Sunday's Obituary: Willis W. Wade

Yikes! Has it really been over a year since I have posted anything to this blog? (Edit: No, I posted something in July.) I suppose I can believe it, as my day job has been increasingly demanding the past few years and, sadly, I can devote less and less time to genealogy. My interest has not waned, but it is seldom now that I can sit down and concentrate on it for the amount of time necessary to create thoughtful blog posts.

I have, however, made many new discoveries over the past couple years. A summer road trip in 2023 took me to the FamilySearch Library and retraced the route my Underwood ancestors traveled through Utah and Idaho. Naturally, I did a fair amount of research along the way. I also took video footage and am slowly working my way through editing it and posting it to my YouTube channel.

FamilySearch's introduction of searching through computer-transcribed handwritten records has yielded some amazing results for me, as well. The project is still in beta testing, but I highly recommend you try it out if you haven't yet. You can access it at https://www.familysearch.org/en/labs/

Both of these activities have filled my to-do list with numerous documents to transcribe--in addition to the ones I already had. So perhaps I will keep this blog active for a while with these transcriptions as I slowly make my way through them. Not the most exciting content, perhaps, and bound to be rather disjointed as I jump from branch to branch, but at least it is something to keep my hand in.

Since it is Sunday, I might as well begin with an obituary. This one is for Willis W. Wade, my first cousin three times removed. He was a son of Joseph S. Wade (my great-grandfather Allen C. Wade's brother) and his wife Susan Evins.

Willis W. Wade


LODI, Sept. 9--Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. tomorrow in the Hale & Bawden Funeral Home for Willis W. Wade, 84, retired local farmer, who died yesterday in his home at Rt. 4, Box 98.


Following the rites, graveside services will be conducted in Cherokee Memorial Park under the auspices of the Lodi Masonic Lodge.


Mr. Wade is survived by his wife, Sarah; a son, William J. Wade of Lodi, an officer in the Lodi Masonic Lodge; 2 daughters, Mrs. Bertha Spaulding and Mrs. Edna Brown, both of Ontario, Calif.; a sister, Miss Carrie Wade of Lodi; 2 grandsons and a graddaughter, including Mrs. Lataine Hughes of Turlock; and 5 great grandchildren.


Mr. Wade was the father of the Herbert A. Wade and Mrs. Lottie E. Wilson of Lodi.


A native of Falls City, Neb., Mr. Wade was a member of the Grandfield, Okla., Masonic Lodge and he was a past member of the Lodi Lodge of Odd Fellows.

Source:

"Willis W. Wade," Stockton Record, 9 Sept 1955, p. 15, col. 7; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 18 Feb 2023).

Sunday's Obituary: Mr. Mohney

One of my favorite finds during my most recent access to Newspapers.com is also one of the most enigmatic. I am taking liberties in applying the term "obituary" to this article, but... it's my blog and I can do what I want. And I'm dying to write about this one. (No pun intended.)

Clarion County.--A Mr. Mohney, who resided near Reimersburg, was kicked in the stomach by a horse from the effects of which he died in less than twenty-four hours. He was walking along conversing with a person on horseback, when to avoid the worst part of the road he crossed over behind the horse when the animal kicked him. He suffered most excrutiatingly [sic] until death came to his relief. Truly "in the midst of life we are in death."

Why do I find this article so compelling? It doesn't even record Mr. Mohney's first name. It was originally clipped by another user, who titled the clipping "Adam Mohney Death," but I have yet to locate any substantiating documents for that name.

Even so, the article supplies so many intriguing possibilities, and may even be a clue to my most recent brick wall. Most of my family lines can be solidly traced back several generations, but the parents of my great-grandfather John S. Brosius seemingly appeared out of nowhere in 1852. In that year, my great-great-grandfather Adam Brocius purchased 50 acres in South Shenango township, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Before then, my Brosius line is a mystery.

Adam Brocius' wife is remembered in my family as Margrette Mooney, but the surnames of numerous DNA matches suggest that her surname was actually Mohney. However, I have thus far been unable to discover exactly how she ties into the Mohney family. So the mere coincidence of the surname Mohney is not enough to attract more than cursory interest in this article.

The surname Mohney combined with a kick of a horse causing death is clear reason for interest, though. As I have mentioned in at least one previous post, there is an oral history within the Brosius family of a grandfather dying by being kicked by a mule. Who the grandfather was who died in that way is inconsistent, depending upon the storyteller, sometimes being John S. Brosius himself and sometimes his father Adam Brocius. So it seems entirely possible that the victim wasn't either of them at all, but perhaps the story is a mangled remembrance of the death of Margrette Mohney's father, or at least someone in her line.

