Dr. J. J. Moorman, president of the Board of Trustees of Roanoke College for forty-five yeras, resident physician at the Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, and author of several works on the mineral springs of North America, died at his home in Salem, Va., yesterday, aged eighty-four years.

Emily A. Sweet

Emily A. Sweet, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Pewsey, was born April 9, 1847 at McGillery, Canada West and died November 10, 1923 at the old homestead in Lincoln township at the age of 76 years, 7 months, and 1 day.  At the age of 18 years, she moved with her parents to Clinton, Iowa.

She was married to George C. Sweet, January 7, 1866 at Davenport, Iowa, and to this union 7 children were born, Mrs. A. Nicholas, Mrs. Mary Spooner, George Henry, Albert Edward, Mrs. Ida Berkler, Mrs. Effie Crowell, and Mrs. Laura Hoffman.Her husband and two sons preceded her to the better land. Her husband departed this life July 21, 1912, George Henry in early childhood and Albert Edwin on May 29, 1923.  She leaves to mourn her loss 5 daughters, 2 brothers David and William Pewsey, 19 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Mrs. Sweet was a woman of beautiful spirit and strong character.

She was firm in her moral convictions and steadfast in every righteous purpose. She was a great lover of home but was readily and willingly responsive to every call of community service. She was a life long and devoted Methodist and affiliated with the church at Truesdale.

Funeral services conducted by the pastor Rev. H.I. Pharo were held Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the house and 2 o’clock at the church. At the special request of the deceased the following selections, “Asleep in Jesus”, “Abide With Me”, and “Beautiful Isle of Somewhere” were sung by a quartette made up of local talent. The sermon was most touching and a large tribute was paid to the splendid wife and mother in the large gathering which assembled to pay its last respects to the dead. The floral offerings were beautiful.

Internment was made in the Storm Lake cemetery.

Pearl Pewsey, 77, Dies in Hospital At Sioux Rapids

Pearl Pewsey, 77, of near Storm Lake, passed away at Sioux Rapids hospital Tuesday, May 31.  Funeral services will be Friday, June 3, at 2 p.m. in Hughes-Nelson funeral home with Rev. C. A. Claypool of Rembrandt officiating. Burial will be in Storm Lake cemetery.

Miss Pewsey leaves to mourn her passing one brother, Russell Pewsey of Rembrandt and several nieces and nephews in this area.

Charles Henry Pewsey

Funeral services for Charles Henry Pewsey, 83, were held Monday afternoon in the Methodist church at Sioux Rapids with burial in the Lakeview Memorial park at Storm Lake.  He is survived by his wife, Belle, of Sioux Rapids; a son, Wayne, of Calvin, N. Dak.; a brother, Russell, of Rembrandt; two sisters, Miss Pearl Pewsey of Storm Lake and Mrs. Carrie Leonard of Clyde, S. Dak; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

I didn’t find a full-up detailed obituary about him, but I found two small death announcements.

One was in the Indiana Democrat in Indiana, PA where he used to live. (Dated 11/26/1885)

James Baker, formerly of Marion, this county, recently died in Kansas.

Not a lot of info in that one, was there?

Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the local Lawrence, Kansas paper – where he had lived for about 6 yrs before his death:

Jas. Baker, a farmer living near Sibley, died yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock, of consumption. The deceased has been a resident of Kansas for the past six years, and was universally respected by all who knew him.  He will be buried to-day in Oak Hill cemetery.

I went to Oskaloosa, Ia and searched through the newspapers on microfilm.  Unfortunately, the months surrounding his death are missing.  Perhaps someday they will be recovered somewhere, but as for now they just aren’t there.

In lieu of an obituary (which I like to imagine was incredibly detailed since Thomas Stafford was a pillar of the community), what I did find was this legal notice.  While it’s not what I was looking for, it does give a pretty substantial list of his heirs and lists his property.  I’ll take what I can get.  I wonder if this notice was simply a legal formality, or if Elizabeth was genuinely worried about not receiving her dower interest.

