Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa obituaries
transcribed by: Lorelei Rusco - lorerus@iowatelecom.net
 

 

 

Abarr, Alvin John -

Alvin John Abarr, son of Daniel and Ann Maria Abarr, was born near Redding, Iowa, April 26, 1875 and passed away in

Rochester, Minn., June 7, 1951, at the age of 76 years, 1 month and 12 days.

 

He taught school for several years in Ringgold county, then enrolled in the Kansas City veterinary school where he

was graduated in 1906. He first practiced at Diagonal, later moving to Clearfield in 1912 where he continued his profession until 1946.

 

On March 17, 1907, he was united in marriage to Miss Bessie L. Harris, who passed away Jan. 12, 1936. To this union were born three children, Ardath of Kansas City, Mo., Helen Posten of Creston, Iowa, and Leland of Des Moines.

 

He was married to Leota Jackson, Nov. 6, 1937, and to this union a daughter was born. He is survived by his wife,

Leota, four children, nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren; also two sisters, Mrs. Effie Holland and Mrs. Belle Parker, both of Redding, and three brothers, M. L. Abarr, Albany, Mo., H. Abarr of Redding and R. D. Abarr of Blockton.

 

Dr. Abarr was interested in community affairs, serving on the board of education for 12 years. He was a member of the

Methodist church since early life and lived a consistent Christian life, loved by his family and respected by all who knew him.

 

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 11th, in the Methodist church in Clearfield with interment in the Clearfield cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 21, 1951

 

 

 

Connor, James D. –

From the Bedford Times-Press we take the following account of the death of a former Lenox resident.  James D. Connor, 88, died at his home here Sunday after a lingering illness.  Funeral services were held at the Sacred Heart Church in Bedford, Wednesday morning.  Rev. Reisz officiated with burial in Fairview cemetery.

 

Born near Bloomington, Illinois April 3, 1863, he went to Lenox with his parents when he was a small boy.  In 1889 he married Mary Greene of Clearfield and they moved to Bedford.  They were the parents of 10 children.

 

Survivors are his wife and children, George and Warren of Cumberland, Allen of Des Moines, Frances and Clara Hullinger of Bedford, Alyce Carmichael of Birdseye, Ind. Ansel of Clarinda and a brother M. S. Connor of Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday April 26, 1951

 

Dant, Leola Strain -

Leola Strain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David L. Strain, was born Nov. 4, 1875 near Monmouth, Ill., and departed this

life Sept. 28th, 1951 in her home in north Clearfield at the age of 75 years, 10 months and 24 days. 

 

In 1880 the family moved from Illinois to Iowa, locating on a farm south of Mt. Ayr. On Oct. 7, 1896, she was united in marriage to James B. Dant. They established their home nearby, later moving to Taylor county. To this union nine children were born: Mary Ellen who died in infancy; Nellie Barnes, Williamsburg, Kans.; George Dant, Kimballton; Martha Crites, Los Angeles, Calif.; LeRoy Dant, Walnut, Verne Dant, Clearfield; Florence Glade, Gravity; Mary Garrity, Afton, and Lemuel Dant, Bedford.

 

Mrs. Dant became a member of the Methodist church when 45 years of age and enjoyed all of the services of the church as

long as health permitted. She was also a member of the Woman's Relief Corps 343 of Clearfield.

 

Mrs. Dant’s life was one of devotion to her family and kindly deeds to others.

 

Besides the husband and children, 22 grandchildren and five great grandchildren survive. 

 

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Oct. 2nd at the Methodist church in Clearfield. Burial in Knowlton cemetery.

Attending the funeral services Tuesday of Mrs. James Dant were her eight children and their families and Mr. and

Mrs. L. C. Blake, New Market; Mr. and Mrs. C. Kimball, Corning; Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Gulick, New Market; Mr. and

Mrs. Gail Dalton and Mrs. Blanche Golliday, Benton; Mr. and Mrs. D. Maine, Mt. Ayr, Mrs. L. Huntley, Diagonal; Mr.

and Mrs. G. Snethen, Mt. Ayr; Mr. and Mrs. H. Barnes, Topeka, Kans., Mr. and Mrs. G. Barnes and C. Barnes, Ottawa, Kans., Mr. and Mrs. H. Moore, Kellerton; Mr. and Mrs. W. Crestonson, Walnut; Mrs. F. Burch, Elton Bruner, Conway; Mr. and