Her parentage has not yet been determined, so it could be that this Mr. Mohney is her long-lost father. Naturally, proving such an optimistic hypothesis will take a great deal of additional research, but it gives me a starting place. I am reasonably certain that Adam Brocius and Margrette Mohney moved to South Shenango from elsewhere in Pennsylvania, but both surnames are surprisingly common in that part of the country during the appropriate time period, so any hint of a starting place is greatly appreciated.

Mr. Mohney's death took place in 1858, when Adam and Margrette Brocius would have been a young married couple. No indication of Mr. Mohney's age is given in the article, so it is not impossible that he was of the right age to be Margrette's father. The location of his residence and death is in Clarion county, which is not far from Crawford county, sitting to the southeast, with only Venango county dividing the two. Even in those days, it would have been a reasonable distance to migrate while still remaining near enough to occasionally visit family for special occasions.

So now my task is laid before me. I need to build out Mr. Mohney's family tree, and see if I can discover if he connects in any way to Margrette Mohney. If not her father, perhaps he is her brother or an uncle. Or perhaps this is just another wild goose chase.

Sources:

"Pennsylvania Items: Clarion County," Raftsman's Journal, 6 Jan 1858, p. 2, col. 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 18 Feb 2023).

Crawford, Pennsylvania, Deeds Xeroxed by Gloria Brosius and sent to Amber Brosius, John Ralston to Adam Brocius, 30 Nov 1852; Crawford County Office of the Clerk of Courts, Meadville.

Sunday's Obituary: Rosa Fox

Over the past two weeks I have featured my 2great-grandparents, Louis Fox and Cora Jones. This week it seems only fitting to feature their young daughter Rosa, my great-grandmother's sister. Sadly, she died quite young, at the age of only 11. She was a victim of the 1918 influenza epidemic.

The Sun reported Rosa's death the same day that she passed.

Rosy Fox Dead

Elliott, Dec. 12--Rosy Fox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Fox, died about 1 o'clock this morning from pneumonia, following influenza. Other members of the family who were sick are recovering. The funeral will be late Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

I enjoy the fact that they referred to her as "Rosy." It feels so much more personal than Rosa, and I can imagine her friends and acquaintances calling her by that name on an everyday basis. I also find it interesting to learn that other members of the family also came down with the influenza; that is something I might never have otherwise learned.

The following week, the Red Oak Express provided a more comprehensive obituary of Rosa's short life, plus a little more information on the experience of the rest of the family.

WEEKLY LETTER FROM ELLIOTT
Rosa A. Fox Dies of Influenza...

Rosa Adella Fox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Fox, was born in Montgomery county July 1, 1907. She was called to her reward Dec. 12, 1918, at the age of 11 years. The entire family except her sister Hazel was sick with influenza, Miss Rosa developing a case of pneumonia after a short illness. During her short life she endeared herself to all her associates in school as well as in the bible school and junior work. She was a member of Miss Hazel Collins' class in bible school and under Mrs. R. N. Collins and Mrs. McKee in junior work. She will be greatly missed by the members of these departments. She leaves to mourn her departure her mother, father, three sisters, Mabel, Hazel and Viola, one brother Clyde, besides a number of other relatives and friends. Short services were held at the home Friday afternoon conducted by Rev. J. W. McKee. Interment was in Elliott cemetery.

Right off the bat, Rosa's reported name in this article provided me a small surprise. Here, it was recorded as Rosa Adella Fox. On Find A Grave and the index to "Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992" at FamilySearch it is recorded as Rosa Adolla Fox. However, Find A Grave does not cite a source for the middle name, and the photograph of her headstone shows that only a middle initial is inscribed. I have not yet been able to view an original document in the Iowa County Death Record database at FamilySearch, only the index, which could, of course, be subject to transcription errors. Naturally, newspapers are also notorious for misspelling names. Yet, "Adella" is a familiar name, as opposed to "Adolla." At this point, it cannot be determined with certainty which is correct.

Sources:

"Rosy Fox Dead," Sun, 13 Dec 1918, p. 6, col. 2; digital images, Community History Archive (https://redoak.advantage-preservation.com/ : accessed 24 Feb 2023).


"Weekly Letter from Elliott," Red Oak Express, 20 Dec 1918, p. 13, col. 4; digital images, Community History Archive (https://redoak.advantage-preservation.com/ : accessed 24 Feb 2023).


Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8643200/rosa-adolla-fox: accessed 28 March 2023), memorial page for Rosa Adolla Fox (1 Jul 1907–12 Dec 1918), Find a Grave Memorial ID 8643200, citing Hillside Cemetery, Elliott, Montgomery County, Iowa, USA; Maintained by Marty & Harley (contributor 47240226).


"Iowa, County Death Records, 1880-1992," database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 26 Mar 2023), entry for Rosa Adolla Fox's 1918 death; citing Death, Sherman Township, Montgomery, Iowa, United States, page 193 cn98, offices of county clerk from various counties; FHL microfilm 1,481,703.

Sunday's Obituary: Cora Mae (Jones) Fox

Last week we did my 2great-grandfather, Louis Arthur Fox. Let's stay in that family for a bit and read about his wife, my 2great-grandmother Cora Mae (Jones) Fox, today. These articles are also courtesy of that wonderful Red Oak Community History Archive.

Her obituary appeared in at least two of the local papers, the Red Oak Express and the Sun. First we will hear from the Express.

Services Are Held For Mrs. Louis Fox

ELLIOTT--Funeral services for Mrs. Louis Fox, 77, Elliott community resident since 1897, were held Wednesday, Mar. 31, at the Methodist church here with the Rev. A. Breeling officiating and burial in Hillside cemetery.

She died Sunday, Mar 28, at the hospital in Red Oak, where she had been a patient four weeks.

Cora Jones was born Aug. 12, 1876, in Missouri and moved to Coburg with her parents as a youngster. She was married there in 1897 to Louis Fox, who survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Mable Peck of Elliott, Mrs. Hazel Hoyt of Council Bluffs and Mrs. Viola Leighton of Griswold, son, Clyde, near Stennett; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Her obituary in the Sun gave much of the same information, but with perhaps a few more details. (And an erroneous middle initial for her husband, Louis Arthur Fox.)

Mrs. Louis Fox Of Elliott Dies

Elliott, March 31--Funeral services were held Wednesday at 2 p. m. at the Methodist church here for Mrs. Louis F. Fox. Rev. A. Breeling officiated at interment was in Hillside cemetery, Elliott.

Cora Jones was born August 12, 1876 in Missouri. When a small child she came with her parents to Coburg and was married there Dec. 19, 1897, to Louis Fox. They have resided in this community since that time. Mrs. Fox has been a patient invalid for a number of years. She died Sunday afternoon at Murphy Memorial hospital where she had been four weeks She is survived by her husband and three daughters and one son as follows: Mrs. Mable Peck, Elliott; Mrs. Viola Leighton, Griswold, Mrs. Hazel Hoyt, Council Bluffs, Clyde Fox, Red Oak. There are seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

As if two obituaries weren't enough, there are a couple further notes in the Sun, mentioning some of the guests at her funeral.

Mr. and Mrs. Lon Sheppard and Dave Morgan were in Elliott to attend the funeral of Mrs. Louis Fox, 77, which was held at the Methodist church Wednesday.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Jones attended the funeral of Mrs. Louis Fox in Elliott Wednesday. Services were held at the Methodist church.

Kenneth Jones was Cora's nephew, a son of her brother John Martin Jones. I have not yet identified Lon Sheppard or Dave Morgan. They may have been relatives of some sort, or they may have been friends.

Source:
"Services Are Held For Mrs. Louis Fox," Red Oak Express, 1 Apr 1954, p. 2, col. 1-2; digital images, Community History Archive (https://redoak.advantage-preservation.com/ : accessed 24 Feb 2023).

"Mrs. Louis Fox Of Elliott Dies," Sun, 1 Apr 1954, p. 2, col. 6-7; digital images, Community History Archive (https://redoak.advantage-preservation.com/ : accessed 24 Feb 2023).

"Personals," Sun, 5 Apr 1954, p. 2, col. 1-2; digital images, Community History Archive (https://redoak.advantage-preservation.com/ : accessed 24 Feb 2023).

 

Sunday's Obituary: Louis Arthur Fox

Here's a tip: If you don't already have access to Newspapers.com, make sure to at least get on their mailing list. About once a year they provide free access to the site for an entire three-day weekend, but you can only take advantage of the offer through the link in the email.

A little over a month ago, for President's Day Weekend, the offer appeared. It was an inconvenient time for me; my laptop had just died. And by died, I mean died. I could not get it to turn on. I bought a new one, but my genealogy program with all its tasks was still on the old one. There was no way I was going to miss out on free newspapers, though! I just couldn't be as strategic as I would have liked. My searches would have to be based on the bits and pieces I have in the cloud, and pure, fitful memory. Inevitably, searching this way resulted in finding some things I have found before, but I still made a considerable number of new discoveries.