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF IOWA, Mahaska County} SS

To Brantley Stafford, Elias Stafford, Eli Stafford, Henry Stafford, William Stafford, Elam Stafford, Jonathan Atkins, Philena Atkins, Francis Robbins, Abigail Robbins, Philena Shaw, James M. Shaw, William Kirkpatrick, Louisa Kirkpatrick, Ebenezer Shaw, Mary H. Shaw, William H. Shaw, Jacob Coffin, Maria Coffin, Thomas McClain, Brantly McClain, Elizabeth McClain, and John McClain:

You will take notice that there is now on file in the office of the County Judge of Mahaska County, Iowa, the petition of Elizabeth Stafford, widow of Thomas Stafford, deceased, praying that her dower interest in and to the northwest quarter or the southeast quarter of section No. 17, township 75, north of range No. 15 west, late the estate of the said Thomas Stafford, deceased, be set apart to her according to law.  The County Judge has set the first Monday in November next as the day for hearing said petition.

Elizabeth Stafford, by Crookham & Rhinehart her Att’ys.  Sept. 26, 1867

Legal Notice

Isabell Adelia Rudd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rudd, was born at Ute, Iowa, May 30, 1858, and died Feb. 28, 1942, at the George Igou? home in Dow City, where she had been cared for during the past several weeks.

She was united in marriage with W.C. Bybee on March 20, 1881, and 10 children were born to the union.  Four died in infancy and her husband passed away in 1907.  Two sons, Oliver and Asa, also preceded her in death.

Those surviving are Frank, Orchard, South Africa; Daisy, Mrs. Dave McAllister, Boise, Idaho; Charlie, San Bernardino, Calif. and Harry, Los Angeles, Calif.  Surviving also are four sisters, Mrs. Ida Butterworth and Mrs. Melissa Merrick, Independence, Mo.;  Mrs. Clara Birkhofer, Charter Oak, and Mrs. Effie Fewing, Puyallup, Wash.  Also 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

On April 29, 1913, she was married to John Edwards, who died May 4, 1931.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 3, at the L.D.S. Church in Dow City, with burial in the local cemetery.  Pallbearers were George Cook, Earnest Neethan, Davis Griffin, George Cook, Fred Baber, and Orville Arnold.

The sermon was by the pastor Elder Elvin Baughman. Mrs. D. R. Griffin, Betty Baber, Donna Jean Baughman, and Mary Lou Butterworth sang with Mrs. Baughman at the piano.

Some in attendance were Mrs. Dave McAllister, Boise, Idaho; Harry Bybee, Los Angeles; Mr. and Mrs. Archie Davis and Donald Bybee, Denison; Mrs. R.D. Henry, Nevada; Mrs. Gladys McClain, Exira; and Mrs. Ancil Chamberlain, Buffalo, N.Y.

She had been a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since 1870.

WILLIAM ALBERT PEWSEY

William Albert Pewsey was born August 6. 1850, at London, Canada, and passed away from this life April 2, 1925, at the age of 74 years, 7 months and 26 days.

He came to this county with his parents in 1869, settling in Buena Vista county, Iowa. In 1873, he married Mary Ellen Robbins.  Buying land in Lincoln township, enduring all the hardships of the early pioneer life and making his home there for many years.  His wife preceded him in death November 12, 1914.   He moved to Storm Lake in March 1919, living here until the time of his death.  He was a firm believer in the Christian faith from early manhood until the call of death.

He is survived by seven children, Charles H. of Sioux Rapids, Carrie B. Leonard, of Clyde N.D.; Alta D. Ratcliff, of Vermillion, S.D.; Elmer G. and Pearl A. of Storm Lake and Rush and Russell, of Rembrandt.  Also nine grandchildren survive him.  Of a large family, only one survives him, a brother, D.C. Pewsey of Storm Lake.

Funeral services were held in this city Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the Methodist church.  Interment was made in the local cemetery.

 From the Indiana Weekly Messenger, Indiana, PA, dated 11 April 1883.

Death of Cyrus Baker.

Mr. Cyrus P. Baker, of Lawrence, Kansas, died of consumption at Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 28th. He was a son of Mr. James Baker, formerly of Rayne Twp, this county and who moved to Tennessee in 1869 and from thence to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1876, where he still resides. The deceased, while in Kansas, suffered from lung difficulty and started west in the hopes that the trip would benefit his health. He first went to Colorado and thence to New Mexico and from there he journeyed to California. But he got no relief and started back to his home in Kansas and reached the town above mentioned where he died. Though surrounded by strangers he was kindly cared for. He leaves a wife and one child to mourn the loss of a kind husband and affectionate parent. He was a printer by trade and visited this place some two years since.

