Catherine Albright

Death of Mrs. Albright

Mrs. Albright, one of the oldest residents of this vicinity, died at her home two and one-half miles west of Lyons at 5 Wednesday morning (3/20/1889) She came here in 1837. She was the mother of A.J. Aikman, Esq., of Charlotte and Mr. Samuel Aikman of Goose Lake. The funeral will occur from the residence at 2 o'clock this afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. D. Tull.

(Catherine (nee Neff) Albright was born 1807 in Ontario, Canada, to John and Magdalena (Burkholder) Neff. She was preceded in death by her parents, both her 1st husband, John Aikman, and 2nd husband, Emanuel Albright, and by daughter, Harriet Aikman Albright. Children who survived her were: Alexander, John, Henry, William and A.J., Aikman and Lucius Albright.

(Note: She was also survived by many of her Albright step-children.)

Newspaper: The Clinton Weekly Herald - 21 Mar 1889
Submitters Name: Betty Larsen Berentson

Emanuel Albright

Death of Emanuel Albright

Emanuel Albright, Esq., residing three miles west of Lyons, died from the effects of an apoplectic stroke about seven o'clock last evening. Mr. Albright came from Pennsylvania to the vicinity of Beaver Creek Mills, Jackson County, in 1846, and about twenty years ago removed to Clinton County, being one of the earliest settlers in this part of the state. He has several sons and daughters, all well along in years, he having reached the hale age of 75. A.J. Albright, Esq., of Charlotte, well-known throughout the county, is one of the sons of the deceased. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon from the family home.

(Note: Emanuel was preceded in death by 1st wife, Catherine (Watts) Albright. Their children, who all survived him were: Mary Elizabeth, w/o Oliver Perry Aikman; Michael, who married Harriet Aikman; Susanna, w/o Mr. Henderson; John who mrd. Rachel FInch; George who mrd. Rhoda McClanahan; Mary Ann w/o Louis Nixon; James; Sam who mrd. Mary Killam; Benjamin who mrd. Mary Ann Sophy; Andrew who mrd. Tabitha Lauderbaugh; Thomas; Irving; Sarah Catherine w/o Richard Shull; Caroline w/o David Winey and Emanuel Dallas who mrd. Hannah Crouch. 2nd wife, Catherine (nee Neff) Aikman Albright survived him, as did their son, Lucius and wife, Bessie (Cook) Albright. ). Emanuel is buried in Rossiter Cemetery.)

Newspaper: Clinton Daily Herald, 12 Feb 1878
Submitters Name: Betty Larsen Berentson

Eugene Anderson

Died. - Anderson - on Wednesday evening, May 14, 1884. Mr. Eugene Anderson, at his farm residence, six and a half miles southwest of Maquoketa, in Brookfield township, Clinton county, aged 76 years.

Mr. Anderson was born in Rockingham county, Va., May 14, 1808, and was the father of eight children, three of whom are dead and five living - three sons and two daughters. David H., our prominent grocer; Jesse, near Elwood; and Geo. H., Jr., now residing in Dakota; Mrs. Samuel R. Bader of this city; and Mrs. John Sidle near Delmar. Mr. Anderson emigrated to his fine farm in Brookfield township, June 7, 1853, and with his untiring industry made it one of the most desirable farms in the South Settlement.

The funeral services occurred on Sabbath last and were preached by Rev. Joshua Schultz of the Dunkard church. The attendance was very large, fully five hundred or more present, with a procession of over 140 vehicles.

Than Mr. Anderson, no better man ever lived over the border in Clinton county; as a husband and father he was kind, indulgent and loving; as a neighbor, friendly, accommodating and helpful; as a man, upright, honorable, intelligent; of a happy, cheerful disposition, with a kindly word for every one, a thoroughly charitable Christian gentleman, he was loved and respected by all who came in contact with him.

His loss is mourned by all, and sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved family and friends.

The loss of such men as Mr. Anderson is a heavy blow to any community for they can never be replaced; but the memory of so good a man never dies, but with his good works lives after him, a better and more fitting monument to his many virtues than the hand of man can erect.

[Jackson Sentinel, Jackson County, Iowa, Published May 22, 1884]
Submitted by Ken Wright

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

EUGENE ANDERSON died on the 17th inst., at his residence in Brookfield Township, six miles southwest of this city, aged 76 years.

He was a native of Virginia, and lived on the farm where he died since 1853. He was the father of D. H. Anderson, merchant of this city.