In the past couple of years since I first began taking advantage of these Newspaper.com weekends, I have developed a process. I clip and download as many relevant articles as I can in the time available, and when the weekend is over I go through the tedious work of transcribing and creating citations. That is what I have been doing every evening in the intervening days.

So anyway, that was a long-winded way of saying that I have a whole new batch of obituaries, and they may be pretty random as to who they are or to which branch of family they belong.

Let's begin with my 2great-grandfather, Louis Arthur Fox. This was my Grandpa Jack's maternal grandfather, and the only grandparent whose name Grandpa Jack was able to tell me. The reason he knew his name, he explained, was that one day when he was visiting, a package arrived that needed to be signed for. Louis Fox had lost an arm, and was holding something in his other arm, so he had Grandpa Jack sign for it. He told him his name and how to spell it.

Incidentally, I also discovered a number of newspaper articles from the time that Louis Fox lost his arm, but I'll save those for another post.

Services at Elliott For Louis Fox, 87

ELLIOTT -- Services were held Wednesday, Dec. 3, for Louis Fox, 87 of Elliott, who died at his home here Monday, Dec. 1.

He was born July 3, 1871, at Lebanon, Ohio, and came to Iowa when he was quite young. He was married to Cora Jones at Coburg in December, 1896. He lived in the Elliott community a number of years as a farmer, retiring in 1943.

Services were held at the Elliott Methodist Church with the Rev. Clarence Landis, officiating.

Survivors are four children, Mrs. Hazel Hoyt of Council Bluffs, Mrs. Viola Leighton of Griswold, Mrs. Mabel Peck and Clyde Fox of Elliott; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

 I realize as I paste in the citation that this article did not come directly from Newspapers.com. I discovered it as an indirect effect of the Newspapers.com weekend special. Searching for this family and not finding them on that website, I did a search for newspapers from Red Oak, Iowa, and discovered that there is a free website of newspapers for that area! My finds from there and from Newspapers.com are all jumbled up in my head, and will continue to be all jumbled up in the order I present them.

Source:

"Services at Elliott For Louis Fox, 87," Red Oak Express, 4 Dec 1958, p. 2, col. 5; digital images, Community History Archive (https://redoak.advantage-preservation.com/ : accessed 24 Feb 2023).

Sunday's Obituary: Claude Robinault

Baseball runs in my family, though I thought it was on my dad’s side only. Much to my surprise, I have now learned that one of my Robinaults was also a baseball player. At another time I will have to go into his career, but here I will transcribe how his career was cut short. His name was Claude Robinault, and he was the son of the subject of the last Sunday's Obituary post, Robert Robinault.

I have found a series of three newspaper articles regarding the end of his life, the first telling of his serious illness due to diabetes.

AT THE POINT OF DEATH

As we write Claude Robbinault lies at the very threshold of death and before this reaches our readers his soul will in all probability have passed away. For a year he has been a victim of diabetes although this last acute attack has been of but short duration. He has been in great agony for the past twenty-four hours and death will come as a welcome relief from suffering. Claude has been an industrious helpful young man, a great comfort to his parents and a favorite among his friends. Our hearts are with him and his loved ones as they pass through the Valley of the Shadow.

The second article confirms his demise, and includes a long obituary. Judging by the strange spelling errors in the secondary heading, I whimsically like to think that the typesetter, whoever he or she may have been, was overcome with grief and unable to concentrate on the job at hand.

DIABETES CLAIMS YOUNG VICTIM
STALWART YOUNG ATHTETE [sic] SUCCUMBT [sic] TO INSIDIOUS DISEASE.
ORA CLAUDE ROBINAULT DIES

Denison Home is Stricken and Many Friends Grieve for Prematurely Shortened Career.

On the morning of Thursday, Feb. 18th, the soul of Ora Claude Robinault winged its way from the pain wracked body into the bourne from which not traveller returns. In our last issue we told of the death angel hovering over the stricken home and e’er the Review reached its readers the hopeless agonizing struggle was at an end. Claude, as he was called by all his loved ones was a young man just a little less than twenty-eight years of age. He was born in Goodrich township in this county on February 26th, 1881. His was the life of the country lad, working and helping in the field and with the colors going to school in the winter months and making the best of the opportunities afforded him. In 1890 his parents Robert Gillispie and Mary Lee Robinault moved from the farm to Denison and Claude was then given opportunity to receive better school advantages. He attended the schools of Denison, completing the junior year in the high school but leaving them to take up the burden of life. He was a light hearted cheerful boy, doing his work as a painter well and proving himself to be superior in athletic sports; it was this that lead him finally into the semi-professional base ball ranks and he gained a reputation as one of the best and most dependable pitchers in western Iowa. In the last few years he played with Ida Grove, Lake View, Bassett, Neb., Green River Utah and with Denison. He made the Nebraska trip with the Denison team last year and did excellent work. The nomadic life of the ball player spoils many young men, but it did not spoil Claude, he was temperate in his habits kindly in his relations with others, quiet, trustworthy and altogether like able young man.