Mrs. Mary A. Marshall, 73 years of age, died last night at the home of a daughter, Mrs. William Cooper, at Sibley.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon from the Rumsey Funeral Home. The Rev. D. F. Foster of Baldwin will have charge of the services. Burial will be in Oak Hill cemetery.

Surviving relatives include three children, Mrs. Charles Smith, of Emmett, Idaho, and Harold Marshall and Mrs. William Cooper, both of Sibley.

Mrs. Jane Van Leer, 93, Dies in Sons’ Home Near Marion Center

Mrs. Jane Van Leer, widow of John Van Leer, died at the home of her son, Grant Van Leer of near Marion Center at 8:15 Friday morning at the age of 93 years. She was a great-great grandmother.

The deceased was born in Center County, this state, 93 years ago and came to the home of her son Grant about four years ago. She was a member of the Wesleyn Methodist church of Indiana, and one of the most highly respected and lovable characters in this section.

Among her survivors are one son, Grant Van Leer, at whose home she died and the following grand, great grand and great-great grandchildren: Mrs. James Thomas of Punxsutawney; Mrs. Vanora V. Rowe, of Pittsburgh; Mrs. Zene Hines, of Pine Flats; Miss Murtel Van Leer, nurse in the Dixmont hospital; Mrs. Mabel Van Leer of Jeannette; Mrs. William Van Leer of Indiana, Mrs. Anna Fritz and John Walker in California; David and Ernest Van Leer in the West; Bernard Van Leer, of North Mahoning township; Mrs. William Dunmire, of Juneau; Charles, Mona and Theodore Van Leer, of near Marion Center; Thomas Walker, Mrs. Helen Cook, Eearl and Anna Washington of Pittsburgh, and the great-great grandchildren are the son and daughters of Bert Moorhead of Indiana; of Mrs. Zene Hines and Mrs. Helen Cook, of Pittsburgh.

Funeral services will be held at the late home of the deceased beginning at 1 o’clock Monday afternoon and interment made in the Marion Center cemetery

This obituary was from the North Nebraska Eagle, dated 28 July 1887.

Last Thursday night Hubbard precinct lost one of her best citizens, Mr. James Thornton.  He had been to Jackson and after returning home complained to his wife of not feeling very well.  For some years he had been unable to do a day’s work having hurt his back.  Soon after entering the house he retired never to awaken again.  His funeral took place Saturday followed by a large concourse of friends.

This was apparently also from the North Nebraska Eagle, although I”m not sure if it was from the same edition (I don’t have the original, just a transcription):

Jamas Thornton
A pioneer, a patriot, a neighbor
Has done his part, complet’d the labor

An aged parent, an honored chief
Lies dead, and fills the house with grief.

Friends and mourners gathered
And many a fervent prayer rendered.

That the soul which left the shell
May henceforth with its Maker dwell.

Reader, stop!  and shed a tear
For him who went before, who is your pioneer

July 20, 1887, L.E.

This man was a son of Milton Francis Sanchez, a brother to my great-grandfather, Theodore Francis Sanchez.  He would have been my grandfather’s first cousin, although he died the same year my grandpa was born. 

The article doesn’t mention what this man died of, but he was only 34 yrs old and left behind a wife and four children.  Very sad.

This was an unidentified clipping, so I don’t have info on the newspaper it was from.  I’m sure it was a local paper though – in Keokuk county, IA.

Frederick M. Sanches, son of Milton and Almeda Sanchez, was born near Hedrick, July 3rd, 1884 and passed into the Great Beyond at his home in Martinsburg, Oct. 10th, 1918, at the age of 34 yrs. 3 mo. and 7 days.

He was converted in the M.E. Church of this place in early life.  At the time of his death he was a respected member of both the Masonic and Modern Woodman Lodge.  He leaves to mourn his loss his father and mother a devoted wife and four children, Glady Marie, Mary Almeda, William Frederick, and Paul Eugene. One sister, Mrs. Belle Lotspiech and one brother, Harry Sanchez besides a host of near and dear friends who extend to the bereaved family their sincere sympathy in their hour of their bereavement.

Private services were conducted at the home Saturday at 2:30 P.M. by Rev. Chas. Hawk of the M.E. church.  Interment was at the Mt. Zion cemetery.

The Martinsburg Masonic Lodge had charge of the services at the grave.

This was a clipping pasted together with other obituaries – I believe it was probably in the Sigourney, IA newspaper.

