies will be held at the Maple Grove church this afternoon, Rev. L. B. Carpenter of Nodaway officiating. The deceased was an old settler in the vicinity of Guss, the first post office being in his private home for many years. He was a faithful member of the M. E. church for long years and was a highly honored and respected citizen of his community. He leaves an aged wife and two children, a son and daughter, to mourn his departure.

 

 

 

[HAMILL, CLAYTON B.]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, October 3, 1912, [p. 1]
C. B. Hamill Dead
C. [layton] B. Hamill of Guss died Sunday, September 29, 1912, in the hospital at Clarinda at the age of 60 years. He had been in poor health for some time. A few months go he had improved sufficiently to return to his home but soon began to grow worse again until it was necessary to take him back to the hospital and he gradually failed until death came. Mr. Hamill was a brother to Mrs. H. G. Moats of Villisca and Mrs. A. C. Wallahan of Guss. Mrs. Wallahan went to Clarinda to accompany the remains home. They arrived Monday evening on their way to Guss, where the body was taken for burial.

[HAMILL, CLAYTON B.]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, October 3, 1912, p. 3
Francis Moats, who is attending college at Indianola, came last Friday morning to visit home folks and attend to some business matters. He expected to return Sunday evening but was detained by the death of an uncle, C. [layton] B. Hamill, at Clarinda.

[HUSS, MARGARET HAMPSHER]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Wednesday, February 20, 1901, p. 8
Mrs. Huss, of near Guss, died of old age last Saturday. She was 79 years, 3 months and 25 days old. The funeral was held from the M. E. church at Guss, Rev. Farley officiating and the sons-in-law of the deceased, acting as pallbearers. Mrs. Huss was a noble old lady and the community in which she lived has been greatly benefitted by her long life. She will be sadly missed by her large family and many friends.

 

[JOHNSON, GEORGE WASHINGTON]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, July 28, 1933, p. 6
George W. Johnson Dies At Guss; Had Lived There 50 Yrs.
George Washington Johnson, 77, a resident of the Guss vicinity for more than half a century, died at 11:45 p. m. Tuesday at the home of his son Wesley and family at Guss.

Funeral services were held at 2 p. m. Thursday in the Guss Methodist church, with the Rev. Mr. Dickey of College Springs, Iowa, officiating. Singing was by Mrs. Harvey Denis of Lenox, with Mrs. Harry Andrew of Guss as accompanist. Burial was made in the Guss cemetery.

Mr. Johnson was born May 27, 1856 in Warren County, Illinois. He was married in 1879 to Marilda Cutberth who preceded him in death in 1905. To this union two sons were born, both of whom survive their father. They are Clarence of Kansas City, Mo., and Wesley of Guss. In 1880, Mr. Johnson and his bride moved to the farm in the Guss vicinity where he has resided most of the time since and which is now occupied by his son.

In 1924, Mr. Johnson married Mrs. Jane Strand of College Springs. She died March 7, 1932.

Besides his two sons, Mr Johnson is survived by four sisters and two brothers who are C. E. Johnson of Clarinda, J. J. Johnson of Gravity, Mrs. Mary Ross of Roseville, Ill., Mrs. Henry Frost of New Market, Mrs. George Shum of Gravity and Mrs. George Darnold of Lincoln, Neb.

 

[JOHNSON, MARILDA A. CUTBERTH]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, May 25, 1905, p. 5
Long Suffering Ends
After patient suffering with dropsy for about a year Mrs. G. W. Johnson passed away at her home near Guss last Saturday night at eleven o'clock. The funeral was held Monday from the Maple Grove church and the remains were buried in the nearby cemetery. The services were in charge of the W. C. T. U. and the sermon was delivered by Rev. Coe of Nodaway.

Marilda A. Cutberth was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, in 1854 and was married to G. [eorge] W. [ashington] Johnson in 1879. Two sons, Clarence and Wesley, the husband and the Mesdames Frank Gaskell and Harry McCulloch, sisters of the deceased, deeply mourn their loss and the people of Guss and vicinity share in their grief caused by the death of one who was loved and respected by all who knew her.

The neighbors and friends were exceedingly kind during the long sickness of Mrs. Johnson and for such treatment the family is indeed most grateful.

 

[JOHNSON, SARAH EMMA HOLLAND]
Clarinda Herald Journal (Clarinda, Iowa), Thursday, April 17, 1969, p. 7
Sarah Emma Johnson – Sarah Emma Holland Johnson, daughter of Andrew Jackson Holland and Nancy Kathlyn Guess, was born near Greenville in Green County, Tennessee on Oct. 26, 1882. She was converted by Reverend Duncan and joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Newmansville Tenn at age 16.

She came to New Market, Iowa Oct. 1900 and stayed with relatives. She came to the Fletcher Brown home near Guss in February 1901 where she worked for 7 years. In 1902 her letter of membership was moved to the Guss Church where it has since been.

On Dec. 18, 1907 she was united in marriage to Calvin Wesley Johnson also of Guss. To this union six sons were born: Floyd Allen, Loyal Albert, Francis Errin, A Delbert, George Walter, Wilber Lloyd.

Most of her married life was spent on the farm home near Guss in Taylor County, Iowa. Due to ill health the last several months was spent at North Gate Manor Home in Corning, Iowa. She passed away at the Rosary Hospital April 17 at 3:15 pm at the age of 86 years, 5 months and 12 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure her six sons, six daughters-in-law, 17 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, half-sister Fannie and four half brothers, George of Lenox, Ia. and Bertie, Perry and Marshall of Tennessee.

Her parents, two sisters, Mattie and Helen, one brother Sam, two half brothers, Earl and Frank, one half sister, Mae, preceded her in death. She leaves to mourn her passing a host of relatives and friends.

Services were conducted at Guss Methodist church Thursday, April 10 at 2 pm by Pastor George White with interment in Guss Cemetery. Soloist was Mrs Shirley Larsen. Pianist was Mrs. Opal Brown. Pallbearers were Elvin Clark, Glenn Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Donald Johnson, Earl Johnson and Gail Johnson. The Shum-Novinger Funeral Services of Bedford was in charge.

