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

 [Morgan, Daniel]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday    August 19, 1913

Gravity

Daniel Morgan, who has been sick all summer, died Thursday afternoon.  Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 from the home.  Interment was made in Gravity cemetery.

[Morgan, Daniel]

Times-Republican

Thursday     August 28, 1913

Gravity

Daniel Morgan died Thursday at 2 oÕclock after a long and suffering illness.  The funeral services were held from the home Saturday at 2:30 p. m., conducted by Rev. W. H. Shipman and assisted by Rev. W. L. Dunlavy.  Interment was at Gravity cemetery.

[Morgan, Daniel]

Bedford Free Press

Tuesday    August 26, 1913

Daniel Morgan

Daniel Morgan, an old settler of the county, and a highly respected citizen of Washington Township for many years, died at his home in Gravity last Thursday afternoon.

He was born in Licking County, Ohio, November 24, 1828.  He moved from Ohio at the age of about 15, to Fulton County, Illinois.  He was married in Cuba, Illinois, March 29, 1854, to Miss Nancy [Ann] Warriner, who survives him.

He lived in Knox County, Illinois, for three years.  From Cuba he moved in 1866 to Hawleyville, Iowa, where he remained one winter, and then settled on the farm six miles northwest of Gravity where he lived until he removed to his residence in Gravity.

He reared a family of twelve children, two of these, Marshall and Clyde died, the others are living and are: Clarence, living west of Bedford; Daniel, Humansville, Mo.; Mrs. Olive Anderson, near Gravity; Mrs. Tabitha [Ellen] Marshall, Conway; Jesse, Gravity; Joe, north of Gravity; Mrs. Effie Sharp, Corning; Charles [Preston], Brownsville, Pa., and Cecil [Ray], Gravity.

The relatives were nearly all present at the funeral, which was held at the family home in the north part of town at 2:30 Saturday afternoon.  The funeral service was in charge of Rev. Shipman of the Methodist church, assisted by Dr. Dunlavy, an old time friend of the Morgan family, and Rev. Wade of the Christian church.

The body was laid to rest in the Gravity cemetery.

[Morgan, Daniel]

Times-Republican

Thursday     August 28, 1913

Gravity

Dan Morgan left Monday for his home at Humansville, Mo., after attending his fatherÕs funeral here.

[Morgan, Joseph E.]

Thursday     December 6, 1956    p. 6

Obituary – J. E. Morgan

Joseph E. Morgan, 87, son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Morgan [Nancy Ann Warriner] and a long-time resident of Taylor County, died at his home northwest of Gravity, Sunday, Nov. 25, after a short illness.

He was married to Norma B. Swearingen of Lewistown, Ill., Oct. 9, 1892.

He is survived by his wife and four children, Earl and Leland of Gravity, Mrs. Iva McPherren of Glenwood, Wayne of Newton, Iowa.

There are seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

He is one of a family of eleven; a sister, Mrs. Effie Fields of Waterloo, Iowa and a brother, Cecil [Ray] Morgan of Gravity survive.

Mr. and Mrs. Morgan observed their 64th wedding anniversary in October at their farm home, where they had resided since their marriage.

Funeral services were held at Oak Hill church Nov. 27, conducted by Rev. Roland M. Wendell of Cromwell.  Interment in Washington cemetery, Gravity.

[Morgan, Norma Swearingen]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 19, 1957    p. 7

Mrs. Joe Morgan Dies At Rest Home

Mrs. Norma Morgan, a resident of the Gravity community for many years, died Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Mrs. Perry Williams Rest Home in Bedford, where she had been cared for since December first.

Funeral services were held at the Oak Hill church north of Gravity, Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Roland Wendell of Cromwell, Iowa.   Burial in Washington cemetery at Gravity.

Mrs. Morgan was born in Fulton County, Ill., Dec. 23, 1873 and died at the age of 83 years, eight months, 21 days.

She was married to Joseph E. Morgan of Gravity on October 9, 1892.  Mr. Morgan preceded her in death.

She is survived by four children, Earl and Leland of Gravity, Iva of Glenwood, Wayne of Newton, Iowa.  There are seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Mr. and Mrs. Morgan lived on their farm five miles northwest of Gravity their entire married life.  She was a charter member of the Oak Hill church.