11 Oct 1888

Peter Sanchez died at his home near Ollie, Sunday, Oct. 7th, with consumption.  Mr. Sanchez has been sick for some time, but his sudden departure was unlooked for so soon.  He was buried Monday.

13 August 1896, Tonganoxie Mirror, Tonganoxie, Leavenworth, KS

A Victim of Typhoid
Last Saturday afternoon, at half past five o’clock, Michael Hollingsworth breathed his last, having succumbed to an attack of typhoid fever.  Funeral services were held next day by Rev. Ballard in the Friends church, and the remains were buried in the cemetery on the hill.
Michael Hollingsworth was born in Buena Vista county, Iowa, April 8, 1871, and came with his parents to Kansas during childhood.  He was united in marriage Nov. 1893 to Miss Betsey Wogan.  She and a two years old child survive him.

Card of Thanks
The undersigned wish to tender their deepest thanks to the many friends who so kindly came to their assistance in the hour of sorrow and trouble over the loss of a loved one.
J.D. Hollingsworth and wife
James Goucher and wife
Betsey Hollingsworth

William Henry Snider was my husbands 3rd great-grandfather. This is a nice, informative obituary.  I love it when they give details!!

From the Evening News Paper, 23 July1880:
Mr. William Henry Snider died on last Thursday morning, July 22, 1880, after a few weeks sickness, in his 74th year.  He was born in North Carolina, March 12, 1807.  He came in Utica in an early day, when Louisville was in the woods.  By his industrious, honest and temperate habits he got him a nice little home, in which he took great pains to keep in good and neat repair, and enjoyed saying it was by honest work that he got it.  He began after marriage by working for Mr. Jacob Lentz Sr. now living near Utica, for $10 per month and was to board at Mr. Lentz’s also, still he always saved a little to lay up for future use.  He was free-hearted and had good will for his fellow men, and was a serious member of the M.E. church, but he was always willing that everyone should have his own choice of churches.  he first joined the church in North Carolina and when he came here he joined what was known as the New Chapel camp meeting.  After the meeting he was amoung some of the brethen, urging them to organize the first Sunday school in Utica.  It was called the Union-Sunday school, all the church took part.  He was then elected Secretary of the Sunday-school, which office he held as long as the school lasted, and then the Methodists organized a school and he was chosen Secretary, which office he filled and was always prompt at his place  until about three years ago, when he resigned, but still he would attend when his health permit.
He was a Democratic in politics; a farmer and a carpenter by trade.  He never was satisfied unless he was employed.  He could be seem almost everyday coming to Utica to get the news and see the sick.
As his life was so was his death.  He always did his duty, and when the Lord called him home he was willing and ready to go.  He was perfectly conscious to the last.  One of his watchers asked him about five minutes before he died if there was anything he wanted.  He shooked his head and opened his eyes.  So he died as he lived, peaceful and happy at 3 o’clock a.m., July 22, 1880.  He leaves a wife and several children to mourn his loss.  All his children are grown.  Their names are respectively, Mr. John Snider, Mr. W.H. Snider Jr., Mr. Joseph Snider, Mr. James Snider, Mrs. Lucinda Smith, Mrs. Mary Pollion, Mrs. Julia Weeks, Mrs. Delilah Van Pelt, Mrs. Laura Chambers and Mrs. Emma Dunn.

Graveside services for Charles G. Weeks, 76, formerly of Lawrence, will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Vinland Cemetery in Vinland.  Glen Amend will officiate.

Mr. Weeks died Saturday in the Irving, (Tex.) Community Hospital.

He was born April 8, 1911, in Council Grove and was raised in the Oakridge community north of Lawrence.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in North Africa during World War II.

He owned and operated Weeks Water Hauling Service in Lawrence.  For the past 30 years, he had lived in Texas and was a mechanic.

Survivors include his wife, Felina, of the home; four sons, Jerry, Irving, Tex., Kenneth, DeSoto, Charles, Greenville, Miss. and Ronald, Wichita; three daughters, Marian Cashatt, Lawrence, Carol Bergsten, Omaha, Neb., and Glenna Mae, Baton rouge, La.; two brothers, Lyle, Eudora, and Ordell, Sun City, Ariz.; a sister, Florence Whitaker, Cleveland; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Rumsey Funeral Home.