At Bassett he won the heart of Miss Gertrude E. Alderman and they were soon to have been married. It was about a year ago that he first learned that he had diabetes. He kept on with his work however and made a brave fight to overcome the disease. All this winter he had not been well but as late as Tuesday, February 16, he was down town bright and cheery as usual. Tuesday night he was taken violently ill and the final struggle lasted but forty-eight hours.

Claude was a good boy, a loving son, a conscientious worker, an honest lover. He had much to live for and many hearts are saddened by his going.

The funeral services were held on Sunday afternoon at the Baptist church, Rev. C. E. La Reau officiating and the large number present well testified the esteem in which he was held. Besides his parents Claude leaves two brothers, Charles and Raymond and his fiancee Miss Alderman, all of whom are heartbroken at his death. Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Alderman and Miss Gertrude Alderman of Bassett, Neb., and Mr. A. J. Robinault of Pritchard, Neb. were among those who came to be present at he [sic] obsequies. Our sincere sympathy goes to all the loved and loving ones.

Finally, his parents published the customary "Card of Thanks" for the sympathy they received.

Card of Thanks.

We wish to thank the friends for their sympathy and helpfulness during the sad hours of our bereavement.

Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Robinault and Family.

Sources:

"At the Point of Death," The Denison Review, 17 Feb 1909, p. 1, col. 4; digital images, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 19 Jun 2022).

"Diabetes Claims Young Victim," The Denison Review, 24 Feb 1909, p. 1, col. 1-2; digital images, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 19 Jun 2022).

"Card of Thanks," The Denison Review, 24 Feb 1909, p. 2, col. 5; digital images, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 19 Jun 2022).

 

Sunday's Obituary: Robert Gillispie Robinault

For this post, I will stay within the Robinault family, as I have for the past couple weeks, but feature the obituary of a more distant relation. Robert Gillispie Robinault would have been a nephew of my 3great-grandfather Barney Robinault: a son of his brother Jeremiah. That makes his relationship to me a first cousin four times removed.

The obituary appeared on the front page of the Denison Review on 20 May 1914:

DEATH OF ROBERT ROBINAULT

Pioneer Resident of Crawford County Dies at His Home in West Denison Last Wednesday.

Robert Gillispie Robinault passed away at his home in Denison on last Wednesday, May 13th, after a long illness. Mr. Robinault was one of the pioneer citizens of Crawford county, coming to Denison almost fifty years ago. For a number of years he was engaged in farming in Goodrich township, moving to Denison in 1890, where he has since resided. Mr. Robinault has been in failing health for the past few years and death came as a relief from his long suffering. He has been afflicted for some time with hardening of the arteries and his death was primarily due to this.

The deceased was born Sept. 16, 1849, near Meadville, Crawford county, Pa. At the age of sixteen he moved with his parents to Crawford county, Iowa, first locating on a farm in Goodrich township. He was united in marriage to Mar Lee, Dec. 15, 1873, and to this union three children were born: Charles and Raymond, living, Claude having departed this life Feb. 18, 1909.

Besides his bereaved widow and two sons, he leaves to mourn his death two brothers, Jackson, of Purdum, Neb., and Henry, of Taft, Cali.

Funeral services were held at the Baptist church Saturday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. Williams officiating, after which the body was laid to rest in Oakland cemetery.

Source:

"Death of Robert Robinault," The Denison Review, 20 May 1914, p. 1, col. 5; digital images, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 16 Nov 2014).

Sunday’s Obituary: Mrs. Barney Robinault

As last week’s obituary explained, my 3-great-grandfather Barney Robinault was “twice married.” This obituary is that of his second wife. Although her given name is never revealed in the article, their 1892 marriage record calls her “Veronego Diedrich.” I suspect that Veronego is a phonetic spelling of Veronica.

Barney and Veronego were married in Denison, Crawford, Iowa, in 1892. Both were previously married, but I have not yet looked into Veronego’s past, and cannot tell you the name of her prior husband. 