Mrs. R. Kneedher, Omaha, Neb.; Mrs. George Walton and Mrs. Effie Walton, Bedford, Mrs. Sally Chessar, Jamestown, N. Dak.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday October 11, 1951

 

Hawk, Alta Marie Jamison -

Alta Marie, daughter of John and Jennie Jamison, was born in Shanghi, Ill., Jan. 5, 1884, and passed away at the Methodist

hospital in Des Moines on June 26, 1951 at the age of 67 years, 5 months and 19 days. The family moved to Iowa,

locating near Clearfield, in 1895 where the children received their education in the public schools.

 

On April 5th, 1906, Alta M. Jamison and Delbert Hawk were united in marriage. They located near Clearfield on a farm, later moving to town. One son, Kenneth, was born to this union. The family moved to Creston from Clearfield, then to Des Moines.

 

Mrs. Hawk was of a happy disposition and was loved and respected by all who knew her.  She is survived by her husband

and son, one grandson  and the daughter-in-law, Mrs. K. Hawk, all of Des Moines; also one brother Tom Jamison of Clearfield, other relatives and many friends.

 

Last rites were held Thursday, June 28 at the Christian Church in Clearfield. Burial in Clearfield Cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 5, 1951

 

Hoover, Fred Clark -

Fred Clark Hoover was born in Wilsonville, Neb.. Jan. 22, 1886 and died at the St. Francis Hospital, Maryville, Mo. Sept.

1, 1951 at the age of 65 years, 7 months and 10 days.  In 1891 he moved with his family to College Springs, Iowa and in 1901 they came to Lenox, Iowa. Later he moved to Tingley, Iowa, then back to Lenox, Iowa and in 1937 he came to Sheridan, Mo. where he spent the rest of his life.

 

At an early age he became a member of the United Presbyterian Church at College Springs, Iowa.

 

A large part of his life was lived on the farm where he patiently and courageously met the hardships and problems of life.

On March 20, 1907 he was married to Martha Edwards of Lenox, Iowa. To this union were born three sons Kenneth, Rex

and Richard Dwight who died in infancy.

 

Besides his wife and two sons he leaves two daughter-in-laws, Lynna and Crystal, four grandchildren, Genevieve, Sharon,

Steven and Gregory. A sister, Mary Moyle of Lenox, Iowa, a brother, Harold of Portland, Oregon and other relatives.

He had a host of friends for he was kind and sought to do what was right.

 

His God has called him from this world into His beautiful and glorious kingdom. He doeth all things well and we who

mourn for him have a blessed memory of a life lived well, of one who was faithful to the duties of life.

[Poem]

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday September 13, 1951

 

 

 

 

Mainquist, Arthur E. -

A. E. Manquist, 67, who resided seven miles northeast of Lenox, died while attending a Farm Bureau meeting at the Stringtown church Sunday evening.  Death was attributed to a heart attack. Surviving are his wife, Lotus and two sons.

 

Funeral services were held today (Thursday) at the Stringtown church with graveside services and burial at Red Oak.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 10, 1951

 

Mainquist, Arthur E. -

Arthur E. Mainquist, son of Andrew and Christine Mainquist was born May 2, 1884 south of Red Oak, Iowa. He was married on January 26, 1910 to Bessie Emelia Olson who passed away Feb. 17, 1923. On May 5, 1944, be was married to Lotus E. Taylor, Nodaway, Iowa, who survives him.

 

Mr. Mainquist spent the greater part of his life on a farm south of Red Oak. In 1940 he purchased a farm near Lenox where he resided until his death.  He made many friends. He was regular in attendance and active in his church. He was a congenial and helpful neighbor. He participated in the Farm Bureau activities, a member of the Red Cross county board and was always interested in any civic affairs wherever he lived.  Mr. Mainquist was a member of the Stringtown Federated church where he passed away while taking an active part in the church program.

 

In addition to his wife, Lotus. he is survived by his two sons Vernon E. of Red Oak, Iowa and Paul A. and wife Bette of

Trenton, N. J.; three sisters, Mrs. Joel Lungren, Omaha, Neb.; Mrs. Nathan Lungren, Griswold, and Mrs. Bernard Seaburg, Red Oak; other relatives and a host of friends. A sister, Anna, and a brother, William, preceded him in death.

