Griffith, McGimpsey and Moore photos

Some more old family photos, all received by my aunt Cherie Geyer from Vernon Capps.

William & Marget McGimpsey, 1860

William Martin McGimpsey was born about 1800 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland and passed away shortly before 22 November 1870 (the date of the printing of his funeral card). He married in 1828, Marget Martin, who was born about 1799 in Newtownards as well. She passed away on 22 July 1881 in Loughries, Newtownards, County Down, Ireland. From their funeral cards:

The remains of my beloved Husband, William McGimpsey, will be removed from his late residence, Loughriescouse, for interment in the Family Burying Ground, Movilla, on Thursday, 24th inst. at Nine o'clock, a.m.

Margaret McGimpsey. November 22, 1870.

Source: Funeral Card for William McGimpsey, 22 Nov 1870. Original in possession of Vernon Capps, photocopy in possession of author.

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Died At Loughries, on Friday, 22nd July, 1881, Margaret McGimpsey, (Relict of the late William McGimpsey,) Aged 82 Years.

The Remains of my Mother-in-law will be removed for interment in the Family Burying-Ground, Movilla, on Saturday, 23rd inst., at Four o'clock p.m.

Robert Patton. Loughries, 22nd July, 1881.

Source: Funeral Card for Margaret McGimpsey, Loughries, 22 Jul 1881. Original in possession of Vernon Capps, photocopy in possession of author.

Mary (McGimpsey) McRoberts and Eliza McGimpsey

Mary McGimpsey was born on 12 November 1870 in Thornburg, Keokuk, Iowa and died there on 29 August 1954. On 17 December 1890, she married John McRoberts (1862-1935). Eliza "Lisse" McGimpsey was born on 24 November 1868 in Coal Valley, Rock Island, IL and passed away on 17 May 1956 in Thornburg. They were daughters of Henry James McGimpsey (photo in previous post) and Eliza McLean. The date of the photo was labeled as "May 1848", but since that is before either of these women were born, I am guessing that (based on their appearances) it is more likely to have been May 1948.

William James and Jane M. McGimpsey, no date

William James McGimpsey was born on 13 January 1863 in Rock Island, Rock Island, IL. He died on 20 October 1920 in Prairie, Keokuk, IA. On 22 December 1892, he married Jane M. Moore, the daughter of James and Rachel Moore. She was born 12 December 1866 in Thornburg, Keokuk, IA, and died there on 6 April 1938. A photo of them and there children can be found here.

Rachel and Mary Moore, Ireland, 1911

Rachel Moore was born in August 1838 in Newtownards, County Down, Ireland. She died on 14 August 1921 in Thornburg, Keokuk, IA. On 5 March 1866, she married James Moore (1829-1911). A photo of Rachel and her children is here. I have no information on her sister Mary. They are daughters of James and Jane (Bowden) Moore. Their brothers John and James Moore also settled in Keokuk County, Iowa. A photo of John and his family is here.

Rachel Moore's home near Springdale, where she passed away in 1921

John W. and Priscilla Griffith, 1866

John White Griffith was born 24 February 1835 in Brown, Washington, Indiana and died on 26 December 1914 in Wellman, Washington, Iowa. On 27 October 1857, he married Priscilla Longwell, the daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Winslow) Longwell. She was born on 3 February 1834 in Grand Prairie, Marion, Ohio and died on 7 June 1899 in Wellman. More photos of the Griffiths and family can be found in this previous post.