[Morgan, Clarence H.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 4, 1943    p. 4

Clarence Morgan Dies In Bedford

Clarence [H.] Morgan, long time resident of this community, died at the Terrill Hospital-Home in Bedford Monday, February 1.

The funeral services were held at the Walker & Shum Funeral Home Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. H. Hallgrimson.  Burial in the Graceland cemetery.

Clarence, second son of Daniel and Nancy [Ann Warriner] Morgan, was born in Fulton County, Illinois, October 5, 1857, being aged 85 years, 3 months and 26 days at the time of his death.

When but a young boy he came to Iowa with his father, mother and three sisters.  The family was among the early pioneers who settled and helped to develop Holt Township, in north Taylor County.

Here he grew to manhood and in the year 1883, he was married to Miss Lottie Clark.  For a few years they resided near his old home, then he and his wife made a new home west of Bedford, where they were living when his wife died in 1916.

Soon afterwards he left the farm home, moving to Bedford where he established a new home for himself.   He united with the Christian church in Bedford and was always a loyal and faithful member.

On his eighty-third birthday anniversary he became seriously ill.  For a few weeks he was cared for in his home, then was taken to the Terrill Nursing Home, where he remained until the time of his death.

He is survived by four brothers:  Daniel W. [illiam] Morgan of Springfield, Mo., Jess C. Morgan of Omaha, Joe Morgan and Cecil [Ray] Morgan of Gravity; four sisters, Mrs. Olive Anderson of Waterloo, Mrs. Sarah Martin of Gravity, Mrs. Tabitha [Ellen] Marshall of Bedford and Mrs. Effie Fields of Clear Lake.

Three brothers, Marshall, Clyde and Charles, preceded him in death.

[Morgan, Frank]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday      January 22, 1942    p. 5

Mrs. RussellÕs Brother, Frank Morgan, Dies

Frank Morgan, 57, a brother of Mrs. Ida Russell of Bedford, died unexpectedly at his home in Omaha early Monday morning.  The funeral services were held in Omaha Wednesday afternoon and burial was made there.

He is a former resident of Bedford, being a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tom Morgan.  He was born in Bedford in August 1884 and lived here until 1905.

The surviving relatives are his wife, two daughters and a son-in-law, all of Omaha; and two sisters, Mrs. Russell of Bedford and Mrs. Bertha Bennett of Spencer, Iowa.

 [Longfellow, Eula May Hunter]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     November 1, 1934    [p. 1]

Here For Funeral

Among those from out-of-town who were here to attend the funeral services for Mrs. Frank Longfellow [Eula May Hunter] Friday afternoon, included Mrs. Lucy Brown, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Kirchner, Mr. and Mrs. James Elder, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Elder, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Elder, Mr. and Mrs. Charley Elder, of Nichols, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. Harry Brown of Muscatine; Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Elder, of West Liberty, Iowa; Mrs. Carl Felton and Dorothy, L. A. Longfellow, and Mrs. Alva Clark of Omaha; Rev. Roy C. Longfellow of Churdan, Iowa; Mrs. Paul Hunter, and Mr. and Mrs. John Hunter of Grand Island, Nebr.

[Longfellow, Earl Christian]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday     August 17, 1978    p. 4

Rev. Earl Longfellow Services Are Held

Services were held August 3 at Immanuel Baptist Church for the Rev. Earl Christian Longfellow.  Burial was in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Longfellow, 64, of 4933 Browne St., died Tuesday of cancer.

Rev. Longfellow was the son of Charles [Elder]  and Mary [Talena] Streebin Longfellow.

He was a retired American Baptist minister who had served churches in Huron, S. D.; South Bend, Ind.; Des Moines and Washington, Iowa, and Kearney, Nebr.  He lived in Omaha for about the last 10 years and was a member of Immanuel Baptist.

He graduated from Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago.

Survivors include his wife, Jane [Ada Muir]; sons, Steve of Concordia, Kans.; Roy of Garden Grove, Calif.; Paul of Mission Viejo, Calif.; daughter, Mrs. Dean (Mary Jane) Fritz of Omaha; brother, Harry of Bedford, Iowa; and 12 grandchildren.

Those from Bedford attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Harry Longfellow, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Longfellow, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Longfellow, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Alan Longfellow, Mrs. Vivian Beemer, Mrs. Donna Walston.