 

[LINDBERG, AUGUST]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, January 20, 1928, p. 3
August Lindberg – August Lindberg, a resident of Villisca and vicinity for more than fifty years, died at his home in Villisca Friday at 3:45 a. m. at the age of 79 years. His death resulted from heart trouble and old age complications.

Mr. Lindberg was born Oct. 14, 1848, in Sweden and at the age of 21 he went to Germany where he spent three years, coming to the United States in 1873. He spent two years in Illinois and in 1875 came to Iowa, settling on a farm three miles northwest of Guss. A few years later he moved to a farm seven miles southeast of Villisca where he resided until he moved to Villisca ten years ago.

He was united in marriage to Mathilda Peterson on Oct. 7, 1879, and to this union five children were born, two of whom died in infancy. Those who with the wife survive are Mrs. Elver Lacox of Nodaway and Mrs. Chas. Johnson and Frank Lindberg of Villisca. He leaves also one brother, Carl Lindberg of Villisca, and one granddaughter, Ruby Johnson.

At the age of 18 Mr. Lindberg was confirmed into the Lutheran church, in which faith he still retained his membership. His funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Methodist church at Guss, with Rev. Geo. A. Lawton in charge of the service. The singing was by Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Shane and Mr. and Mrs. Albert F. Davie, with Miss Dorothy Peterson at the piano. The pallbearers were D. C. Taylor, George Lindberg, Elmer Lindberg, P. H. Peterson, Chas. Peterson and Walter Peterson, nephews of the deceased. Interment was in the family lot in the Guss cemetery.

Those here from a distance to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Eastman, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Butke, Mr. and Mrs. Millard Hoaglund and Miss Alice Peterson, all of Omaha, D. C. Taylor and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Pierce of Red Oak and Ruby Johnson of Tarkio, Mo.

 

[LINDBERG, CARL]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, April 10, 1931, p. 4
Funeral Services For Carl Lindberg Will Be Held Today
Carl Lindberg, 72, died at 9:21 a. m. Wednesday at his home in Villisca after an illness of four weeks which was preceded by a year of failing health.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p. m. this Friday in the Methodist church, conducted by the pastor, the Rev. Martin H. Keast. The body was taken to the Wolfe & Gourley funeral home to await the funeral rites. Burial will be made in Maple Grove cemetery at Gus.

Carl Lindberg was born December 11, 1858 in Sweden and was the son of Anders and Charlotte Lindberg. He was married in Sweden to Anna Johnson who preceded him in death. When 21 years of age, Mr. Lindberg came to America and settled in this section of Iowa a year later. He lived in this vicinity from that time until his death.

On May 20, 1887, he was married in Bedford, Iowa, to Matilda Nelson who survives. He leaves also, eight children, all of whom were here at the time of his death. They are Mrs. W. J. Mulnix of Grafton, N. Dak., Mrs. D. C. Taylor of Red Oak, Mrs. G. L. Pierce of Red Oak, Geo. Lindberg of Villisca, Elmer Lindberg of east of Villisca and Bertha, Carl and Paul at home. There are also two grandsons, Robert Pierce and Gilbert Lindberg. Four sisters and three brothers preceded him in death.

Mr. Lindberg was a member of the Villisca Methodist church and was affiliated with the local I. O. O. F. lodge.

The pallbearers at the funeral will be Frank Lindberg, Chas. Johnson, Ralph Orme, Elver Lacox, Geo. Pierce and D. C. Taylor.

 

[LINDBERG, MATHILDA GUSTAVA PETERSON]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, August 24, 1934, [p. 1]
Mrs. Aug. Lindberg, Resident Here Sixty Years, Dies At Age 81
Mrs. August Lindberg, one of the earliest residents of this community, died Monday at 7 p. m. at her home on West Third Street, her death resulting from old age complications. She lacked but a week of being 82 years old and had lived in Villisca and in the community southeast of here for more than sixty years.

Mathilda Peterson was born Aug. 27, 1852, in Sweden. In her infancy she moved with her parents to Denmark where she lived until the death of her father, and in the spring of 1872 she came to America. After spending a few months in Illinois, she came to Iowa and lived for seven years with her brothers, Pete and Otto Peterson, on a farm three miles northwest of Guss.

She was married to August Lindberg on Oct. 7, 1879, and they began housekeeping on a farm three miles northwest of Guss. From there they moved to a farm seven miles southeast of Villisca where they resided until they moved to Villisca seventeen years ago.

To them were born five children, two of whom died in infancy. Those surviving are Mrs. Elver Lacox of Nodaway, Mrs. Chas. Johnson and Mrs. Frank Lindberg of Villisca. One granddaughter, Mrs. Ruby Runyan of Villisca, also survives.

Mrs. Lindberg was confirmed in the Lutheran church in her youth and retained her membership in that organization until her death. Her funeral was held in the Methodist church at 2 p. m. Wednesday, conducted by the Rev. W. F. Clayburg. The singing was by Mr. and Mrs. Albert F. Davie, Miss Sylvia Enarson and H. C. Lindell, with Miss Helen Joliffe as accompanist, and the pallbearers were Chas. Peterson, Chas. Posten, Elmer Lindberg, Frank Peterson, T. K. Wheeler and Milton Dorsett. Interment was in the Guss cemetery beside the husband of the deceased.

Those here from a distance to attend the funeral were Frank Peterson, Mrs. C. E. Eastman and Mrs. Robert Butke, Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Pierce, Mrs. Carl Lindberg, Paul Lindberg and Bertha Lindberg, Red Oak; and Mrs. W. J. Mulnix, Grafton, N. Dak.

 

[MCFARLING, ALVIRETTA RUSSELL]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, April 3, 1941, p. 8
Funeral Service For Mrs. McFarling To Be This Afternoon

Funeral services will be held this Thursday at 2 p. m. in the Pitman funeral home, for Mrs. Alveretta McFarling, 82, who died Tuesday at the home of her son, Ray, northeast of Villisca.