 

Services were conducted at the Stringtown Federated church, Thursday, May 10, at 1:30 p. m. by Dr. Guy J. Fansher

of Red Oak and at Bethlehem Lutheran church, Red Oak, on Thursday, May 10 at 3:30 p. m. by Rev. Frank Carlson. Music

was furnished by Rolland Buxton with Mrs. Norma Paymal at the piano. The pallbearers were Harold Smith, Glen Windom, Joe Brown, Allen Pine, Fred Stillinger, Harold Rundlett, Roy Bush and Harry Miller, interment was made in Evergreen cemetery, Red Oak.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday May 17, 1951

 

McLaury, Anna Coe -

Mrs. Anna Coe McLaury, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Coe was born near Steubenville, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1874, and passed

away suddenly Oct. 24, 1951 at her home in west Clearfield, age 76 years, 11 months, 2 days. She had lived near Clearfield since 1895.

 

On Feb. 7, 1900 she was united in marriage to James T McLaury of Clearfield. They were the parents of six children. Glenn died in 1940. Surviving are two sons, Merritt McLaury of Kansas City and Clifford McLaury of Lenox; three daughters, Mrs. Hazel Robinson of Clearfield, Mrs. Gladys Cole of Nebraska City and Mrs. Ruth Crist of Des Moines; also 22 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; and two brothers, George and Roy Coe of Costa Mesa, Calif. Mr. McLaury preceded her in death on Jan. 23rd, 1951.

 

Last rites were held Sunday from the Methodist church where she had been a member from girlhood. Burial was in the Clearfield cemetery.

 

Besides the immediate family attending from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Mark Robinson, Miss Gracia McLaury, F.

Moler, Mr. and Mrs. W. Webb, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Cade and Karen, Mrs. J, J. Anderson of Bedford; Mr. and Mrs. Will Breach, Sharpsburg; Mr. and Mrs. V. Harvey of Creston; Mr. and Mrs. Crelin and Marie of Ames, Mr. and Mrs. E. Graves of Jefferson City, Mo.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday November 8, 1951

 

Meehan, Mae -

Mrs. Mae Meehan, 66 died Friday morning at Carrollton, Mo. Funeral services were Sunday at 2 p. m. at Norborne, Mo

She was a cousin of Mrs. Roy Nelson of Lenox.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday November 22, 1951

 

Morey, Reva Galie Bender -

Reva Galie, daughter of Perry and Grace Bender, was born near Maloy, Iowa, on December 2, 1895 and departed this

life July 18, 1951 at the Ringgold County hospital in Mount Ayr at the age of 55 years, 7 months and 16 days.

 

Upon her completion of the eighth grade in the rural school near her home, she entered the Clearfield high school so that

she might continue her education. On November 1, 1917, Reva G. Bender and Harry D. Morey of Clearfield were united in marriage in Mount Ayr, Iowa. They established their home on a farm southwest of Clearfield later moving to Lincoln township, Ringgold county and in 1936 to the present home.  To this union were born two daughters, Phyllis A., now Mrs.

Chas. Goodale and Adra Leila at home.

 

In girlhood she united with the Clearfield United Presbyterian church and was a faithful attendant at all the church services. Mrs. Morey was a willing helper in all religious and social activities. In her association with others, her cheerful

disposition and smiles won her many friends. In her home she was a devoted wife and mother, enjoying the things that would add to the beauty and comfort of the home.

 

Her last illness was of short duration, but all that constant attendance of loved ones and medical skill could do was to no avail.

 

Surviving to cherish her memory are her husband, her two daughters, the parents, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Matthews of Clearfield, the son-in-law, Chas. B. Goodale and 2 grandchildren, Jackie Dean and Leila Sue, whom she loved dearly loved, nieces and nephews and other relatives and a host of friends. 

 

Funeral services were held at the Clearfield United Presbyterian church, Friday, July 6, Rev. C. F. Hoffman officiating.  Burial was in Clearfield cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday July 26, 1951

 

Patch, Grace -

Mrs. Grace Patch passed away at her home here [Gravity] on Thursday afternoon. Funeral services were held at the Wetmore Funeral Home on Saturday at 2 p. m.  Burial was in Gravity cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday November 8, 1951

 

Ramsey, Homer I. -

The following obituary of Homer I. Ramsey, is taken from the Sibley, Iowa, paper. Attending services from here were Mr.

and Mrs. Elmer Eberle and Dick, and Mrs. Pearl Reynolds. Mr. Ramsey was an uncle of Mmes. Eberle and Reynolds.