Births from a Ginkens Family Bible

From a scan of the Births page from a cousin who has the Ginkens family bible. The scan is fairly easy to read and contains the following information:

Jessie Ginkens, August 30th 1828
Susann M. Ginkens, Jan. 18th 1836
Sarah E Ginkens, June 3thd 1853
Andrew H. Ginkens, Sept. 20th 1855
Henery A. D. Ginkens, Nove 1st 1857
Percivil J. Ginkens, April 4th 1860
Martha J.A. Ginkens, Jan. 23thd 1863
Mary E. Ginkens, Feb 18th 1865
James H. Ginkens, May 30th 1867
David I. Ginkens, October 13th 1869
Aletha B Ginkens, June 27th 1872
Lucy O. Ginkens, Aug. 30th 1874
Jessie F. Ginkens, April 17th 1876
Fredric Lane Ginkens, Dec. 19th 1879*
Julia Edna Ginkens, April 9th 1881

* Someone later made the last 9 of Frederick Lane Ginkens birth year into an 8 using a black pen [changed from 1879 to 1878 - the original writing is in pencil]. Other evidence is conflicting as well: in the 1900 US Federal Census, where he is a servant in the household of Alexander Clark of Brighton, Washington, Iowa, his birth month and year is given as "Dec 1878." On his World War I Selective Service Draft Registration Card, his birth date is given as "Dec 19, 1879," he still lives in Brighton and works on an oil wagon for Robert Griffith. I would give a stronger weight to the 1879 date, as it is the original from the bible and was the date he gave on his draft card. He may not even have been present when the census taker visited the household in 1900.

The information from the Marriages page of the family bible can be found here.

Family tradition is that Jesse Gum Ginkens [my 3rd gr-grandfather, born 1828 in Virginia] changed the spelling of the family name from Jenkins to avoid confusion with the mail. I have not been able to prove it as of yet, but I believe he is the oldest son (second child) of Andrew Jenkins (abt 1800-bet 1870-80) and Elenor "Nellie" Gum (1804-1875), who married 27 Jan 1825 in Pendleton County, VA. Many of Jesse's children's names are the same as those of Andrew and Nellie: Andrew, Aletha, Henry A., and Sarah Ellen; and his family settled in the same area as a daughter of Andrew and Nellie, Martha J. (Jenkins) Rumer (the Ginkens in Penn and the Rumers in Fairfield, neighboring townships in Jefferson County, IA). His family later moved to Clay township, Washington, IA (just across the county line from Penn). He and Susan, his wife, are buried in Howard Grove Cemetery in Penn, Jefferson, IA. Additionally, in the 1840 US Federal Census, there is a male in the household of Andrew and Nellie of the same age that Jesse would be. Do you know of any "hard" evidence?

Frank & Lucinda Geyer Family Photos

26 year old Frank Geyer (1862-1938) in 1880

Photo from a cousin

19 year old Lucinda Ellen Griffith (1869-1951) in 1888

Photo from a cousin

Frank and Lucinda Geyer with their boys

Back row (left to right): George, Leonard, Grant, John

Front row: Wilbur, Lucinda (mother), Frank (father) and Harold

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

Frank and Lucinda Geyer on their farm (before 1935)

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

Geyer family reunion on October 8, 1943

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

(1922 family reunion photo can be found at this previous post)

Geyer family reunion, 1952

Written on back: Taken at Thornburg, Ia - May 30-1952

Back row: Calvin G., John G., Harriette, Larry G.

Third row: (Jo Ann Geyer & Beth Geyer), Aunt Lizzie McGimpsey 83 yr old, Karoleen Shifflett, (me G.G.), Aunt Mary McRoberts 85 yr old, Caroleen Shifflett

Second row: (Elloise), (Catherine), Maggie, Bernice, Lois, Ruth Frazier

Front row: Laverne G. (Jr Geyer Calvins boy), Floyd G., Frances G., Harry Jr Riddle

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

Harold Geyer (1908-1940) graduation photo

Photo from a cousin

George Geyer (1891-1971) in 1962

Photo from Vernon Capps

John (1899-1983) & Maggie (1894-1983) Geyer, October 8, 1943

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

Kenneth, Keith and Johnny Geyer, children of John & Maggie, October 8, 1943

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

John and Maggie Geyer 50th wedding anniversary

I believe photo is from Vernon Capps

Uncle Wilbur with Jimmy - Wilbur Geyer (1906-1993)

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

Anyone know who Jimmy is?