[Longfellow, Roy C.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    September 11, 1969    p. 6

Last Rites Held In Denver For Roy Longfellow

Funeral services for the Rev. Roy C. Longfellow, 67, a retired Army chaplain, of Denver, formerly of Bedford, were held September 5 in the Hampden Hills Baptist Church in Denver.  Rev. Longfellow died September 2, in Denver.  Interment was at Fort Logan National Cemetery, with military honors.

The Rev. Mr. Longfellow, a lieutenant colonel when he retired in 1960, died unexpectedly Tuesday in Fitzsimons General Hospital.

He was born at Blockton, Iowa, April 3, 1902, and received his higher education at William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo. and Central Seminary, Kansas City, Kan.

In 1924 at Bedford, he married Elsie C. Marshall.

The Rev. Mr. Longfellow joined the Army as a chaplain in 1941 and was in the invasion of Oran, of Salerno and of southern France.   He later was staff chaplain in Italy, the Philippine Islands, Korea and Japan.

When he returned to the United States he was post chaplain at Fort Riley, Kan., and Ft. Sill, Lawton, Okla.  He retired Oct.  28, 1960.

He was a minister in the American Baptist Church.  After leaving the Army he served as chaplain for Baptist homes and as interim pastor for Baptist churches in Colorado.

He was a Mason and was senior chaplain of Civitan International, Denver Chapter, and of the Retired Officers Association.

The Rev. Mr. Longfellow is survived by his widow; three daughters, Mrs. Belva Dean Wiseman of Wichita Falls, Tex.; Mrs. Patricia L. Waters of Lancaster, Calif., and Mrs. Janet Casteel of Northglenn; his father, C. [harles] E. [lder] Longfellow, of Bedford; two brothers, Harry Longfellow of Blockton and Earl Longfellow of Omaha, Nebr., and nine grandchildren.

Among relatives attending the services were C. [harles] E. [lder] Longfellow and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Longfellow of Bedford and Mr. and Mrs. Earl Longfellow Omaha.

[Longfellow, Charles Vincent]

Iowa South-West

Saturday    August 30, 1879    p. 5

Died.---In Clayton Township, August 16th, 1879, of typhoid fever, Charles V.[incent] Longfellow, aged 25 years and ten months.

Deceased came to Taylor County from Muscatine County, in the fall of 1877 and farmed the McNear farm until his death.  He was a most exemplary young man, the soul of honor, a valuable citizen, a most dutiful and affectionate son, although but so recently a resident in our midst.  The large concourse of friends that attended the last sad rites on his grave, attest how great was the hold he had upon the esteem and kindly regards of his neighbors.  To know him was to esteem him.  Few are more worthy to live, none more ready to die.   Rest his soul in peace.

[Longfellow, James Henry]

Iowa South-West

Saturday    September 6, 1879    p. 3

Died

In Clayton Township, August 30th, of typhoid fever, James Henry Longfellow, aged 5 years and 7 months.

Deceased was buried in the BowersÕ burial grounds Sunday afternoon, August 31st.  A large concourse of friends attended the last sad rites.  Thus within two short weeks have the bereaved parents laid away in the silent tomb, their first and last born.

[Longfellow, Charles Vincent]                             [Longfellow, James Henry]

Bedford Argus

Thursday    November 6, 1879    p. 5

Funeral services in memory of the two sons (recently deceased) of Mr. and Mrs. [Lemuel Vincent] Longfellow [Mary Tabitha Purcell], of Clayton Township, will be held next Sunday afternoon at 2:30 oÕclock in the Bowers schoolhouse----Rev. C. W. Blodgett preaching the sermon.

[Longfellow, Mary Tabitha Purcell]

Times-Republican

Thursday    November 19, 1914    p. 1

Mrs. L. V. Longfellow

Mrs. L. [emuel] V. [incent] Longfellow died in St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 14, 1914.  The remains were brought to Bedford Wednesday.  Funeral services were held at the home of her grandson, J. [oseph] F. [reeman] Longfellow, Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. W. Goodsell.  Interment was made in the Bowers cemetery.