 

The death Sunday night, May 27th, of Homer I. Ramsey brought an end to an Illness which had been afflicting him for the last three months of his life. He had reached the age of 69 years, 11 months and 17 days.

 

Homer I. Ramsey was born to A. C. and Amanda Ramsey on June 10, 1881, in a log cabin about two miles north of Sigourney, la.  His father, mother, two sisters and three brothers preceded him in death with only one brother, Grant Ramsey, of Sigourney, surviving.

 

On December 23, 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Etta Lee at Lenox, la. To this union seven children were born, Clara, Charles, Ruth, Mary, Homer, Ralph, and Rose. One son, Homer, died in infancy.

 

For 18 years Mr. Ramsey was employed by the Rock Island Railroad depot as brakeman and depot agent. From 1917 to 1929 he was cashier of the First National Bank at Melvin, la. On January 1, 1931, the family moved to Sibley where Mr. Ramsey served as county sheriff for 10 years.

 

On January 1, 1941, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey moved to an acreage near Noel, Mo., where they lived for four years, later moving to Sulphur Springs, Ark. After Mrs. Ramsey's death, Mr. Ramsey returned to Sibley and made his home with his

daughter, Mrs. John Wehmeyer and family. He worked in the office of J. H. Nicoll.

 

Mr. Ramsey was a devoted husband and father. He spent many years in public service, serving as mayor in both Melvin

and Sulphur Springs, Ark. For many years he served as secretary and treasurer of the school board at Melvin. He had

been a faithful member of the Methodist church for many years.

 

At the time of his death he was a member of the Broken Column Lodge A. F. & A. M. at Sibley. He had also been Charter

Master of the Masonic Lodge at Melvin.

 

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, who passed away May 12, 1949, and by one son, Homer, Jr., who died in infancy.  He leaves to mourn his passing, his brother Grant, and his six children, Clara, Mrs. Peter Schmidt of Washta; Charles Lee Ramsey; Ruth, Mrs. Erwin Palmateer; Mary, Mrs. John Wehmeyer, all of Sibley; and Ralph and Rose, Mrs. Lawrence Ramsey of Boston, Mass.  There are also 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also leaves one niece and three nephews and a host of friends and neighbors.

 

Funeral services were held Tuesday in the First Methodist church at Sibley.  Burial was at Melvin.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 14, 1951

 

 

 

Shum, Lena E. Burright

Lena E. Burright, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Burright, was born March 30, 1874 at Oregon, Illinois and passed away Nov. 19, 1951 at the home of her daughter, Alice Link, in Clearfield, at the age of 77 years.

 

The family moved to Iowa in 1875, settling in Page County, to Taylor County in 1901.  Upon receiving her education she became a teacher and also took nurse’s training, in the M. E. Hospital in Des Moines.

 

On April 15, 1911 she was united in marriage to Claude W. Shum.   They were the parents of a son who died in infancy and a daughter, Alice.  They lived in South Dakota from 1917 to 1937 and then returned to Iowa, locating on the farm

southeast of Clearfield, where the husband and father died in 1944, and in 1949 Mrs. Shum moved to Clearfield, where she has since resided with her daughter, Mrs. Alice Link. She was always charitable and loyal to her family's welfare. Surviving are the daughter, a stepdaughter, Mrs. Ada Wilson, of Cook, Wash., a nephew, Hilding Shum, who was reared in the home from a early age; five sisters; three brothers and two grandchildren, besides other relatives and many friends.

 

Funeral services were held on Dec. 21st at the Shum Funeral Home in Bedford. Burial in the Gravity cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday December 6, 1951

 

Toomire, John -

Mrs. Jesse Smith received word that her brother-in-law, John Toomire of Mitchell, S. Dak., had been electrocuted

while working on the REA line. Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Myron Henderson of Afton, left Thursday evening for Mitchell to attend funeral services. Patricia Smith is staying with her aunt, Mrs. Harold Smith, while her parents are away.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Thursday June 21, 1951