The Rev. L. B. Carpenter will be in charge of the services and interment will be made in the Guss cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Clyde Sabin, Henry Freuck, Martin Taylor, Delmer Cady, Richard Ridnour and Albert Brown, and music will be provided by Mrs. Maude Scott, accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Frances Wheeler.

 

[MCFARLING, ALVIRETTA RUSSELL]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, April 10, 1941, p. 5
Obituary of Mrs. W. L. McFarling
Miss Alvirretta Russell, daughter of Sanford and Zillah Russell, was born at Clifton, West Va., Oct. 30, 1858, and died April 1, at the home of her son, Ray, northeast of Villisca. Funeral services were held Thursday at the Pitman funeral home and interment was made in the Guss cemetery.

She moved with her parents and brother to Jones County, Iowa, in the fall of 1878, living near Olin. On Sept. 30, 1883, she was married to William L. McFarling near Anamosa, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. McFarling lived in Jones County two years and in Jasper County one year, then moved to Taylor County where they lived on a farm one mile west of Guss. Later they moved to the farm they purchased and this was their home for 50 years. Mr. McFarling died four years ago.

To this union four children were born, Ray McFarling of northeast of Villisca, Mrs. Gertie Freuck, deceased, and one boy and girl who died in infancy.

Surviving besides her son Ray are four grandchildren, Mrs. Lloris McFarling, Mrs. Albert Ronspies of Randolph, Neb., Mrs. Wencil Hurt of Clarks, Neb. and Floyd Freuck of Randolph, Neb., and one great grandson.
[Note: Her first name is spelled Alviretta on her headstone.]

[MCFARLING, WILLIAM LAFAYETTE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, January 24, 1936, p. 5
Funeral Service Held Sunday for Wm. L. McFarling
Funeral services for W. L. McFarling, long time resident of the Nodaway vicinity, were held Sunday at 1:30 p. m. at the Guss church, with the Rev. D. A. Zook in charge. Music was furnished by a ladies' quartet, Mrs. Paul Firkins, Mrs. Roe Van Alstine, Mrs. T. O. McCoy and Mrs. Earl Cooney, with Mrs. Wesley Campaign at the piano. The pallbearers were Ed Stanton, Frank Stanton, Delmar Cady, William Lacox, Glen Stamps and Clyde Sabin and interment was in the Guss cemetery.

William Lafayette McFarling, son of Mr. and Mrs. James McFarling, was born July 14, 1857, near Anamosa, Jones County, Iowa, and died at his home 4 ½ miles southeast of Nodaway at 10:45 p. m., Wednesday of last week at the age of 78 years. He was ill only a few days. He was the last of a family of seven children.

He spent the most of his early life in Jones County where he was united in marriage to Miss Alvirretta Russell on September 30, 1883. They lived a short time in Jones County and then moved to Jasper County, Iowa, where they lived one year. Later they moved to Taylor County where they bought the farm they have lived on for 48 years. To this union were born four children, two of whom died in infancy. Their daughter, Mrs. Gertie Freuck died several years ago, leaving three children. Besides his widow and these three grandchildren, Mr. McFarling leaves also his son Ray and wife and their daughter of Nodaway.

 

[MITCHELL, MINNIE ELIZABETH "LIZZIE" BEAVERS]
Taylor County Democrat (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, March 15, 1894, p. 4
Holt Items
We are called upon to chronicle the sad death of Mrs. Lizzie Mitchell, wife of Louis Mitchell, at her home near Guss, on Friday, March 9, 1894, at 1 o'clock p. m., of lung fever. The deceased leaves a husband and two young children to mourn her loss. She was a member of the M. E. church at Hepburn, and was a loving wife and mother, loved by her many friends and neighbors for her kind and gentle manners and loving and amiable disposition. The remains were interred in Maple Grove cemetery, Saturday, amid the tears of many loving friends. The bereaved relatives have the full sympathy of the writer, whose family had been visited by the same cold hand of death but recently; but let us look upward and forward to the time we shall meet to part no more.

 

[MITCHELL, SILAS]
Taylor County Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, August 22, 1878, p. 3
Mr. Silas Mitchell, of Holt Township, died on Saturday, August 17th, from what was believed to be consumption. His death was not unexpected to his family and friends, as his recovery had been despaired of a week before. Mr. Mitchell was held in high esteem by all who knew him and in his death the community have sustained a loss that is most keenly felt. His family is mostly grown.

 

[MOATS, FLORENCE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Wednesday, March 11, 1903, [p. 1]
Florence, the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. A. [lva] W.  [H.] Moats, died of kidney trouble Friday and was buried Saturday in Maple Grove ceremony, Rev. T. P. Newland officiating. The parents tender their thanks to the kind friends who assisted them in their grief.

 

[MURPHY, HENRY GRANT "HARRY"]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, April 6, 1923, p. 5
Henry Grant Murphy, a resident in the Wm. Guss home near Guss for twenty-one years, died there Tuesday morning, his death resulting from acute indigestion. He was born in Illinois on July 11, 1863, and was 59 years old at death. He was never married. The funeral was held Thursday afternoon at the Guss home at 2 o'clock, Rev. A. J. Branson of Nodaway having charge of the services. Burial was in the Guss cemetery.

 

[MURPHY, HENRY GRANT "HARRY"]
Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa), Saturday, April 14, 1923, p. 7
Obituary – Harry G. Murphy, son of Benjamin H. and Narcissa Murphy, was born in Putnam County, Illinois, July 10, 1864, and passed from this life Tuesday morning, April 3, 1923, aged 58 years, 8 months and 24 days. He died at the home of his cousins, W. H. and Nettie E. Guss where he has lived for a number of years. When a child of eight years he came west with his parents, locating on the farm adjoining that of his present home where he grew to manhood. He later lived in Missouri for a number of years, returning to his present home about 23 years ago.

In 1902 he was converted and received into Guss Methodist church by Rev. Crofts and remained a member of this church to the end. He has been in declining health for some time but was sick only a few hours. He is survived by a half sister, Mrs. Fred Tanner of Corning, Iowa. His father, mother, two brothers and two sisters having preceded him in death. Funeral held April 5, 2 p. m. at the home, conducted by Rev. J. A. Branson of Nodaway. Interment in Guss cemetery.