Mary Telitha [Tabitha] Purcell was born in Champagne County, Ohio, August 23, 1834.  In 1852 she was united in marriage to L. [emuel] V. [incent] Longfellow and moved to Iowa in 1858.  To this union were born seven children, only one of whom survive, J. [oseph] P. [urcell] Longfellow of Springfield, Mo.  The husband died March 21, 1900 [March 18, 1901].  At an early age she united with the Methodist Episcopal church and remained a faithful member.  Besides her son she leaves to mourn her death, one brother, George Purcell of Bedford, and sixteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were J. [oseph] P. [urcell] Longfellow of Springfield, Mo., Mrs. N. [elson] Longfellow of St. Joseph, L.[emuel] A.[lexander] Longfellow and family of Conway, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kyser and Mrs. Charles Worley of Hopkins.

[Note:  Mary LongfellowÕs middle name is given as Tabitha on her gravestone, which she shares with her husband.  Lemuel Vincent LongfellowÕs death date is given as March 18, 1901 on this gravestone.

Source:  Taylor County, Iowa Tombstone Inscriptions and Gravestone Photos on this website.]

[Longfellow, Mary Josephine Elder]

Bedford Free Press

Thursday    August 15, 1912

Mrs. J. P. Longfellow Dead

Mrs. J. [oseph] P. [urcell] Longfellow, mother of Joe F. [reeman] Longfellow of the Bedford National Bank, died at the home of her son, L. [emuel] A. [lexander] Longfellow, in Conway at 3:15 a. m. Saturday, aged 59 years, two months and twelve days, after a brief illness, the result of paralysis.

Mary Josephine Elder was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1853.  She came to Muscatine County, Iowa, in 1856, and on September 16, 1877, was united in marriage to J. [oseph] P. [urcell] Longfellow.  In 1859 she came to Taylor County, Iowa.  To Mr. and Mrs. Longfellow were born six sons and one daughter, the daughter passing away at the age of eight years.  The six sons, Lemuel A. [lexander] , Chas. E. [lder], Henry W. [adsworth], Joseph F.[reeman] , Thomas N. [elson], and Frank T. [ennyson], are all living in this county and were in attendance at the death bed and acted as pall bearers.  She also leaves two sisters, Mrs. Emma J. Coyner, of Muscatine, Iowa, and Mrs. Lucy Brown of Nichols, Iowa; and two brothers, Herman H. Elder and John E. Elder, both of Nichols, who mourn her departure.  All were present at the funeral.

Mrs. Longfellow was converted and united with the Methodist church when but fifteen years of age and lived and died a consistent Christian. She reared her family in her faith and they are all holding places of honor in the business world.  The deceased was the ideal of her children and was highly respected by all who knew her.

Funeral services were held from the Conway Methodist church on Sunday afternoon August 11, at one p. m., conducted by the pastor, Rev. H. H. Newman, W. H. OÕGrady being the undertaker in charge.  The services were largely attended by sympathizing friends and neighbors of the bereaved family.  The remains were taken to Bedford and interred in the Bedford cemetery.

[Longfellow, Mary Josephine Elder]

Times-Republican

Thursday    August 15, 1912

Mrs. Mary J. Longfellow

Mrs. Mary J. [osephine] Longfellow of Bedford died at the home of her son, L.[emuel] A. [lexander] Longfellow, in Conway at 3:15 oÕclock Saturday morning.  Funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal church in Conway at 1 oÕclock Sunday afternoon, conducted by the pastor, H. H. Newman.  The remains were brought to Bedford for interment.

Mrs. Longfellow had been a resident of Taylor County for fifty years and during the last year had been residing in Bedford with her son, J. [oseph] F. [reeman] Longfellow.  A few weeks ago she suffered a stroke of paralysis and since then she had been cared for in the home where she passed away.

Mary Josephine Elder was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1853.  The family came to Muscatine County, Iowa, in 1856, and to Taylor County in 1859.  She was married to J. [oseph] P. [urcell] Longfellow September 16, 1877.  They were the parents of six sons and one daughter, the latter having died at the age of 8 years.  The sons are Lemuel A. [lexander], Charles E. [lder], Henry W. [adsworth], Joseph F. [reeman], Thomas N. [elson], and Frank T.[ennyson], all residents of this county.  She is survived also by two sisters, Mrs. Emma J. Coyner of Muscatine, and Mrs. Lucy Brown of Nichols, and two brothers, Freeman H. Elder and John E. Elder, both of Nichols.