Maquoketa Excelsior, Maquoketa, Iowa, May 24, 1884.
Submitted by Ken Wright

Mrs. Frances E. Baker

Mrs. Frances E. Baker, 81, fromerly of Clinton, Iowa, died Monday in California.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 1 a.m. in Grace Episcopal Church in Clinton. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Clinton.Visitation will be from 709 p.m. Friday at the Cannon Funeral Home in Clinton

Mrs. Baker was born on July 30, 1904 in Rock Falls, the daughter of Henry and Emma (Bryson) Partridge. She was united in marriage to Carl V. Baker on July17, 1923 in Clinton and was a member of the Brace Episcopal Church, the Order of Eastern Star and the Royal Neighbors of America. She had worked a number of years for the Veterans' Administration in Clinton.

Survivors include one son, Dale Baker of Waukesha, Wisconsin; one daughter, Mrs. Robert (Phillis Neuzil of Fallbrook, California; nine grandchildren;11 great-grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Perry (Marian) Davis of Fallbrook, California. She was preceded in death by two sisters and seven brothers.

Newspaper Name: Sterling Daily Gazette April 21, 1986
Submitted by: Margaret Mangers

George P. Baker

On Thursday morning, George P. Baker, while temporarily deranged, cut his throat with a razor. He has been a resident of Clinton County for the last thirty years and was respected by all those who knew him. He owned and lived on a large farm two miles west of Lyons and leaves a family well cared for. He was over 70 years of age and had been ill, which caused the temporary insanity.

Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, December 2, 1885
Submitted by Ken Wright

Tom Berry

TWO DELMAR MEN KILLED

Steve Sharp and Tom Berry, two section men living at Delmar, were both instantly killed by an eastbound passenger train on the Milwaukee Wednesday morning at 11:30. The men were at work on the track, a quarter of a mile west of Riggs, when a westbound freight came along. At the same time the east bound passenger was also near, but the men did not see it and as they stepped out of the way of the freight they stepped over on the other track which held the fast passenger. The engine struck them squarely and later it was found that one of the men was hurled sixty feet upon the right-of-way. Evidently the fireman and engineer on the passenger were looking at the freight as they passed it, for they did not know they had hit anybody until they pulled into Green Island station when they saw one of the men's coats hanging on the pilot. Sharp has a wife and child left, while Berry's wife is dead.

[Maquoketa Excelsior-Record, Published January 28, 1921, submitted by Ken Wright]

Robert Earl "Bob" Bickelhaupt

Robert Earl "Bob" Bickelhaupt, Clinton, died October 27, 2006 in his home. A celebration of life service will be held in at the Arboretum with its spring beauty.

He was born on August 15, 1914 in Freeport, Illinois, to Grover Earl and Alma May Zinnel Bickelhaupt.On September 5, 1938, he married Frances Helena Kershner at the First Presbyterian Church in Clinton.

He is a 1932 graduate of Clinton High School and graduated from Northwestern University in 1936 with a BS in Commerce.

A resident of Clinton for more than 92 years, he owned and operated Bickelhaupt Motor Company and after retirement, he co-founded and co-directed the Bickelhaupt Arboretum.

His activities and awards with the automobile industry included: Charter member of Packard Dealer Advisory Council, Member of the Industry Relations Committee of National Automobile Dealers Association and Chairman of Imported Car Sub-Committee, President of Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, Charter Member of International Harvester Truck Dealers Advisory Council, Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Advisory Council, 1969 "Truck Dealer of the Year" by TIME magazine, first President of the National Truck Dealers Association and Director of National Automobile Dealers Association.

In 1970, he and Frances retired from business and civic endeavors and co-founded and co-directed the Bickelhaupt Arboretum which operates as a private foundation. He was a member of American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta, International Society of Arboriculture, Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, Municipal Arborists Urban Foresters Society, American Association of Museums and Ornamental Crabapple Society. He was elected to Board of Governors of International Society of Arboriculture and was a charter member of American Conifer Society.

His community activities and awards included: Chamber of Commerce New Industry Committee, original member and President of Clinton Development Corporation, Clinton "Boss of the Year" and "Man of the Year," YMCA Board of Trustees, Clinton National Bank Board of Directors, Dock Commission and United Fund Director.

Honors given to Mr. Bickelhaupt include: "Friends of Education Award" by the Clinton Education Association; "President's Award" and "Award of Merit" by the International Lilac Society; "Award for Distinguished Service" by Mt. St. Clare College; "Professional Service Award" by Institute of Museum Services; "Education Award" by National Arbor Day Foundation, "Outstanding Volunteer Award" by Iowa Urban and Community Forestry Council, the Lawrence Enersen Award for commitment to tree planting and conservation in community involvement by the National Arbor Day Foundation. He was awarded the Friend of Clinton Community College Alumni award. October 16, 2006, he was honored as Director Emeritus by the Board of Directors of the Arboretum. The Bickelhaupt Arboretum has been endowed in perpetuity as a gift to the community of Clinton where Robert lived.