 

[MURPHY, VIRGINIA A. OWEN HANKS]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, March 2, 1923, p. 4
GUSS NEWS
Mrs. B. [enjamin] Murphy, formerly of this place but who has been making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Fred Tanner, died Saturday. Interment was in the Guss cemetery Tuesday afternoon.

 

[MURPHY, VIRGINIA A. OWEN HANKS]
  Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa), Saturday, March 3, 1923, p. 3
Virginia A. Owen, daughter of Lloyd and Nancy Owen, was born near Madison, Indiana, October 27, 1852 and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fred Tanner Saturday morning Feb. 24th, after a brief illness of pneumonia. When a child of two years she came with her parents to Clarinda, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood and was united in marriage to Jerome Hanks September 16th, 1871. To this union one child was born, Mrs. E. M. Woods, of Corning, who survives her. Later Mrs. Hanks moved to Hawleyville, Iowa, where she was united in a second marriage to Benjamin H. Murphy March 1, 1877. The result of this union was one daughter, Mrs. Maude Tanner, at whose home Mrs. Murphy passed away. In the tender years of childhood the subject of this sketch was converted and joined the M. E. church at Clarinda, living a consistent Christian, very careful to direct those of her household in their Christian duty. Her love and friendship were of that beautiful, enduring type one must know to appreciate. Beside her two daughters she is survived by five grandchildren and two great grandchildren; also one brother, Arthur B. Owen of Springfield, Mo., the last remaining member of her family, who was present for the funeral service held from the F. N. Tanner residence Tuesday 2 p. m. Burial in Guss cemetery near her former home.

 

[MURPHY, VIRGINIA A. OWEN HANKS]
Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa), Saturday, March 3, 1923, p. 3
Merle Woods came from Des Moines last Friday evening for a short visit at the home of his mother here and to attend the funeral of his grandmother, Mrs. Benjamin H. Murphy.

 

[NOBLES, GEORGE JAMES]
Clarinda Herald (Clarinda, Iowa), Friday, June 19, 1908, p. 7
New Market
Geo. Noble[s] died at the home of his daughter June 7, aged 91 years and 3 days. His wife died about forty years ago and since then he has made his home with his only living child, Mrs. L. C. Collier. Funeral services were conducted at the house Monday at 9:30 a. m., with interment at Guss cemetery.

[NOBLES, GEORGE JAMES]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, June 11, 1908, p. 4
Guss Items
Uncle George Noble[s] of New Market was buried in the Guss cemetery Monday afternoon at 1 o'clock. He was 92 years old. The family has our sympathy.

 

[PERSHING, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, July 7, 1949, p. 6
Benjamin Pershing – Benjamine [Benjamin] Franklin Pershing, son of Abraham and Mary Pershing, ] was born December 1, 1857 in Hancock County, Ill., and passed away at his home in Nodaway, Ia., on June 29, 1949 at the age of 91 years. There was no sickness or suffering, the earthly house just gave out from age.

When he was 21, he came with his parents to Iowa where he spent the rest of his life except for a few years he spent working in Illinois.

On September 17, 1879 he was united in marriage to Lavanche Gaddis. To this union 8 children were born, Everett, Allen, Tracy, Jennie, Lottie, Chester, Estella and Clyde.

Everett, Allen and Lottie preceded their father in death.

He joined the Methodist church in Olena, Illinois, in Henderson County, at the age of 24, while working there. Though they came back to Iowa again, he never moved his membership, as he expected to take his family back to Illinois for some time.

When they returned to Iowa, they went to the home farm a mile west of Guss. They lived there for 35 years, then moved to the Nodaway vicinity, where they have lived ever since.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife; 3 sons, Tracy of New Market, Chester of Des Moines and Clyde of Villisca. Two daughters, Mrs. Jennie McAlpin of New Market and Mrs. Estella Goldsmith of Seattle, Wash. Two sisters, Mrs. Ella Wilcox, Clarinda and Mrs. Bessie McHenry of Los Angeles, Calif. There are also 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

The funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the church in Guss with Rev. C. M. Rowe in charge. The pallbearers were Alvin Pershing, Carter Pershing, Hillard Diggs, Bill McAlpin, Max McAlpin and Arthur Pershing. The singing was by Cecil Weaver accompanied by Mrs. Frances Wheeler. Interment was in the family lot in the Guss cemetery.

 

[PERSHING, LAVANCHIE GADDIS]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, April 16, 1959, p. 7
Mrs. Benjamin Pershing – Funeral services for Mrs. Benjamin Pershing, 101, were held at 2:00 p. m., April 9, 1959 at the Sutphen Funeral Home, with the Rev. Paul C. Ellis officiating. Pallbearers were Wayne Rogers, Bill Gordon, Max McAlpin, Bill McAlpin, Alvin Pershing and Hildred Diggs. Flower bearers were Mrs. Bertha Miller and Mrs. Pearl Danielson. Instrumental music was rendered by Mrs. Mabel Dunn and interment was in the Guss Cemetery.

Lavanchie Pershing, daughter of Allen and Mary Gaddis was born March 16, 1858 in Illinois and passed away at the West Portal Nursing Home in Clarinda, April 7, 1959 at the age of 101 years and 23 days. On Sept. 25, 1878 she was united in marriage to Benjamin Pershing. Eight children were born to this union.

She was preceded in death by her husband who passed away June 30, 1949; two sons, Everett and Allen, and one daughter Lottie. Surviving are three sons, Clyde of Villisca, Iowa; Chester of Des Moines; Trace of New Market; two daughters, Stella (Mrs. Oliver Goldsmith) of Seattle, Washington; Jennie (Mrs. Earl McAlpin) of New Market; She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. Neel Jewell of Lincoln. Twenty grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

The death of Mrs. Lavanchie Pershing has brought to a close a remarkable life of one of Taylor County's oldest and esteemed citizens. Few persons can claim a life span of 101 years but such was hers.