[Purcell, Evelina Belmont ÒEvaÓ Norton Robbins Litteer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 25, 1943    p. 3

Hopkins

Mrs. Purcell Dies

Mrs. L. [emuel] E. [ldredge] Purcell [Evelina Belmont Norton Robbins], 71, died Saturday morning, Feb. 20, at the home of her daughter  and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Filson.  She had been cared for at the Filson home since October.  Rev. O. S. Lincoln, pastor of the Hopkins Christian church, conducted the funeral rites at Bedford Monday.

[Purcell, Evelina Belmont ÒEvaÓ Norton Robbins Litteer]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 25, 1943    [p. 1]

Mrs. L. E. Purcell Dies In Hopkins

Mrs. L. [emuel] E. [ldredge] Purcell, a resident of Bedford and Taylor County for many years, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. [obert] C. Filson [Grace Belle] at Hopkins Saturday, February 20, after a long illness.  She suffered a stroke on August 1, 1942, from which she never recovered.

The funeral services were held at the Walker & Shum Funeral Home in Bedford Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. O. S. Lincoln of the Hopkins Christian church.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

Eva [lina] B. [elmont] Norton, daughter of Amos and Nancy [Ann Nelson] Norton, was born June 26, 1871, at Milan, Ill., being aged 71 years, 7 months and 24 days at the time of her death.  She moved with her parents to Taylor County when ten years of age, and had lived here almost continuously since that time.

On January 19, 1890 she was married to H. [ezekiah] A. [lexander] Robbins of North Salem, Indiana.  Mr. Robbins and four sons preceded her in death.  On June 7, 1941 she was married to L. [emuel] E. [ldredge] Purcell of Bedford, who survives.

She is also survived by three daughters:  Mrs. R. [obert] C. Filson [Grace Belle] of Hopkins, Mrs. L. [awrence] W. Pella [Stella] of Kansas City and Mrs. C. J. Crawford [Opal Litteer] of Blue Creek, Washington; three sons:  Beryl Robbins of Morrisville, Indiana, Arthur Robbins and Harry Robbins of Kansas City; a daughter-in-law, Mrs. Frank Robbins of Kansas City and one sister, Mrs. Paul Laipple [Marietta] of Hopkins; and seven grandchildren.

Mrs. Purcell united with the Church of Christ in March 1900 and remained true to her faith.

[Purcell, Evelina Belmont ÒEvaÓ Norton Robbins Litteer]

Maryville Daily Forum

Saturday     February 20, 1943     p. 1

Mrs. Eva N. Purcell Dies At Home of Her Daughter

Mrs. Eva Norton Purcell, a long time resident of Bedford, Ia., died at 5:30 oÕclock this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert Filson [Grace], in Hopkins, following a long illness.   She was 71 years old.  She had made her home in Bedford until last October 15, when she moved to her daughterÕs home in Hopkins.  She had suffered a stroke last August.

Mrs. Purcell was the daughter of Amos and Nancy [Ann Nelson] Norton and was born June 25, 1871, at Milan, Ill.   She moved with her parents to Taylor County, Iowa, when she was 10 years old.

On January 20, 1890, the former Eva Norton married H. [ezekiah] A. [lexander] Robbins of Bedford.  Mr. Robbins and four of their sons preceded her in death.  In 1941 she married L. [emuel] E. [ldredge] Purcell of Bedford, who survives.

Six children survive her.  They are three daughters, Mrs. Robert Filson [Grace Belle], Hopkins; Mrs. Stella Pella, Kansas City; Mrs. Opal [Litteer] Crawford, Blue Creek, Wash.; and three sons, Beryl Robbins, Indianapolis, Ind.; Arthur Robbins and Harry Robbins, both of Kansas City.

Other survivors are one sister, Mrs. Paul Laipole [Laipple] [Marietta] of Hopkins, and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services have been set tentatively for 2 oÕclock Monday afternoon at the Walker and Son funeral home in Bedford.  Rev. O. S. Lincoln of the First Christian church of Bedford will conduct the services.  Burial will be in the Bedford cemetery.