His memberships included: Beta Theta Pi social fraternity, First Presbyterian Church, Clinton Elks Club, Clinton Country Club, Western Star Masonic Lodge #100 and Clinton Scottish Rite Bodies and KAABA Shrine where he was a 53 year member and Clinton Rotary where he was a Paul Harris Fellow and 67 year member.

Survivors include his wife of more than 68 years, Frances, of Clinton and two daughters: Frances Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph) Hill of Clinton and Linda Ann (Peter) Galanis of Southbury, Connecticut; three grandchildren: Shawn Elizabeth Hill (James) Lamb of Bettendorf, Iowa, J. Robert (Mia) Hill of Rio Rancho, New Mexico and Meggan Anne Hill (Vincent) McQueeney of Barrington, Illinois; four great-grandchildren: Morgan Elizabeth and Marshal James Lamb, Cooper Joseph Hill and Nicholas Joseph McQueeney. Robert's parents preceded him in death.

Following his wishes, his body was deeded to the Iowa Eye Bank and the University of IA Deeded Body Program for medical research. A Celebration of the Life of Robert Bickelhaupt to be held at the Bickelhaupt Arboretum will be announced in the Clinton Herald, Quad City Times and Des Moines Register.

The Robert Bickelhaupt Memorial has been established to further the Master Plan of the Arboretum which the Bickelhaupts had developed for the future of the collections.

Snell-Zornig Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Robert Earl "Bob" Bickelhaupt
Clinton, Iowa

August 15, 1914 - October 27, 2006
It came from The Clinton Herald
http://www.clintonherald.com/obituaries
graciously submitted by Christine Walters @ chrisw1940@yahoo.com

Henry Bormann

Henry Bormann Dies At Sugar Creek

This morning Undertaker Westphal was caller to the Henry Bormann home at Sugar Creek by the death of Mr. Bormann which occurred this morning and was caused by anemia. Mr. Bormann had been in failing health for some time. He was about forty years of age. He leaves to mourn his death his wife and three children.The funeral will be held from the Sugar Creek Church.

[Preston Times, Published October 17, 1918, submitted by Ken Wright]

Benjamin Broxam

PIONEER RESIDENT PASSES BEYOND

Mr. Benjamin Broxam Passes Away Early Wednesday Morning At Home On Matteson Street

Benjamin Broxam, one of Maquoketa's most highly respected residents, passed away Wednesday morning at five o'clock at his home on Matteson Street. Although Mr. Broxam was well advanced in years, he enjoyed good health until about a year ago, when he suffered a hard fall fracturing his hip and since which time he has been confined to his home.

Mr. Broxam was born in Lincolnshire, England, on May 1, 1831, and spent his early life on a farm in his native country. He came to the United States in the year 1852, and located in Ohio. After spending a year or two in the east he came to Iowa, settling in Clinton County, where he successfully followed the occupation of farming for many years. In 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lynch of Belmont County, Ohio. Mrs. Broxam was called to her rest in 1895. Mr. Broxam retired from active farm life in 1892 and has since resided in Maquoketa.

He was long identified with the interest of Clinton County, taking up his abode there when the county was new and assisted materially in the general upbuilding of the community in which he lived and was always ready to lend his influence to all worthy causes. He was widely known throughout Jackson and Clinton Counties for the integrity of his business methods and the honorable principles which always governed his life and won for him the highest regard and confidence of his fellow men. In every relation of life Mr. Broxam was recognized as possessing a strong sense of truth and justice and was always actuated by a sincere desire to make the world better and happier.

One son, Senator A. L. Broxam of this city survives. The funeral services will be held from the home this afternoon at 1:30 o'clock, Rev. Herbert Bossier will officiate. The body will then be taken to DeWitt where interment will be made by the side of his wife.

[Maquoketa Excelsior-Record, Published Friday, October 4, 1918]
Submitted by Ken Wright

Martin (Farmer) Burns

Final Rites for Farmer Burns in Iowa on Monday

Council Bluffs, Iowa. Jan. 9 - The body of Martin (Farmer) Burns, the 170-pounder who wrestled his way to the world championship, lay in state at a mortuary here Saturday.

Friends and fans, sorrowed by his death Friday night at the age of 75, filed by the bier of the man they came to know as the dean of American wrestlers.

The funeral will be held at the Catholic Church at Toronto, Canada*, Monday with burial in the family lot there.

The Farmer won his first grappling bout and a side bet of 15 cents at the age of 8. He went on to engage in 6,000 matches, losing only seven.