Her obituary appeared in the Denison Review on 29 July 1903:

Mrs. Barney Robinault died at her home in south Denison on Monday at six o’clock in the afternoon. The cause of her death was dropsy. She was seventy-six years of age and was born in Germany. The funeral was held yesterday. Her husband is very aged and almost blind and will miss the care of his wife, who was constantly looking after her wants.

I presume there is a typographical error on that last line, and that it was intended to read “looking after his wants.”

Sources:

The Denison Review, 29 July 1903, p. 5, col. 4; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 20 Feb 2022).

FamilySearch, "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934," database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 11 Oct 2015), entry for Barney Robbennolt and Veronego Diedrich's 1892 marriage; citing Denison, Crawford, Iowa, United States, county courthouses, Iowa. Reference ID BK1 PG130 CN1679; GS Film Number 1035130; Digital Folder Number 004311126.

Sunday’s Obituary: Barney Robinault

Since I have neglected writing anything on this blog for over a year (until Friday’s post two days ago), I think I will attempt to get back into the habit by posting obituaries for the next several Sundays. This week it is for someone in my direct line, my 3-great-grandfather Barney Robinault. He was the father of my 2-great-grandmother Martha Robinault, whom you might remember as the wife of John Craig, who remained the victim of an unsolved murder in Omaha, Nebraska.

I am using the Robinault spelling of the name here, as that is the spelling used in this obituary. The name has a remarkable number of variant spellings including (but not confined to) Robbennolt, Robbenult, Robbinault, Robbinult, Robenolt, Robenult, and Rubenall. This makes doing newspaper searches for this family… entertaining. Fortunately, it is not a particularly common surname, so most results are bound to be relevant in some way. 

Barney’s obituary appeared in the Denison Review on 16 Aug 1906:

ANOTHER PIONEER GONE.

Barney Robinault Passes to the Great Beyond on Wednesday.

Barney Robinault, one of the pioneer residents and settlers of Crawford county passed to his eternal rest on Wednesday after an illness that has lasted for several years, at the home of Mrs. Lars Erickson who has taken care of him for the past three years.

He was a man of true Christian character and a friend well met, always jolly and jovial, and always endeavoring to do what was right and just with his neighbors, and by these manly traits had won to him a host of warm friends who will learn of his death with deep regret.

Mr. Robinault was born in Pennsylvania on July 31, 1820, and was 86 years old at the time of his death. He came to Crawford county about 35 years ago and has made his home here continually. He had been twice married and was the father of 16 children six of whom are still living, the remainder of the children together with his two wives having preceeded [sic] him to the grave. Of the six living children but one was present at the funeral and that was Mrs. Claus Hansen who is at present residing at Dow City.

The funeral was held this afternoon at 1:30 from the German Methodist church Rev. Gauger officiating and the remains laid to rest in the Denison cemetery. The family have the sympathy of the community in this sad hour of bereavement.

The obituary mentions that he had married twice. I am descended from his first wife, Julia Ann Kimmey, for whom, unfortunately, I have been unable to find an obituary. (His second wife will be featured next week.) It also says that he was the father of sixteen children. Only nine appear in my family tree, so it seems I still have considerable research to do on this family.

Source:

"Another Pioneer Gone," The Denison Review, 16 Aug 1906, p. 6, col. 3; digital images, Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov : accessed 3 Jan 2017), The Denison review. (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current.

Sunday’s Obituary: Mary A. Howard

Since I am currently focusing on the family of my 3great-grandmother Mary A. Howard, it seems appropriate that’s today’s obituary should be hers. It is more of what I would call a death notice or a funeral notice than an obituary, not providing even her first name, but it does provide a date of death. It is, indeed, the only source I have yet obtained that does so.

The notice appeared on page 8 of the Chelmsford Chronicle on 19 Apr 1901.

MALDON.

The funeral of Mrs. Filby, mother of Mr. Wm. Filby, of the Star Inn, took place at the Cemetery on Thursday afternoon. She died on Saturday last at the ripe old age of 90.

That makes her death on 13 Apr 1901 and her burial on 18 Apr 1901. Since she died in Maldon and it says only that her funeral was at “the Cemetery,” I presume that she must have been buried at Maldon Cemetery, and on that presumption I have added her record to Findagrave.

The western part of Maldon Cemetery

Source:

“Maldon,” The Chelmsford Chronicle, 19 Apr 1901, p. 8, col. 2; digital images, The British Newspaper Archive (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk : accessed 21 May 2017), Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Sunday’s Obituary: Sarah (Rix) Filby

Previously we looked at the obituary of William Filby, my great-great-grandmother’s brother. Today we will take a look at the much briefer obituary of his wife, Sarah.