Born in Illinois, she came to Taylor County at an early age with her parents, who located on a farm near Guss. There she grew to womanhood and married Benjamin Pershing who was her companion for over 70 years. Following their marriage, they established their home in Illinois, but some years late[r] returned to Taylor County and settled on a farm near Guss which was their home for many years and where they reared their family of eight children. Later they farmed for a short time near Nodaway, Iowa and then retired to their home in Nodaway. Following the death of her husband and despite advanced years, she maintained her own home until about eight years ago when she entered a nursing home at Clarinda where she passed away.

Early in youth Mrs. Pershing united with the Methodist Church, her membership being at the Guss Church.

She was a devoted wife and mother; her family and home being her first consideration, but always time for neighborly kindness and help wherever there was need. She exemplified her Christian faith in every day living by the patience and fortitude with which she met each challenge, leaving a memory to be cherished by family and friends.

Mrs. Pershing accepted the infirmity and disability of her declining years with grace and cheerfulness that endeared her, not only to her family but to all who administered to her.
[Note: Correct marriage date is September 17, 1879.  Source: Iowa, Select Marriages Index, 1758-1996 and Benjamin Pershing's obituary.]

 

 

 

 

[ROCK, ANNA MARGARET MAHR]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, July 15, 1927, [p. 1], 5
Mrs. Anna M. Rock
Mrs. Anna Margaret Rock, pioneer resident of Guss vicinity, died Saturday evening at her home, falling asleep during the afternoon and peacefully passing away at 9 o'clock.

Anna Margaret Mahr, daughter of Peter and Mary Mahr, was born near Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 23, 1845 and was 81 years old at her death. At the age of six months she came with her parents, two brothers and one sister to Fairview, Ill., where nine months later her mother died. She was reared in the home of her grandparents.

She was married to Lewis Rock at Canton, Ill., on March 12, 1868, and they lived in Illinois until 1880 when they moved to the Guss vicinity. To this union were born one daughter, now Mrs. Louise M. Clement of Guss, and one son, L. [ewis] William Rock of Villisca. The husband and father died August 18, 1909.

Mrs. Rock was a member of the Methodist church of Guss. Her funeral was held there Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock, with Rev. L. B. Carpenter in charge of the service. The singing was by a special choir selected for the occasion, and the pallbearers were Clint Andrew, Geo. Walter, L. O. Hess, Harve Hoffman, B. E. Maxwell and Thos. Van Alstine. Interment was in the Guss cemetery beside the husband of the deceased.

Besides her children Mrs. Rock leaves a half-sister, Mrs. Louise Cunningham, and a half-brother, Andrew Mahr, of Fairview, Ill., five grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mahr were here to attend the funeral.

 

[ROCK, JOHANN LUDWIG "LEWIS"]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, August 26, 1909, p. 2
Died At Guss
Lewis Rock died at his home in Taylor County, one mile north and three quarters of a mile east of Guss, Wednesday, August 18, 1909. His death, being due to heart trouble, came almost instantaneously. He was pitching grain in the field when he remarked to one of the men working with him that he did not feel well and in a few minutes was dead. Mr. Rock was a native of Germany. He was born in Hessin Darmstadt, Germany October 23, 1844, and at the time of his death was 64 years, 9 months and 25 days old. He came to this country with his parents in the year 1855 and settled in Fulton County, Ill. Mr. Rock was married to Anna Margaret Mahr, March 12, 1868, and to this union two children were born, one daughter and one son. He moved with his family to this state in the spring of 1880 and settled on the farm in Taylor County where the family have since lived and where he died.

The deceased leaves one sister and three brothers who live in Illinois. They were present to attend the funeral. Also one niece and two nephews came from Illinois to be present at the obsequies.

Mr. Rock was a highly respected citizen in the community where he lived. He leaves a large number of mourning friends besides a bereft wife and his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Clement, and son Wm. Rock.

The funeral was held Saturday, August 21, from the Maple Grove church, conducted by Rev. C. A. Carlson, pastor of the M. E. church at Nodaway. Interment was in the Guss cemetery.

[ROCK, JOHANN LUDWIG "LEWIS", 1844 - 1909]
Bedford Times-Republican (Bedford, Iowa), Thursday, August 26, 1909
Louis Rock Killed by Heat
Farmer Near Guss Succumbs While Pitching Hay
Louis Rock, who lived near Guss, was overcome by the heat while pitching grain onto a wagon. He quit and layed in the shade awhile and feeling better resumed work but later died from the effects.
His four brothers Andrew, J. M., Simon and Arthur Rock of Piatt, Ill., and his two sisters, Miss Emma Rock and Mrs. Conrad Heller, attended the funeral.
Mr. Rock was an old resident and highly respected by all who knew him. He was 70 years of age.

[ROCK, JOHANN LUDWIG "LEWIS", 1844 - 1909]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, August 26, 1909
GUSS – The funeral of Mr. Rock was held at the church Saturday at two o'clock conducted by Rev. Carlson. Mr. Rock was an old settler and had lived here many years. He was a good Christian man, one who was loved by his friends and neighbors. The relatives have our deepest sympathy in their loss.

 

[ROCK, LEWIS WILLIAM]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, November 7, 1946, p. 6
Hold Last Rites For William Rock, Pioneer At Guss
Funeral services for William Rock who died Saturday at his home in the Guss community, were held there Monday at 2 p. m., with the Rev. E. M. Buehler of Villisca, the Rev. Carl Stiefel of Nodaway and the Rev. Ernest Stewart, former Nodaway pastor, in charge. The singing was by Cecil Weaver, accompanied by Mrs. Mary Buehler, and those in charge of the flowers were Gertrude Cordes, Myra Andrew and Mrs. Harry Shipley.

The pallbearers were Gilbert Brannan, Scott Curtis, Wesley Johnson, Joe Groff, John Groff and Harve Hoffman, and those serving as honorary pallbearers were T. J. Wright, R. G. Muckey, Everett Maxwell, John Stamps, Clyde Long, Frank Kimpton and Louis Buss. Interment was in the Guss cemetery. The Pitman funeral home had charge of the funeral arrangements.

Lewis William Rock, son of Lewis and Margaret Rock, was born July 27, 1875, in Fulton County, Ill., and was 71 years old at his death.