[Purcell, Evelina Belmont ÒEvaÓ Norton Robbins Litteer]

Maryville Daily Forum

Saturday    February 27, 1943     p. 2

Hopkins

Mr. and Mrs. L. [awrence] W. Pella [Stella Robbins], Donald L. Pella, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Robbins, Mrs. Frank Robbins and Harry R. Robbins returned to their homes in Kansas City, Tuesday after attending the funeral of their mother, Mrs. Eva Purcell, at Bedford Monday.

[Robbins, Harry R.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    April 10, 1947    [p. 1]

Harry Robbins, 39, Dies In St. Joseph

Harry [R.] Robbins, 39, a former resident of Bedford in his boyhood days, died in St. Joseph Friday, April 4 after a long illness.  The body was brought to Bedford and the funeral services were held at the Shum Funeral Home at one oÕclock Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Russell G. Nye.  Burial was in the Fairview cemetery.

Surviving relatives are two sisters, Mrs. R. [obert] C. (Grace) Filson of Hopkins and Mrs. L. [awrence] W. Pella [Stella] of Kansas City; two brothers, Beryl Robbins of Indianapolis and Arthur Robbins of Kansas City.

[Purcell, Lemuel Eldredge]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    January 23, 1958    [p. 1]

Last Rites Friday For L. E. Purcell

Funeral services were held Friday, January 17, for Lemuel E. [ldredge] Purcell at the Shum Funeral home in Bedford.  Rev. Colvin Caughey, pastor of the Bedford Baptist Church, officiated.  Burial was in Fairview cemetery.

Lemuel Eldredge Purcell, son of George [Webster] and Agnes [Mary Ann Eighme] Purcell, was born Oct. 14, 1869 at Indianapolis, and came to Iowa when a small boy.  He was known as a diligent worker in his trade as a painter.

He was the father of seven children, two of whom have preceded him in death.  They were James [Webster], who died in infancy, and a daughter, Mrs. Irene Miller, who died in 1950.  His surviving children are Mrs. [Sarah] Fonta Campain, Bedford; Mrs. Ruth [Agnes] Johannes, Golden, Colo.; Mrs. Janette [Beatrice] Dawson, Mrs. [Gertrude] Maxine Fredrickson, Council Bluffs; Lemuel A. [rthur] Purcell, Bedford.

[Purcell, George Webster, Jr.]

Bedford Times-Press

Thursday    February 20, 1930    [p. 1]

Bedford Painter Missing Two Days Found Dead Here

George Purcell, Painter and Paper Hanger By Trade

He Lived Alone

Found A Bullet Hole In His Temple, and Pet Dog Watching Over Him

George Purcell, 50 years old, painter, who lived in the northeast part of Bedford, was found dead at his home Saturday afternoon with a .22 caliber rifle bullet in his temple and the rifle hanging on a nail above him on the side of the wall, the barrel pointing downward.  It is very apparent he had lain down and pulled the trigger.

Mr. Purcell had not been seen since Thursday sometime, and Saturday afternoon county officers, at the request of neighbors, entered his home where he lived, and found his pet dog, and best friend, guarding his masterÕs body.

The cause of the act is thought by friends and relatives of the widower to be due to ill health.  It was very difficult for him to hear good, and therefore, with his illness, life probably became lonesome.

Obituary

George Webster Purcell, son of George W. [ebster] and Mary [Ann Eighme] Purcell, was born in Clayton Township, Taylor County, June 15, 1875, and departed this life from his home in Bedford, Iowa, on Thursday February 13, 1930, at the age of 54 years, 7 months and 28 days.  In the year 1889, on Jan. 28th, he was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Pancake, who has preceded him in death.  He was again united in marriage to Miss Marie McClure, who also preceded him in death.  He was again united in marriage to Mrs. Della Morris.  Those left to mourn his departure, are his brother, Mr. Lemuel [Eldredge] Purcell of Bedford, 7 nieces and 3 nephews.  Several brothers and sisters have preceded him in death.  Mr. Purcell was a painter by trade, and has worked at his profession and lived in Taylor County all his life, or nearly 55 years.

The funeral services were held in the Stithem Funeral Chapel Monday afternoon, at 2 oÕclock, conducted by Rev. Clark M. Crowell.  Interment was made in Fairview cemetery.