Dated 3 Sep 1968 in the Wyoming County Times, Warsaw, NY.

FORMER RESIDENT DIES

Mrs. Lillian Cossaboon, of 40 Inwood Pl., Buffalo, died Friday, (Aug. 23, 1968) in a Buffalo hospital.  She had been in frail health for some time.
Mrs. Cossaboon had formerly lived in Silver Springs, when her late husband, Rev. Nicholas V. Cossaboon, was pastor of the Silver Springs Methodist Church.  She spent her summers at their Silver Lake cottage, and winters in Buffalo with her daughter, Mrs. Virginia Johnson. Because of ill health, she was not at her cottage this past summer.
She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Pearl Dull of Arlington, Va, Miss Ruth Cossaboon of San Antonio, Tex., and Mrs. Virginia Johnson of Buffalo. Another daughter, Mrs. Helen Woods of Lockport, preceded her in death; also 4 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

His obituary was in the Wyoming County Times, Wyoming County, NY, dated 7 July 1949.

Retired Methodist Minister Died at Silver Lake
The Rev. Nicholas Van Cossaboon, 72, Methodist clergyman for 41 years, who retired only a month ago, died unexpectedly at his cottage at Silver Lake last Saturday, July 2nd.
His death occurred one month after his retirement from the ministry. During the last eight years, he had been pastor of the Silver Springs Methodist church. Recognition of his 41 years in the ministry was paid last month at the annual meeting of the Genesee Conference at Asbury-Delaware Church in Buffalo.
He was honored this spring at a testamonial dinner given by members of the Silver Springs congregation.  Bishop W. Earl Leden of the Syracuse area of the Methodist church, who had once been a Sunday school pupil of the retiring minister, was the principal speaker.
He had held a number of pastates in Western New York, including ones at Woodhull, Sardinia, Ellicottville, Salamanca, Depew, Buffalo, Lockport, Marilla, Middleport, Addison, and Silver Springs, where he was located at the time of his retirement.
He was born at Winslow, N.J. , October 4, 1877 and on February 9, 1901 married Lillian Pierce, who survives him.
He also leaves four daughters, Mrs. John Dull and Mrs. William Johnson of Buffalo; Mrs. Elsie Woods of Lockport and Miss Ruth Van Cossaboon of Middletown, Pa.; a brother Loveman Van Cossaboon of Camden, N.J.; two sisters, Mrs. Edward Cottrell of Glassboro, N.J. and Mrs. Mary Woodruff of Monroeville, N.J. ; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The Rev. Mr. Van Cossaboon was a member of the Masonic lodge at Castile, the East Aurora Capter R.A.M., of the Buffalo Consistory, and Ismaila Temple of the Shrine, Buffalo.
Bishop W. Earl Leden of Syracuse, officiated at the funearl services which were conducted at the Silver Springs Methodist church at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday.  Assisting him were the Rev. Harold Hewiit, former district superintendent of the Methodist church, now pastor of the East Aurora church; the Rev. Charles Boellinger, present district superintendent, and the Rev. Homer Evans, pastor of the Silver Springs church. The burial was in Acacia Park cemetery, Tonawanda, at 4:00 p.m. with Masonic services at the grave.
The organist was Kenneth Motts and the bearers were Norman Tallman, Robert Humphrey, Elmer Gardner, Edwin Chase, Clayton Husted, and Frank Granger.

It makes me wonder how many obituaries are out here waiting to be found – in cities I would never think of looking in!  Now I need to find the “family plot” in Shinglehouse. PA.

Receives Word of Brothers’ Death
Rev. and Mrs. Cossaboon received word Thursday afternoon of the death of the latter’s brother , Mr. Watson Pierce, 79, at Bolivar, N. Y., following a short illness.
Funeral services were held in a funeral home in Bolivar, Sunday afternoon, November 23rd, at 2 o’clock, with the Rev. Edward P. Gill officiating. Interment was in the family lot, in the cemetery at Shinglehouse, Pa.  The Masonic Lodge, at Shinglehouse, had charge of the services at the grave. Rev. Cossaboon also assisted in the services at the grave.
Surviving besides his wife is a daughter, Mrs. Bertha Brady, of Williamsport, Pa., a son, Robert Pierce, of Bolivar; two sisters, Mrs. Nicholas Van Cossaboon of Silver Springs and Mrs. Warren Kandle of Pitman, N.J.; several grandchildren , and several nieces and nephews.
Among the people attending the services were Rev. and Mrs. N. Van Cossaboon and Edward Ames, Sr., of Silver Springs, and Mrs. William Johnson of Buffalo.