He came with his parents to Taylor County, Iowa, in the spring of 1880, residing in the Guss vicinity where he grew to manhood and on April 26, 1899, he was united in marriage to Emma Werner, also of the Guss vicinity. To this union were born two children, a daughter, Mrs. Vern Lewis of Villisca, and a son, Wayne of Guss.

Mr. Rock spent his entire life on farms in the Guss neighborhood, with the exception of three years when he lived in Villisca. In his youth he affiliated with the Methodist church of Guss where his membership remained.

He leaves, besides his wife and family, three grandchildren, Lola Jean and Billy Joe Rock and Dwight Lewis, also John O. Strack, now of Sioux Falls, S. Dak., who came to make his home with the family when a lad and remained until grown, a sister, Louisa Clement, two nephews, Clifton and Dale Clement, and a niece, Lena Emmert. Among other relatives are Gerald Werner and Mrs. Hollis Perrin with whom he shared his home for about a year.

 

[ROGERS, LYLE A.]
Adams County Free Press (Corning, Iowa), Wednesday, December 20, 1905, p. 6
Iveyville
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Rogers was buried at Guss last Saturday. Mrs. Rogers is a daughter of Mr. Alonzo Firkins.

 

[ROGERS, LYLE A.]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, December 21, 1905, p. 8
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. C. [harles] Rogers died last Thursday morning and was buried Saturday.

 

[ROGERS, OSCAR DALE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, June 3, 1909, p. 5
The little three months old baby of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Rogers living a half mile west of Guss died Monday night. The funeral was held yesterday at three o'clock at Guss. Interment was in the Maple Grove cemetery.

 

[ROSE, COMMODORE PERRY]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, August 27, 1920, p. 2
Commodore Perry Rose
Commodore Perry Rose, a resident of Villisca and the Guss neighborhood for half a century, died at his home on Third street Saturday morning at 7:20 o'clock, his death resulting from a stroke of apoplexy which he suffered on August 13, which affected his right arm and his tongue. From that time until his death he was not able to talk and could take only a very little nourishment. He had suffered previous strokes but the last was the most severe and on account of his age he was unable to withstand its effects.

He was born in Green County, Pennsylvania on Dec. 2, 1840 and was married to Miss Caroline Stevens [Stephens] at Monmouth, Ill., on Oct. 21, 1861. To this union one daughter, who preceded her father in death and four sons were born. The sons are Perry A., of Woodlake, Neb., who has been here for the last three months assisting in the care of his father, J. W. and L. J. of Omaha and F. C. of Wolbach, Neb. Besides the children, he leaves also his wife.

Mr. Rose came to Iowa and settled at Guss 44 years ago where he was engaged in farming until six years ago when he came to Villisca to make his home. He served nearly four years in the Civil war, and was a member of Company K, 28th Iowa infantry volunteers.

The funeral was held at the home on Third Street Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. E. S. Menoher having charge of the services and burial was in the Guss cemetery. Those who were here from a distance to attend the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. I. D. Pettegrew and Clyde B. Rose of Omaha, Mr. and Mrs. I. J. Dougal of Dunlap, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. Perry A. Rose and daughter Bernice of Woodlake, Neb., Perry Rose of Herman, Neb., and Mrs. F. C. Rose of Wolbach, Neb.

 

[ROSE, ELIZABETH CAROLINE STEPHENS]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, July 15, 1927, [p. 1]
Mrs. C. P. Rose
Mrs. C. P. Rose, pioneer resident of this vicinity, died in Marshalltown on Friday morning at 5:30 o'clock.

Elizabeth Caroline Stephens was born Feb. 2, 1842 in Green County, Pennsylvania, and was 85 years old at her death. She was married to C.[ommodore] P. [erry] Rose in Monmouth, Ill., on Oct. 21, 1861, and to this union were born five children, one of whom, a daughter, is deceased. Those living are Perry A. Rose, Wood Lake, Neb.; Will Rose, Omaha; Coy Rose, Cedar Rapids; and Leslie Rose, Villisca.

Mrs. Rose spent her early years in Green County, Pennsylvania and came from Monmouth to Iowa where she lived more than fifty years, most of which time was spent on a farm near Guss. For the last several years she was a resident of Villisca. She was preceded in death by her husband. Besides her sons she leaves also three brothers, fourteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

She was a member of the Methodist church. Her body was brought home Saturday and was taken to the A. B. Wolfe funeral home to await the funeral which was held there Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, with Rev. Geo. A. Lawton in charge of the service. The singing was by the Misses Georgia and Lucille Winter, with Miss Dorothy Peterson at the piano, and the pallbearers were sons and grandsons of the deceased. Interment was in the Guss cemetery.

 

[ROSE, FRAN COY]                       [ROSE, ANNA CHRISTENA LEE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, April 8, 1948, p. 5
Mr. and Mrs. Coy Rose Killed in Car Wreck
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Lee of the Guss vicinity received word Sunday afternoon that Mr. Lee's sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Coy Rose of Julesburg, Colorado had both been killed in an automobile accident. Mr. Lee, Carrol Gray and Earl Stephen left Tuesday for Julesburg to attend the funeral. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rose were former residents of the Guss community.

 

[ROSE, FRAN COY]                       [ROSE, ANNA CHRISTENA LEE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, April 15, 1948, [p. 1]
Attend Funeral of Car Accident Victims
Julius Fengel of Villisca and Wm. Lee, Earl Stephen and Carrol Gray of the Guss vicinity arrived home Thursday from Julesburg, Colo., where they had been to attend the funeral of Mr. and Mrs. Coy Rose of Julesburg who were fatally injured in an automobile accident Saturday night, April 3, when their car overturned on a highway near there.

Mrs. Rose was a cousin of Wm. Lee and cousin of Julius Fengel. Her skill was fractured when she was thrown through the top of the car, killing her instantly and Mr. Rose died Sunday morning. A broken rib punctured one of his lungs. Double funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at Julesburg.

Mr. Rose, 75, and Mrs. Rose, 76, were former residents of the Guss vicinity.