In 1895 he reached the top by defeating Evan Lewis (the original Strangler Lewis) for the world title. He held the championship until 1898, when Tom Jenkins took it from him.

About a year later, Burns met a young Iowa farm youth named Frank Gotch in the ring at Fort Dodge, Iowa. The Farmer threw Gotch, then motioned to the crowd for silence and said: "I never have met an amateur wrester the like of this fellow in my life. If he will come with me I'll make him champion."

Burns made good his promise, Gotch eventually retired - undefeated.

Burns, who at no time during his career weighed more than 170 pounds for his important matches, said his success resulted from his clean method of living and the great strength of his shoulders and neck. To demonstrate the strength of his neck muscles he once was "hanged" at Rockford, Ill.

Burns hated modern wrestling, saying: "It's a shame to degrade such a fine sport."

[Dallas Morning News, Dallas, Texas, Published January 10, 1937]
Submitted by Cathy D.

*[Note - error in original article, should have showed that Martin (Farmer) Burns funeral was held in the Catholic Church in Toronto, Clinton Co., Iowa and is buried in St. James Cemetery, Toronto, Clinton Co., Iowa.]

Edgar Fitch

Accidental Death

Edgar Fitch, of Delmar, Iowa, was found dead in his bed at the City hotel, corner State and Sixteenth streets, at 9 o'clock yesterday morning. The man had been suffocated by gas. When the door of the room was forced open the gas jet was found turned on full head. The coroner's investigation did not reveal whether Fitch committed suicide or came to his death accidentally. - Chicago Herald, 7th inst.

Mr. Fitch, who resides upon his farm between Maquoketa and Delmar, went to Chicago about a week preceding his death with livestock. He sold his cattle, remitted $2,100 check home, and remained in the city to visit the world's fair a few days and had occupied this room several nights, which would disprove any impression that he had blown out the gas.

Mr. Sewell Shattuck, who went after and accompanied the remains home, was of the opinion from what he could learn, that Mr. Fitch had turned the gas off, but before loosening his hold upon the thumb screw had unconsciously turned it on again. His valuables were found all safe in his room. His remains were brought home Sunday night and buried on Monday. The news of his sudden death was received by the wife and mother while trading at D. H .Anderson's store on Saturday, and was a terrible shock to them, both fainting.

Edgar A. Fitch was born in Clinton county, Iowa, and was in his 27th year. Nov. 27th, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Williams, to whom was born one child. The deceased was an industrious, honorable young man and was respected and esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances and his wife and relatives have the heartfelt sympathy in his sudden and untimely death. The funeral occurred at the M. E. church on Monday, Rev. Jas. Hughes of Mt. Vernon officiating.

[Jackson Sentinel, May 11, 1893]
Submitted by Ken Wright

Bernard Flannery

Bernard Flannery, a pioneer of Clinton County and residing southwest of Charlotte, is dead, aged 96 years. The funeral was held at the Deep Creek Church Saturday forenoon.

[Preston Times, Published Feb. 9, 1906, submitted by Ken Wright]

James Mathew Hodson

James Mathew Hodson, 75, 815 Thirteenth Avenue, South, Clinton, died of a heart attack in his sleep, about 4 a.m. today. The body was taken to the Bragonier-Fay chapel where friends may call beginning tonight.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the Bragonier-Fay chapel, the Rev. L. D. Havighurst officiating. Burial will be in Springdale cemetery.

James Mathew Hodson was born May 29, 1874, in Savannah, Illinois, the son of James and Rachel Hodson. On Nov. 27, 1900, he was married to Lena Kimbell. He was a well known engineer on the river for many years.

Surviving are his wife, a son, Ben, Palatine, Illinois, a daughter Mrs. Carye Baker, Clinton, two grandchildren, a brother, Richard and a sister Mrs. Curney Spurgeon, Long Beach, California

[Clinton Herald, Published July 20, 1949, submitted by Ken Wright]

Adam A. Leinbaugh

Hold Funeral At Lost Nation For Adam Leinbaugh

Funeral services for Adam A. Leinbaugh of Lost Nation were held Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., at the Union church, with the Rev. B. H. Chenley officiating. Burial was in the Lost Nation cemetery.

Mrs. M. H. Dake, Mrs. H. L. Frazier, H. H. Burrichter and the Rev. B. H. Chenley, accompanied by Mrs. F. W. Deckman, sang "Nearer Still Nearer" and "Abide With Me." Bearers were Milton Edelman, J. E. Gilroy, William Ruggeberg, William Kuehn, Vince Willimack and Edward Myatt.