FILBY.—On Sept. 29, at 60 Wantz Road, Maldon, Sarah, the beloved wife of William Filby, and eldest daughter of the late Robert Rix, of Heybridge Basin, in her 79th year.

Heybridge Basin, where “the late Robert Rix” lived, and William and Sarah Filby themselves lived for a while. In the background of this shot can be seen the Old Ship Inn, previously known as the Chelmer Brig, which they ran for a period of years.
John Winfield [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

 

Citation:

“Deaths,” The Essex Newsman, 12 Oct 1918, p. 4, col. 5; digital images, British Newspaper Archives (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : accessed 26 Dec 2012), Brightsolid in partnership with the British Library.

Sunday’s Obituary: William Filby

I’m on a roll. Since I already posted one random obituary today, why not another? This one is perhaps a bit less random; it is that of William Filby himself, my great-great-grandmother Elizabeth Filby’s brother. Okay, it’s not random at all. I had to dig through my digital folders to figure out where the articles were. It’s one of my favorite family obituaries, not only for the genealogically helpful material included, but also for the little personal touches.

The obituary was actually printed twice, first in the Chelmsford Chronicle, then in the Essex Newsman, both identical except that the second omitted everything after “The funeral was at St. Mary's Church on Tuesday.” So I will transcribe only the first obituary.

The interior of St. Mary’s Church, where the funeral took place. I had hoped to find a shareable image of the Star Inn, where William lived and worked for many years, but had no luck. But if you would like to see the inn, check out this link.
By Maria (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

OLDEST RESIDENT.—With the passing of Mr. William Filby at his residence in Wantz Road, on Oct. 9, in his 95th year, Maldon has lost the oldest male inhabitant. He was well liked for his cheery personality. A week before his death he was out in the town. From 1885 to 1909 he was licencee of the Star. He leaves a son and three daughters, and there are 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral was at St. Mary's Church on Tuesday, the Rector, the Rev. A. D. Short, officiating. The mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Filby, son and daughter-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Parry, Mrs. F. Halliday, sons-in-law and daughters; Mrs. Horace Keeble, granddaughter; Mrs. M. Smith, housekeeper. Also present were Mr. H. Freeman, Mr. J. Rogers, Mr. J. Green (Hearts of Oak Benefit Society), Mrs. C. Brady, Mrs. Moss, Mr. E. D. Roberts, etc.

The Essex Newsman also printed a brief notice of his death:

FILBY, William, in his 95th year, after a short illness, on 9th October, at his residence, Wantz Road, Maldon.

Sources:

“Deaths: Filby, William,” The Essex Newsman, 17 Oct 1942, p. 4, col. 5; digital images, British Newspaper Archives (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : accessed 26 Dec 2012), Brightsolid in partnership with the British Library. 

“Maldon, Braintree & Witham: Oldest Resident,” The Chelmsford Chronicle, 16 Oct 1942, p. 11, col. 2; digital images, British Newspaper Archives (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : accessed 26 Dec 2012), Brightsolid in partnership with the British Library.

“Maldon & Heybridge: Oldest Resident,” The Essex Newsman, 17 Oct 1942, p. 4, col. 4; digital images, British Newspaper Archives (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : accessed 26 Dec 2012), Brightsolid in partnership with the British Library.

Sunday’s Obituary: Charles Francis Turner

Note: Further research has revealed that this Charles Francis Turner is not the same as the one who was a child of Richard Stebbens Turner and Lily Filby after all, and therefore is not related to me. However, this post may still be of interest to people who are actually related to him.

 

Although my very first blog post told a part of the story of this side of my family, it has been a while since I have again visited it. (My Luxembourg source project takes up most of my blog time lately.) And, although I would love to again present a well-researched narrative, that takes quite a while to prepare, and I am presently impatient. So I am taking advantage of the Sunday’s Obituary prompt at Geneabloggers to transcribe a more or less random obituary from the English branch of my family. I have also added a Descendancy Report for my 3great-grandfather John Filby, to clarify the relationship of the subject of the obituary to my family.

The subject of the obituary is Charles Francis Turner, a somewhat distant relation. In fact, he is my second cousin twice removed, being the grandson of my great-great-grandmother’s brother.