 

[ROSE, LESLIE J.]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, December 26, 1957, p. 5
Leslie J. Rose – Leslie J. Rose, 75, a farmer in the Guss vicinity nearly all of his life, died Dec. 22 at 9 p. m. in Douglas County Hospital, Omaha, following a two years illness.

Leslie was born Feb. 18, 1882 to C. [ommodore] P. [erry] Rose and Elizabeth Stephens Rose in Taylor County near Guss, Ia. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held this Thursday at 1 p. m. at the Wolfe Funeral Home with the Rev. Paul C. Ellis in charge.

Music was by Icle Fisher, soloist and Mable Dunn, organist.

Burial was in the Guss cemetery.

 

[RUSSELL, JASPER FRANKLIN "FRANK"]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, December 6, 1906, [p. 1]
Death of J. F. Russell
After over one year of poor health, during which time every effort was made to lessen his suffering and ameliorate his condition, Mr. Jasper Franklin Russell died at the home of his mother in the east part of this city last Saturday morning at half past six o'clock, aged 25 years, 3 months and 15 days. Bright's disease was the cause of his death.

He was born in Taylor County, Iowa, and had only lived in this city since November 21, 1906. He leaves a mother, five brothers and three sisters, his father having died six years ago. The relatives living are: Mother, Mrs. Mary Russell; brothers, Timothy, William, Clay, Albert, and Harry, now of Villisca; sisters, Mrs. L. Wright, who lives ten miles northeast of Villisca, Mrs. Sofa Moran of one mile west of Clarinda, and Miss May Russell of Villisca. All were present at the funeral.

Funeral services were held at the home Sunday at half past nine o'clock by Elder H. D. Fillmore. The body was laid to rest in the Guss cemetery. The bereaved and sorrowing relatives have the sympathy of the entire community.

 

[RUSSELL, JASPER FRANKLIN "FRANK"]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, December 6, 1906, p. 4
Frank Russell, who died at his home in Villisca Saturday morning of dropsy, was buried in the Brown cemetery Sunday afternoon by the side of his father. Mr. Russell formerly lived near Henshaw, three miles west of Guss.

 

[RUSSELL, MARY CATHERINE MCKNIGHT]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, June 17, 1921, [p. 1], 4
Mrs. Mary C. Russell – Mrs. Mary C. Russell died at 12:30 o'clock Monday afternoon at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fred Thorson, northwest of Villisca at the age of 73 years, her death resulting from heart trouble.

Mary C. [atherine] McKnight was born at Albany, Ind., on January 27, 1848, and was married to Christopher Russell on Nov. 7, 1873. To them nine children were born, eight of whom are living. They are T. [imothy] C. Russell, Thayer, Kas.; Mrs. Lula Wright, Flasher, N. D.; Albert Russell, Nodaway; Mrs. Albert Moran, Mrs. Fred Thorson, William, Clay and Harry Russell, Villisca.

Mrs. Russell's husband died on Dec. 14, 1900, and she came to this vicinity about fifteen years ago. Besides her children she leaves also seventeen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was a member of the Advent Christian church, having joined that organization twenty-five years ago.

The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Advent Christian church with Rev. S. H. Coleman in charge of the service. Burial was in the Guss cemetery.
[Note: Indiana, Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993 gives the marriage date as Oct. 7, 1874 in Harrison County, Indiana.]

 

[TALLMAN, ELIZABETH "BETSEY' JAYNE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Wednesday, March 4, 1903, [p. 1]
Elizabeth Pallman [Tallman] died of heart trouble at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. E. Rogers, near Guss Friday. The funeral services were from the house Sunday afternoon, Rev. L. B. Carpenter of Nodaway officiating, interment being in Maple Grove cemetery. Mrs. Pallman [Tallman] came here in December from Oklahoma and was sixty-eight years of age at the time of her demise.

 

[TANNER, LUELLA VIRGINIA NARCISSA JANE "JENNIE" REED]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, February 2, 1923, p. 10
The body of Mrs. Jennie Tanner, who was formerly a resident of the Guss vicinity, was taken through Villisca Saturday afternoon to Corning, and her funeral held in the church at Guss Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Tanner, whose death occurred Thursday of last week at Fremont, Neb., at the home of her daughter, Mrs. B. A. Dennis, left Guss about two years ago.

 

[TANNER, LUELLA VIRGINIA NARCISSA JANE "JENNIE" REED]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, February 2, 1923, p. 2
Guss News
The funeral of Mrs. Jenny Tanner was held Sunday afternoon at two o'clock at the church, she having died in Fremont, Neb., at the home of her daughter, Mrs. B. A. Dennis. Interment was made in the Guss cemetery.

 

[WEBBER, FRED AUGUSTUS "TEDDY"]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Wednesday, June 16, 1915, p. 6
Funeral of Freddie Weber Held at Nodaway Tuesday of Last Week—the Circumstance of His Death Were Indeed Sad
The remains of little Fred A., the baby boy of Mr. and Mrs. Otto T. Weber [Webber], St. Louis, Missouri, were brought to Nodaway June 8, accompanied by his parents, brother Winston, and aunt, Miss Emma Westphal, and taken to the home of his grandmother, Mrs. August Westphal, where many friends were gathered and funeral services were held, Rev. Pfattzgraff of Griswold speaking comforting words to the bereaved. Afterward the little body was taken to the Guss cemetery and laid away beside his grandfather who passed away just a year before. Little Teddy, as he was commonly called, was 3 years, 9 months and 4 days old, when he was drowned in the river, St. Louis County, Missouri, May 31, 1915.

The tragedy followed the overturning of a canoe in which a hired boatman undertook to convey the parents and their two children across a flooded cornfield to the boathouse and back to the landing. In turning to go back the boatman rowed too near the current of the main stream and the boat was swept against the limb of a tree and overturned. All were entirely submerged for some time. Mrs. Weber grasped a limb under water and when she rose to the surface she saw one child between the parents, both reached for it and the three held together until rescued.

The younger child, Teddy, had been swept farther out in the stream out of reach of both father and mother. The remains were not found until one week later about five miles from the place the accident occurred.
[Note:  The last name is spelled Webber on his headstone.]