[Jackson Sentinel, Published April 27, 1934, submitted by Ken Wright]

Sister Mary Loras

Former Resident of Delmar Dies

DELMAR-Local relatives have received word of the death of Sister Mary Loras, 63, a former Delmar resident, who died at Council Bluffs Friday, following a heart attack. Funeral service was held Monday at Dubuque.

Sister Mary Loras, the former Loras Fitzpatrick, was born in Delmar, February 8, 1880, and spent her early girlhood here. She graduated from Delmar High School and later entered nurse's training in Dubuque.

For a period of about 33 years she has been a Sister, residing in Dubuque, Clinton and Waverly. For the past 15 years she had been in ill health and had lived in Council Bluffs.

Surviving are two brothers, John and Robert Fitzpatrick of Delmar and Miss Nell Fitzpatrick of Chicago.

[Jackson Sentinel, Published January 21, 1944, submitted by Ken Wright]

Gordon Lott

Gordon Lott Dies of Measles

As the steamer Pittsburgh landed at Lyons Saturday morning, a father with a heavy heart left it and proceeded to Clinton to arrange for the funeral of his little son, Gordon Lott, aged one year and eight months, who died of measles. The family were from Duluth, Minnesota, and were moving south-Clinton Herald

[Bellevue Herald, Published May 3, 1887, submitted by Ken Wright]

Frank Lovell

Saturday was a lovely day, warm, bright, and springlike. Early in the afternoon, before 2 p.m., the hour set for the funeral, scores of people, young, middle aged or old, as the case might be, crowded the Lovell residence, door, yard and the sidewalks outside. They had come together to pay the last rites to the memory of Frank Lovell, whose sad death by drowning has been chronicled on these pages. Seldom has the funeral of one so young been so largely attended, but Frank was widely know and universally liked by people of all classes and nationalities, who thus endeavored to show their respect to the dead and sympathy for the living by attendance at the services.

Rev. G.R. Manning officiated, appropriate music was rendered by a choir of young people, and those attending the casket were the following former schoolmates of the deceased: Ollie Meyers, Tom Westbrook, Albert Rudman, Mark Angell, Frank Jones, and Claude Pierpont. The remains were interred in Oakland cemetery.

[The Lyons Mirror, Published Feb. 1892, submitted by Shirley Lowe]

Barbara Miller

Barbara Miller, a highly respected lady, wife of Anton Miller, of DeWitt, died at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. F. Kook, of DeWitt, on Saturday last, aged 69 years.

She came with her husband to Iowa in 1849.

She leaves three children, Mrs. Christiansen and Mrs. Kook, of DeWitt, and John A. Miller, of New Mexico, besides an aged husband to mourn her loss. She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Rev. Mr. Taintor preaching the funeral sermon.

[Clinton Daily Herald, Published September 19, 1883, submitted by Ken Wright]

Dr. M. C. Osborn

Died at his home in Delmar, Monday, April 23, 1894, of bowel trouble, Dr. M. C. Osborn, aged about 35 years. This sudden death of one of Delmar’s brightest young professional men, was the result of a strain received a few days before, while assisting his wife with some household work.

Born in Ohio, schooled in medicine and married at Wilton Junction, Dr. M. C. Osborn came to Delmar some years ago, entered the drug trade and soon became popular and prosperous as druggist and physician.

The funeral occurred yesterday afternoon and the remains were taken to the home of his wife’s people at Wilton Junction for interment. He leaves a wife and children in great bereavement and the whole community of Delmar in mourning.

[Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, Published April 26, 1894, submitted by Ken Wright]

Marie A. Roling

Marie A. Roling, age 90, of Charlotte, Iowa, died Saturday, October 20, 2007 at Mercy Medical Center North in Clinton, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at Assumption Catholic Church in Charlotte with Father Scott Lemaster as Celebrant. Burial will be in the Assumption Catholic Church Cemetery in Charlotte. A Visitation will be held from 58 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 with a Rosary being held at 4:45 p.m. at the Miller-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Preston. A memorial fund has been established in Marie's memory. Marie was born on January 31, 1917 the daughter of John L and Elizabeth (Timmer) Elsner in Charlotte, Iowa. Marie married Lawrence Roling on January 6, 1942 in the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sugar Creek, Iowa. Lawrence died in September of 1968. Marie worked for the Alverno Nursing Home in Clinton for 22 years, retiring in 1997. She was a member of the Assumption Church in Charlotte and was active in the Alter and Rosary Society. She enjoyed cooking, but most of all she loved spending time with her grandchildren. Marie will be deeply missed by four sons, David (Mary Therese) Roling of Charlotte, Delbert (Priscilla) Roling of Lost Nation, Iowa, Eugene (Penny) Roling of Dewitt, Iowa and Dennis (Brooke) Roling of Charlotte; two daughters, Bernadette (Jim) Boyd of St. John, Indiana and Colleen Renner of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren; two sisters, Irene Elsner of Delmar, Iowa and Gertrude Grandick of Delmar. Her husband, Lawrence; four brothers; two sisters; one grandchild; and one great grandchild, precede Marie in death.