St. Mary the Virgin, the parish church at which the funeral took place.
Lynda Poulter [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

THEYDON BOIS

THE LATE MR. C. F. TURNER. -- The funeral took place at the Parish Church on Monday of Mr. Charles Francis Turner, who died at the residence of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. C. Rose, at Coppice Row, at the age of 65. He was very well known in the district, to which he came in 1902, starting a hairdressing business at Epping For four years he was licensee of the Wheatsheaf, Theydon Bois, and later the Carpenters’ Arms, Thornwood. for nine years. During the war he worked at a munition factory. He leaves a widow, one son, and one daughter. The funeral was conducted by the Rev. M. W. Smith, vicar of Chigwell. The immediate mourners were: Mrs. Turner, widow; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Turner, son and daughter-in-law; Mr. and Mrs. C. Rose, son-in-law and daughter; Miss Betty Rose, granddaughter; Mrs. W. Gloyn, sister; Mr. Ralph Turner, brother; Mrs. J. Luck, sister-in-law; Mr. S. Thake, brother-in-law; and Mr. and Mrs. R. West.

  Other Theydon Bois News on Page Five.

The parents of Charles Francis Turner, though not mentioned in his obituary, were Richard Stebbens Turner and Lily Filby. Lily Filby was, in turn, a daughter of William Filby, my great-great-grandmother Elizabeth Filby’s brother. [Note: these parental relations are in error, as noted above.]

Source:

“Theydon Bois,” The Chelmsford Chronicle, 19 July 1935, p. 12, col. 2; digital images, British Newspaper Archive (http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ : accessed 2 Jan 2014).

Sunday’s Obituary: Harry STROESSER

Page 12 of the 29 Feb 1964 issue of Omaha’s Evening World-Herald:

Harry Stroesser, 85, Courthouse Carpenter

    Harry Stroesser, 85, of 417 North Fortieth Street, a carpenter who was a union member and officer for more than 50 years, died Friday at home.

    Mr. Stroesser was born in Luxembourg and came to Omaha about 1910. He was the Douglas County Courthouse carpenter from 1930 to 1953.

    Survivors: wife Mary; daughters Therese, Santa Monica, Cal.; Mrs. Mary Johnson, San Diego; Mrs. Clara Hill, Omaha; Mrs. Catherine Korman, Philadelphia; Mrs. Anna Ehmen, Santa Maria, Cal.; Mrs. Rose Hoyt, Salem, Ore.; Mrs. Joan Welsh, Van Nuys, Cal.; and sons Edward, Dan and Joseph, all of Omaha.

    Services are pending at the Leo A. Hoffman Mortuary.

Harry STROESSER, born Johann STROESSER in Heispelt, Luxembourg on 18 Oct 1878, was my great-grandfather. I am not certain at what point he stopped using the name Johann; by the time he reached the U.S. he was known as Harry, or Henry for more formal occasions.

His obituary had been printed earlier in the day, on page 22 of the regular edition of the Omaha World-Herald, with an error in his age and an omission of his funeral services. Otherwise the two obituaries are much the same.

For the following three days, he appeared in the death and funeral announcement section of the various editions of the World-Herald.

A holy card in memory of Harry STROESSER,  probably given out on occasion of his funeral, was found among the effects of his daughter Rose, my grandmother.

Front of holy card

Back of holy card

Sunday’s Obituary: Peter STROESSER

Page 23 of the 3 Nov 1927 issue of the Evening World-Herald:

STROSSER--Peter, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Strosser, 417 N. 40th St.
   Services at 11:30 a. m. Thursday, Interment Holy Sepulcher.

Peter was the third (and, fortunately, the last) of Harry and Mary STROESSER’s sons to die in infancy. His brother Joseph George’s death notice appeared in last week’s “Sunday’s Obituary” post. I have not as yet found a notice for the death of the first of these unlucky infants, Francis. 

Two years after this loss, Harry and Mary were blessed with the birth of a son who managed to survive infancy. This child was apparently named in remembrance of his less fortunate brothers: Joseph Peter Francis. 

There were also two older boys who survived: Edward (“Ed”) and Daniel (“Dan”), as well as seven girls: Mary, Clara (or Clare), Catherine (“Kay”), Anna (or Anne), Rose, Therese (“Teri”), and Joan.

Sunday’s Obituary: Joseph George STROESSER (1925-1925)

Page 19 of the 12 May 1925 issue of the Omaha World Herald:

STROESSER--Joseph George, 417 N. 40th St., May 10; infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stroesser.
   Services at Hoffman-Crosby funeral home, Tuesday, 2 p. m. Interment, Holy Sepulcher.

This Joseph George STROESSER was my grandmother, Rose Edith STROESSER's younger brother, in fact, the very next child born. He was one of three boys in the family who died in infancy. The other two were Francis, who died in 1918, and Peter, who was born in 1927 and died soon thereafter.

Harry and Mary STROESSER headed a large family, even with these three sad occurrences. Ten of their children survived to adulthood.