Obituaries of Palo Alto County, Iowa

Thomas Adrian

Thomas Adrian, a carpenter of Emmetsburg, aged about 50 years, while out hunting recently, pulled his gune to him muzzle first. An explosion followed, and Adrian died in fifteen minutes. He left a family of seven.

[Carroll Herald, Carroll, Iowa, Published October 11, 1882, submitted by Cathy D.]

John Anderson

John Anderson, a carpenter, living at Emmetsburg, Palo Alto County, sat down to supper a few evenings ago leaving his little four-month-old baby playing in an adjoining room with a little boy about six years old, from one of the neighboring houses, who somehow managed to get hold of a pistol, which was discharged while pointed at the baby’s face, the charge passing in at the mouth and coming out at the base of the brain, causing instant death.

[Lyons Weekly Mirror, Published July 9, 1887, submitted by Cathy D.]

Arvine P. Beck

Arvine P. Beck died at his home in Independence township, Palo Alto, Co., near Forsythe, Wednesday, February 23rd, 1898, of Bright’s disease, aged 72 years and 10 months.

The deceased was born in Columbian county, Ohio in the month of May, 1825, and grew to manhood’s estate in his native county.

In 1849 he was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Covington, who with five grown children, survive him.

In the year 1872, Mr. Beck and family came to Emmetsburg to reside, but in the spring of 1873, he removed to his homestead in Independence township, where he continued to reside until death called him hence.

When Mr. Beck first moved to his homestead, the greater share of the country was a vast prairie, but he lived to see this prairie transformed into beautiful and comfortable homes.

He was a strong man in every way, always ready to do his duty to his family, his neighbors, his country, and his God.

When the civil war broke out he left home, wife, and children, and enlisted in the 89th Indiana U.S.A., and fought manfully in defense of his country, and in one of the battles for the union he was severely wounded. He was a member of the Henry Dillon, G.A.R. post of this city, and was won’t to march with his comrades on Memorial day to aid in depositing tokens of love on the graves of the heroes who had passed on to the enternal camping ground before him. But, now he too, has gone to join his comrades, and another chair is vacant at the hearthstone.

The funeral took place Sunday, Feb. 27, at the German Methodist church in Fenton township, Kossuth Co., and the remains interred in the church cemetery.

[Newspaper Unknown, Death on 23 Feb. 1897, Submitted by: Carolyn Kuczmarski]

Ray Blanchard

Ray Blanchard, who had been in poor health for one year, died at his home in Colby last Thursday, August 18th. Funeral services were held at the Lulloff Funeral Home in Colby Sunday afternoon, Rev. F. J. Smith officiating, and internment was made in the Colby cemetery. Pall bearers were Russell Sorenson, Fred Gumz, John Schaller, Tom Wicker, Wm. Beawer, Otto Brown. Flowers were in charge of V.F.W. Auxiliary members and were Mrs. Fred Gumz of Spencer, Mrs. Milford Frome, Mrs. David Stieber, Miss Ella Neuhaus, Mrs. Orville Baumgart, Miss Hazel Baumgartner, Mrs. Ed Allmann, Mrs. Carl Fischer, Mrs. Otto Rannow, Mrs. Otto Braun, Mrs. Clarence Braun and Mrs. Harold Kademan. Legion and V.F.W. members took part in the military rites.

Mr. Blanchard was born in Ayrshire, Iowa, on July 30, 1893. At the age of 14 years, he moved to North Dakota and when he was 27, he came to Northern Wisconsin, settling in Brantwood. In August 1918, he joined the United States army and was mustered out three months later. On October 1, 1936, he was united in marriage to Elsie Henderson of Brantwood. He worked for a logging company and the railroad for several years and in 1935 he came to Colby and engaged in farming with his father. Three years ago, after the death of his father, he moved to the city of Colby.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife and two brothers – Kenneth of Spencer and George of Colby.

Out of town people here for the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Rouse of Ayrshire, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Pendelbury of Emmetsburg, Iowa, Mrs. Edith Hughes, Miss Margaret Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Henderson and son, Michael, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Henderson and son, Gregory, of Milwaukee, Mr. and Mrs. Urho Henderson and daughter, Carol, of Brantwood, Mrs. C. R. Sorenson and Mr. and Mrs. Russel Sorenson of Medford, Miss Mildred Wilson of Marshfield, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Blanchard and family, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Blanchard and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gumz of Spencer, Mr. and Mrs. John Schaller and son, Robert, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Van Sleet and son, Russel, and Miss Darlene Flink of Unity and Mr. and Mrs. August Geise and family of Edgar.

[Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) Thursday, 25 Aug. 1949; transcribed by Marla Zwakman]

Collington & Compton

Two boys, aged 17 years each, sons of Jay Collington and Ora Compton, Palo Alto county farmers, were drowned near here in the Pocahontas county drainage ditch. The boys were missed and their clothes were found on the bank of the ditch. A search was begun for their bodies and both were recovered. The ditch was running bank-full of water, caused by recent rains.