[Submitted by Lori Gilbert - lorigilbert@gmail.com]

Infant Sanderson

The little son of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Sanderson died on Wednesday at Burgess, Clinton County.

Maquoketa Excelsior, Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa, October 24, 1885
Submitted by Ken Wright

Steve Sharp

See Tom Berry

Dr. Douglas B. Staggs

Dr. Douglas B. Staggs, son of George and Maria Fuller Staggs, was born January 23, 1872, at DeWitt, Iowa. He became ill February 9th and was taken to Mercy Hospital, Anamosa on February 11th, where he passed away on February 13, 1943.

In the public schools of his birthplace, Dr. Staggs began his education and after completing the high school course in 1893, he entered upon medical studies at Hahnemann College, Chicago, Illinois. In the spring of 1896 he received his degree of Medical Doctor from the institution and immediately engaged in the practice of medicine in Low Moor, Iowa, remaining there until 1898. In that year he came to Monmouth, which has been the place of his labors.

He was president of the Monmouth School Board and telephone company and mayor of Monmouth, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death. He was a member of the Monmouth Community Church and of Keystone Masonic Lodge of Wyoming.

In January, 1897, Dr. Staggs was married to Mae Van Epps at Low Moor, Iowa. Two sons were born to that union, Earl of Maquoketa and Harold of Monmouth. On November 7, 1925, he was married to Marjorie Sutton of Monmouth, who with the two sons survive. Also surviving are a stepdaughter, Mrs. Anadria Caraway of Monmouth; two brothers, O. E. Staggs of DeWitt and C. H. Staggs of Los Angeles, California; two sisters, Mrs. J. H. Phillbert of DeWitt and Miss Edith Staggs of Davenport; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; an aunt, Mrs. H. B. Mills of Chicago and many distant relatives.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist Church on Tuesday, the Rev. Rev. F. E. Mastin of McCausland and the Rev. Robert Marshall of Chicago, officiating. Hymns were sung by Jess L. Tomlinson of Hopkinton, accompanied by Mrs. S. A. Orris, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Zak and Mrs. Ann Best had charge of the flowers. Pall bearers were E. S. Heath, E.R. Bristol, Howard Gee, George Trimble, J. W. Allen, William Hurst, S. A. Orris and Joe Nowachek. Burial was in the Monmouth Cemetery. Masonic burial services were in charge of Lee M, Sherrill.

[Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, Published February 19, 1943, submitted by Ken Wright]

Swanson Son

A Maniac Beheads His Son

Clinton, Ia., April 1 - August Swanson, once an inmate of an insane asylum, who lived alone with his three children, aged 3, 7 and 9 years, put his 7-year-old son on a mattress Saturday night with his neck across a block of wood and then with an ax decapitated the little one. He then fled.

[The Guthrie Daily Leader; Guthrie, Oklahoma; Published April 2, 1895, Transcribed by D. Donlon]

Benjamin Franklin Tanner

Death of a Former Resident.

The following obituary notice may be of interest to the older citizens of Nobles county as the subject was one of the first settlers in the county, having come to Nobles county before the present site of Worthington was surveyed. The notice, taken from an Iowa paper follows:

Benjamin Franklin Tanner was born at Oxford, Michigan July 8, 1842 and died at Camanche, Iowa, August 11th 1908, aged 66 years 1 month and 3 days.

On February 4th, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriette M. Oakes and in October of that year, moved to Minnesota, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company K, 9th Minn. Vol. Infantry, and served until the close of the war.

After leaving the services of his country he moved his family to southwestern Minnesota where later he took up a soldier's claim where the most of their lives were spent and where six children were reared, one son and five daughters, all of whom with his wife, survive him, Nellie, Mrs. J. Mortenson, residing in Minnesota, Clara, Mrs. Danielson of Oregon, Carrie, Mrs. O.B. Lacy, residing in Camanche, Iowa, Georgianna, Mrs. Marshall, who resides in the state of Washington, Sylvester B. Tanner, of South Dakota, and Lydia, Mrs. McLeod, whose home is in Minnesota.

In June, 1907, Mr. Tanner and his wife came to Camanche, Iowa, to be near their daughter, Mrs. O.B. Lacy, where their home has since been and where on Tuesday, August 11th, 1908, the end came after months of suffering from ailments brought on by exposure during his time of service in the civil war.