 

[WERNER, ELIZABETH PHILIPINA CHRISTINA STRACK]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, June 20, 1924, p. 4
Mrs. Adam Werner – Mrs. Adam Werner, for more than forty years a resident of Villisca and vicinity, died of cancer at her home in this city Tuesday morning at [?] o'clock after [an] illness of several weeks.

Elizabeth Philipina Christina Strack was born in Germany on Dec. 29, 1864 and was 59 years old at her death. She came with her parents to America in 1881, residing in Chicago, where a year after her arrival she was sought out by her childhood friend, Adam Werner, with whom she was united in marriage on January 1, 1882. To this union were born three children, all of whom survive. They are Mrs. Will Rock, Albert and Estley Werner, all of whom were with their mother at her death.

Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Werner resided two years in Page County and then moved to Taylor County where for thirty-three years they lived on the same farm southeast of Villisca, moving from there to this city to make their home in 1916.

She was a member of the Evangelical church, which she joined in 1886 and she and her husband with some of their neighbors established a class in that faith in the neighborhood in which they lived in Taylor County.

Besides her husband and children Mrs. Werner is survived by her sister, Mrs. Chas. Opitz of Clarinda, two brothers, George of Chicago and Phillip of Los Angeles, a stepmother, three stepbrothers, a stepsister and six grandchildren.

The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Methodist church, with Rev. J. L. Boyd in charge of the service. The singing was by Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Shane and Mr. and Mrs. Albert F. Davie, and the pallbearers were John and Peter Opitz of Clarinda and Verne Lewis, Chas. Rogers, Frank and Walter Peterson of Villisca. Interment was in the Guss cemetery.

 

[WERNER, ESTLEY WILLIE]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, February 19, 1987, p. 10
Estley Willie Werner – Funeral services for Estley Willie Werner were held Saturday, February 14, 1987, at 10 a. m. at the Sutphen Funeral Home in Villisca, Ia.

Officiating the ceremony was the Reverend Sandra Wainwright.

Casket bearers were Max Gray, Leo Miller, Joe Copelin, Jim Olenius, Jim Milligan and Gerald Maxwell.

Music was by Mrs. Willard White and Sheri Berggren.

Interment was in Maple Grove Cemetery, Guss, Ia.

Estley Willie Werner, son of Adam and Christina Strack Werner was born August 12 1894 in rural Taylor County, Ia., and entered into rest February 10, 1987, at the Heritage Health Care Center, Gering, Ne., at the age of 92 years, 5 months and 28 days.

On January 5, 1916, he was united in marriage with Ione Rae Muckey. To this union two children were born. They lived on the family farm for 34 years, then, due to failing health, moved to Cheyenne, Wy., where Estley drove a taxicab and worked for the Air National Guard until he retired.

In 1983 they moved to Gering, Ne., to make their home with their daughter, and in 1985 Estley moved into the Heritage Health Care Center at Gering.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ione, a brother Albert Werner, a sister Emma Rock and one great granddaughter.

Estley is survived by his daughter Wilma Selley and her husband Roy of Gering, Ne., his son Yale Werner and his wife Virginia of Las Vegas, Nv., 6 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 2 nieces and 1 nephew.

 

[WERNER, IONE RAE MUCKEY]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Thursday, December 13, 1984, p. 7
Ione Rae Werner – Ione Rae Werner, the daughter of Curry and Anna Shum Muckey, was born December 10, 1894 in Page county, Iowa; and passed away at Gering, Ne., on December 1, 1984, at the age of eighty-nine.

As a small child she moved to Taylor County, Ia., where she lived until her marriage on January 5, 1916, to Estley Willie Werner. They farmed his family farm for thirty-four years, then moved to Cheyenne, Wy. in 1950. Due to ill health, they moved to the home of her daughter and son-in-law in August of 1983, at Gering, Ne.

Survivors include her husband Estley; daughter Wilma, and husband Roy Selley of Gering, Ne.; son Yale and wife Virginia of Las Vegas, Nv.; six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren; one niece and one great niece.

Services were held December 5, 1984 at the Sutphen Funeral Home with the Reverend Steven Wainwright officiating. Casket bearers were Gerald Maxwell, Dwight Lewis, Marvin Peterson, Gail Hampel, Max Gray and Joe Copelin. Flower bearers wee Mr. and Mrs. Paul Firkins. Music was by Mrs. Willard White at the organ, with the selections "In the Garden," and "The Old Rugged Cross." Mrs. Willis Marvick was at the memory book.

Interment was in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Guss.

 

[WERNER, JOHN ADAM]
Villisca Review (Villisca, Iowa), Friday, January 27, 1933, [p. 1]
John Adam Werner Dies At Age of 80 At Daughter's Home
John Adam Werner, 80, a resident of Taylor and Montgomery counties for many years, died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Will Rock, in the Guss vicinity.

The funeral services were held at 2 p. m. Monday in the Guss Methodist church and were conducted by the Rev. Arthur M. Eastman, pastor of the Corning Methodist church. He was assisted by the Rev. L. B. Carpenter of Villisca. Interment was made in the Guss cemetery. Two solos were sung during the service by Mrs. Carroll Brown of Corning and the pallbearers were John Cordes, Charles Posten, Glen Kunce, Don Fiddler, Had Shipley and Chas. Cordes.

John Adam Werner was born April 26, 1852 in Nassau, Germany, and came to this county when a young man. He was united in marriage to Miss Christina Strack on January 1, 1872, in Chicago. They came to Page County, Iowa, where they resided for two years, then moved to Taylor County where they lived until 1916 when they moved to Villisca. They made their home here until Mrs. Werner's death in 1924.

To this union three children were born, Mrs. Emma Rock, Estel Werner and Albert Werner who preceded his father in death five years ago. Mr. Werner was a member of the Evangelical church until he moved to Villisca where he changed his membership to the Methodist Episcopal church.

He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Emma Rock, his son Estle Werner and seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
[Note: Correct marriage date is January 1, 1882, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Source: Cook County, Illinois, Marriages Index, 1871-1920 and Illinois, Marriage Index, 1860-1920.]