[Carroll Herald, Carroll, Iowa, Published August 28, 1912, submitted by Cathy D.]

Cody, Downs, Duffy, & Henry

Emmetsburg—Owing to the numerous deaths during the past few days the festivities common to New Year’s week at Emmetsburg were curtailed. The death of T. J. Duffy, former mayor, was followed by the death of Mrs. George Downs, of Great Oak township, and that of Mrs. P. J. Cody, of Fairfield township. Mrs. W. G. Henry died after an operation at a hospital in Dubuque.

[Carroll Herald, Carroll, Iowa, Published January 8, 1913, submitted by Cathy D.]

T. J. Duffy

Emmetsburg, Ia., Jan. 2 - T. J. Duffy mayor of Emmetsburg, aged 65, was buried yesterday. He had resided here 30 years. This was his fourth term as mayor. The death was caused by pneumonia.

[Carroll Herald, Carroll, Iowa, Published January 8, 1913, submitted by Cathy D.]

Elsenbast & Jensen

Killed His Pupil

C. N. Jensen, a school teacher at Graettinger, is under arrest charged with causing the death of Barney Elsenbast, aged nine. The boy became unruly in school and the teacher struck him on the head with a ruler without any intentions, however, of injuring him. Two days later the boy died. The affair has caused much excitement.

[Clinton Mirror, Clinton, Iowa, Published May 21, 1904, submitted by Cathy D.]

Edward W. Greening

Fairbank, Ia., Nov. 10. – Special
Edward William Greening passed away suddenly Wednesday night at his home here.

He was born in Germany, March 14, 1865, coming to America when he was 13 years old. He lived in Palo Alto county for some time, then, in 1887, he came to this vicinity.

He was married Feb. 23, 1887, to Emma Welke. They lived on the Bahe farm, northwest of Fairbank, for 12 years and later purchased a farm. Seven children were born, one passing away in infancy.

Besides the widow, he is survived by two sons, Herman of Waterloo and Edward at home, and four daughters, Ella and Bertha of Westgate, and Ina and Cora at home.

Funeral services were conducted at the Lutheran church here by Rev. F. W. Bruch. Burial in the Fairbank cemetery.

[Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Dubuque, Iowa, Published November 11, 1923, submitted by Cathy Danielson]

Margaret Jackman

Mrs. Michael Jackman Dead. Had Resided in this County Since 1858

Mrs. Michael Jackman, whose dangerous illness was reported in last week's Democrat, passed away at her home in this city last Wednesday morning at 1:30. The funeral was held Friday. A requiem high mass was celebrated by Very Rev. P.F. Farrelly. There was a large attendance of old friends and neighbors. The interment was in St. John's cemetery. The pall bearers were Joseph, John, Francis and Patrick Jackman, Daniel Murphy, and Paul Shaney, all nephews of the deceased.

Margaret Lowery was born in the county of West Meath, in the province of Linster [sic.], Ireland, March 17, 1839. Hence she was seventy-five years of age. She came to the United States in 1854. In 1857 she was married at Elgin, Illinois, to Michael Jackman. Mr. and Mrs. Jackman came to this county in 1858, locating on a homestead east of Medium Lake. Mr. Jackman died March 18, 1901. The surviving members of the family are Patrick of Grand Island, Nebraska, Michael of Waterloo, Mrs. Richard Nolan of Mankato, Minnesota, Mrs. Catherine Conlon, William Jackman, and Misses Mary and Agnes Jackman, all of this city. There are twenty-one grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mrs. Jackman was among the first housekeepers of Palo Alto county. For many years her hospitable home on the east bank of Medium Lake was a stopping place for newcomers, who came to locate on the bleak prairies of this section of the state, and for many travelers, who called for a meal and a night's lodging. The best that the humble accommodations of pioneer days afforded was at their disposal and was freely given to them, and they left with the assurance that they would be welcome should they call again.

Mrs. Jackman was a kind and loving mother, a generous and prudent home provider, an obliging neighbor and a staunch, helpful friend. During the last thirty years of her life she was an invalid and was unable to leave her home, but she bore her affliction with Christian fortitude and was willing to make any sacrifice of life's comforts and happiness that Providence might require of her. Several sons and daughters, all of who are today active and influential men and women in the world, have reason to recall her many thoughtful and affectionate deeds with the sweetest, the most hallowed of memories and will tenderly cherish through life her useful and edifying career. She was one of the last of the old settlers to linger. Her death will be mourned not only by those who were bound to her by the strongest and the firmest of ties, but also by many who found her so hospitable in early days and who can never forget her for her generosity and her kindness when in pioneer days they as strangers called at her home.

[Emmetsburg Democrat Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, IA 7 Oct 1914 - Submitted by Sandy]