The funeral service took place from the Baptist church in Camanche at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13th, following which interment was made in Camanche cemetery.

(Worthington Advance, Worthington, Minnesota, August 21, 1908)
Submitted by Gary Boomgaarden

Elijah Tompkins

The Clinton Herald of last Saturday furnishes us the particulars of the suicide of a former resident of this county, by the name of Elijah Tompkins, who resided in Monmouth township. It says: About 7 o'clock this morning, the family of Elijah Tompkins, a farmer living on the Camanche road, four miles below this city, near the school house, were startled by the discovery that Mr. Tompkins had cut his throat, almost from ear to ear, with a razor, and was then in an insensible and dying condition. As soon as the household recovered from the first startling effects of the discovery, the neighbors were summoned and a messenger dispatched for medical aid, but to no avail, for the old man rapidly sank under the effects of the fatal wound, and died a short time after he was found, without vouchsafing any explanation of his willful act.

Mr. Tompkins was 78 years old. He formerly lived at Fremont, Jackson County, Iowa, and subsequently in Savanna, Illinois, whence he removed to Clinton about the year 1868, being engaged here as a teamster and residing most of the time on Second Avenue, west of Fourth Street. In the fall of 1871, after the great fire, he moved to Chicago, where he essayed to get a living by teaming. Not succeeding, he returned to this county last spring, and rented the place near the school house on the Camanche Road, where he has lived since. His second wife and two of her children survive him here, none of his own children living in this vicinity.

The deceased became quite well known in this city while here, and a large number of people will remember the old man who was always striving to earn an honest living, but whom adversity ever seemed to follow like a shadow. He had been out of health sometime previous to his death, and the tragic termination of his existence may be traced to a worn out body and temporary aberration of mind.

Jackson Sentinel, January 28, 1875
Submitted by: Ken Wright

Michael P. Welch

Another Old Settler Laid To Rest

Michael P. Welch, aged 92, was born in Ireland in 1827, and came to this country when only a boy and with his parents settled in Clinton County, Iowa in the early days, being one of the pioneer settlers of Iowa and for many years made his home near Lost Nation and in his younger days he was a prosperous farmer and by his industry and honesty, he succeeded in gaining his share of this world's goods. He was a firm believer in the Catholic Church, which belief he adhered to his last days.

The deceased was never married, living with his mother until her death, and then always alone.

The last few years his health was failing and was taken care of in a home for old people in Dubuque, Iowa, where he died April 8, 1919. The remains were taken to Lost Nation Wednesday morning where high mass was said and after which the remains were taken to Vinton, Iowa and laid beside the remains of his mother.

He is survived by one brother, William Welch.

[Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, Published April 11, 1919]
Submitted by Ken Wright

Harold F. Wennerstrom

Clinton, Iowa. Harold F. Wennerstrom, 83, Clinton Retirement Center, Clinton, died Wednesday at the retirement center.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma Funeral Home with the Rev. Leon E. Willhite, pastor of the Community Congregational Church, Clinton, Iowa, officiating. Burial will be in the Fulton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home with Masonic Services at 7 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Harold Wennerstrom was born in Rock Island on Jan 3, 1900, the son of Henry Wennerstrom and Louise Hawkinston and was educated in Rock Island schools. On June 30, 1927 he married Inez Opheim in Moline. He was a member of the Fulton City Lodge 189, AF & AM member of the lodge, First Congregational Church, Eau Claire, Wis. A long time resident of Eau Claire, Wis., where he was self-employed, he moved to Clinton in 1977 and has resided at the Clinton Retirement Center since March of 1983. Prior to that he resided at Cambridge Place, Clinton, Iowa.

Surviving are his wife, Inez and one grandson.

[Sterling Illinois Daily Gazette, Thursday, July 21, 1983, Submitted by Barbara Gehlsen Nugent]

Inez O. Wennerstrom

Inez O. Wennerstrom, 82, of Clinton Retirement Village, Clinton, Ia., died Wednesday in the Clinton Retirement Village.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, in the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma Funeral Home, followed by a private cremation with the cremains interred in the Fulton Cemetery. The Rev. Mel Strain, pastor of the Fulton Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Friday, in the Fulton Chapel, Bosma Funeral Home.

Mrs. Wennerstrom was born on April 19, 1903, in Lee County, the daughter of Olav and Sigrid Seljestad Opheim. She married Harold F. Wennerstrom in Moline, on June 30, 1927. He preceded her in death on July 20, 1983.