His obituary was published in the Evening Tribune in Jeffersonville, Clark, Indiana, on 10 July 1895.

PIONEER MINISTER DEAD

Rev. Samuel Weeks one of the pioneer ministers of the Methodist Church of the State died at 1 pm today, at his home on Maple street, between Spring and Wall, aged 83 yrs.
Deceased was a resident of Blother Station, Scott County, until three weeks ago, when he moved to this city and was taken dangerously ill almost immediately after.  He was a native of New York, but had been a resident of Indiana for many years.
At one time he was pastor of Utica and later of Lexington church.  His widow is a sister of J.T. and Horace Hopkins.  He leaves three children all of whom are residents of the West.
The funeral takes place tomorrow morning, at 10:30 o’clock.  The interment will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery, in Clark County.

His obituary was published on 17 Dec 1931 in the Storm Lake Iowa Pilot-Tribune, Storm Lake, Buena Vista County, Iowa.

Funeral Held for Dr. Pewsey
Well Known Resident of County Laid to Rest  – Pioneer in This Section
Funeral services for Dr. D.C. Pewsey, who died at the home of Mrs. Anna Sweet, east of Truesdale, Sunday morning, following an illness of some time, were held from the Methodist church at Truesdale, Tuesday afternoon, at 2 o’clock, following short services at the Hughes Funeral Chapel. Rev. L.H. Pruel officiated. Burial was in the Storm Lake cemetery.
Bearers were George Sweet, Henry Berkler, Ehman Berkler, Harold Hoffman, and Elmer Pewsey, grand-nephews of Mr. Pewsey.
D.C. Pewsey, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Pewsey, was born in Bloomfield, Ontario, Canada, September 10, 1845.
When he was three years old he moved with his parents to McGillery, Canada.  Here he resided with his parents until he grew to young manhood, after which his parents moved to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1866, where they homesteaded.
In 186[?] he moved with his parents to Buena Vista county where he spent the remainder of his earthly life. The past 22 years of his life he made his home with Mrs. Anna Sweet, east of Truesdale.
Mr. Pewsey, better known as “Doc” Pewsey, was the last member of a generation of Pewseys. He was one of the early pioneers, who endured many hardships of the early days.
“Doc” Pewsey was a good man with a kindly and sympathetic spirit. [...] He was a great lover of the Bible. Three times he had read the entire book and many portions of it had he re-read. He was a member of the Methodist church and for many years served as Sunday School Superintendant.
During the past 2[?] years of Mr. Pewsey’s life, he had been in poor health, making it necessary to submit to a number of operations.  But in spite of this and much suffering, he enjoyed life to the very end.
“Doc” Pewsey’s life came to an end Sunday morning at about 7 o’clock, after a lingering illness of 10 weeks, during which time all that loving hands could do was done for him.
He leaves to mourn his death many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and [can't read] of friends.

One of the things I was hoping to find on my recent trip to Iowa, was a nice long obituary, stating where he was born and who his parents were – breaking down my brick wall in one stroke.

That wasn’t my luck.

I found two death notices in two separate local newspapers, but no full-up obituary.  Them’s the breaks.

From the Washington Democrat, Washington, Iowa, dated 5 March 1879, page 1:

John Robinson of Franklin township, died Wednesday morning, February 26th.  We understand lung difficulty was the cause.

They didn’t even spell his name correctly, let alone give any pertinent information about his life.  Darn.

And the second notice was in the Washington County Press, Washington Iowa, dated 5 March 1879, page 3:

John Robertson of this township died on the 27th ult. He was at the Reed sale on the 20th, and told Reeves that he had felt better this winter than in many years – had no cough, good appetite, and could sleep well.  He took a chill there, and was seized with congestion of the liver.  He was a Virginian, was almost 75 years old, and had lived here about 22 years, as near as we can learn.

Again, no info on his life before moving to Iowa.  This states that he was a Virginian, which I had never heard before.  Everything else I have on him points to Kentucky as his birth place.  It doesn’t sound like he was very well known in town, does it?

Well, even though this didn’t break down my brick wall, it did add a bit more to the growing pile of information I have about him.  I am always thankful for every little piece I get.