Mrs. Wennerstrom attended Fulton grade school and graduated from Fulton High School in 1921. She attended the DeKalb Teachers College, and taught in the rural Whiteside County schools, and also the fourth grade in the Fulton grade school. The deceased was a member of the First Congregational Church of Eau Claire, Wis., where she served as director of Christian education for many years. She also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and was active in Girl Scouts leadership for several years. Mrs. Wennerstrom is survived by one grandson, David Cross, of Kalamazoo, Mich.; three nephews, and two nieces.

[Sterling, Illinois Daily Gazette, Thursday, 23 January 1986, Submitted by Barbara Gehlsen Nugent]

C. H. Wessell

Clinton County Advertiser: On Thursday morning the nearly lifeless body of C. H. Wessell, was found by Chas. Jargo, about forty rods from the Teeds Grove post office. The head bore marks of severe bruises. Wessell was taken into a neighboring house, but expired a few minutes after being found. The night before he had been at a party at Teeds Grove, and left there about one o'clock in the morning. The body was not discovered until six.

An inquest was holden last night but the coroner refused to divulge any particulars this morning, except that there were a couple of bullet holes through the old man's head. It is supposed to be the work of some parties who were at the dance, and became angered at him. Arrests are momentarily looked for, as it is supposed the coroner has possession of some facts as to who the guilty parties are.

Deceased was about 70 years of age, and had resided near Teeds Grove for nearly a score of years. He leaves a wife and several children residing in that neighborhood, one of which, Aug., is store keeper at Teeds.

The coroner was notified yesterday afternoon by Mrs. Aug. Wessell, and, together with Mr. Jackson, court reporter, and other citizens from Clinton, went to the scene of the tragedy last evening for the purpose of viewing the body.

(Clinton County Advisor, Jackson Sentinel, January 8, 1891)
Submitted by Ken Wright

Corrine Elizabeth (Lockwood) Wright

Mrs. Lewis Wright--Corrine Elizabeth, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Duane F. Lockwood, was born in Brookfield township, Clinton county, Iowa, December 9, 1885, and grew to a beautiful young womanhood and always lived in that community.

She was united in marriage to Mr. Lewis Wright on Feb. 22, 1912, and this union was blessed with a sweet little girl, Helen, now 4 years old.

She was a woman of high ideals of duty and service and on Easter 1913, she and her husband united with the Methodist church at Elwood, Iowa, of which she was a devoted and active member. Always present at the service when health and circumstances permitted. She was an active and enthusiastic worker in the Ladies' Aid at Elwood and usually present at the regular meetings. Her home life and activity in maintaining it was exemplary and no duty or demand upon her strength and time seemed too much for her. Her love and devotion to her parents and sisters was such that all seemed to lean on her and always enjoyed her presence and counsel. As a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and neighbor she was a fine illustration and we do not understand why she should be taken away so soon, except that her work here was finished and her Heavenly Father had something better for her to do and enjoy.

She had symptoms of goiter for a number of years but this did not annoy her until the last few months when medical advice was asked and an operation was suggested. She went to Iowa City the last part of May and was successfully operated upon for her trouble and rallied nicely so that she returned home Sunday, June 9th. An infection set in, and all that medical skill, kind, efficient nursing and all that friends and loved ones could not keep her and she passed peacefully away and fell asleep in Jesus on Tuesday, June 18, at 4 a.m., aged 32 years, 6 months and 9 days.

Besides the sorrowing and bereft husband and daughter, Helen, the parents and sisters, Blanche, Cora and Opal, and a large circle of friends and relatives survive to mourn her departure. She has done what she could and entered into rest.

Funeral services were held from the home, where she had always lived, 6 miles southwest of Maquoketa on Thursday, June 20, at 2 p.m., where a large circle of friends gathered to pay earthly tribute to the departed and sympathy to the living. Burial was made in the Union cemetery, Rev. Davis of Elwood, her pastor, assisted by Rev. D. F. Boomershine, officiating.

[Jackson Sentinel, Published June 25, 1918, submitted by Ken Wright]

Laura B. Zabler

Clinton, Iowa, 74, of 845 5th Avenue South, died Thursday, June 13, 1963 in Jane Lamb Hospital where she had been a patient for six days. She died after a long illness. The body was taken from the Bragonier-Fay Chapel to the McCarthy-Rueter funeral home in Burlington, Wisconsin where services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be in Burlington Town Cemetery.She was born November 24, 1888 in Burlington, Wisconsin, the daughter of Charles and Mary (Lightfield) Zabler. She had lived in Clinton for 46 years and had worked as housekeeper in the G. E. Bickelhaupt residence. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and the Turner auxiliary.Surviving are one brother, one sister and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters and two brothers.

[Submitted by Alice Horner]