Update from Wilbur's daughter Donna: "In reviewing the pictures you have on your blog, I can identify who the baby is (on the horse) with your great Uncle Wilbur - it is Jimmy Sittler, son of Carol and Alice Sittler. Alice is the daughter of Pearl and Jim Wagamon. Pearl was the only sister of your great Aunt Edna Geyer. Therefore, Jimmy is a relative on the Webster side of the family." Thanks, Donna!

Wilbur & Edna Geyer with their sons, Richard, Wayne and Raymond on December 1, 1944

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

Wilbur & Edna Geyer in 1978

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

My great grandparents Grant (1897-1951) & Grace (1902-1973) Geyer on April 30, 1944

Photo from my grandfather's collection (now in my aunt's possession)

Lucinda Griffith Geyer Obituary

Here is the obituary of my 2nd great grandmother, Lucinda Ellen (Griffith) Geyer. She was the daughter of John White Griffith and Priscilla Longwell. She married Franciscus "Frank" Geyer on 22 December 1888. They had 6 sons, Francis Grant Geyer (my great grandfather), Leonard Lawrence Geyer, George Everett Geyer, John Walter Geyer, Wilbur G. Geyer, and Harold Wayne Geyer. The obituaries of Frank and Francis Grant can be found in this previous post.

Funeral Services Held At Wellman Today for Mrs. Lucinda Geyer, 81

Wellman - Funeral services for Mrs. Lucinda Geyer, 81, lifelong resident of the Wellman vicinity, were held at 2 p.m. today at the Methodist church.

The Rev. D.C. Bissinger officiated with burial at Wellman cemetery. Powell funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Geyer was born October 16, 1869, near Wellman and died Tuesday at Washington, Iowa following a long illness.

She was married to Frank Geyer in 1888. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by three sons, George Geyer, Boone, John Geyer, Thornburg, and Wilbur Geyer, Oxford, a brother Grant Griffith, Wellman, and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Wagamon, Wellman.

Source: "Funeral Services Held At Wellman Today for Mrs. Lucinda Geyer, 81," Iowa City Press Citizen 4 Oct 1951, page 15.

McGimpsey Obituaries/Clippings

The following are transcribed newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the clippings. I don't know what newspapers they were taken from.

Lorene McGimpsey

Lorene E. McGimpsey, 78, of Thornburg, died Sunday, April 22, 1990, at the Mahaska County Hospital in Oskaloosa.

She was born September 5, 1911, near Thornburg, the daughter of Roy and Grace Stafford Edmundson.

She was united in marriage to Art McGimpsey in January of 1930. He died in October of 1985.

She graduated from Thornburg High School in 1929. She was Postmaster for 21 years at the Thornburg Post Office. She was a member of the Thornburg United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.

She is survived by one daughter, Mrs. D. Jim (Greta Lou) Moore of Thornburg; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one brother, Leroy Edmundson of Keswick.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one sister, Doris Davis.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 25 at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Dean McPherson officiating.

Music was by Janet Arendt.

Bearers of the casket were Van Moore, Ace Moore, Ron Denison, Ray Gasperi, Gerald Denison and Lloyd Little.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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40 Years Ago
April 7, 1938

Mrs. Jane McGimpsey died at Thornburg yesterday afternoon. She had been visiting in the Grace McCracken home and suffered a stroke early Friday morning.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "1985"]

Charles Arthur McGimpsey

Charles Arthur “Art” McGimpsey, 74, of Thornburg died Saturday, Oct. 12, at the University Hospitals in Iowa City.

He was born March 23, 1911, in Thornburg, the son of Henry A. and Jennie Reasner McGimpsey.

He married Lorene E. Edmundson January 5, 1930, in What Cheer.

He was a lifelong Thornburg resident. He farmed for several years and later was the custodian of the Thornburg High School. Later, he was the custodian for the Tri-County Community Schools. He retired in 1975.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Thornburg.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Mrs. D. Jim (Greta Lou) Moore of Thornburg; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Mrs. Harold (Isabelle) Godwin, of Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant sister.

Funeral services were held Monday, Oct. 14, at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with Rev. Ron L. Clayton officiating.

Music was by Mrs. Jean Wilson.

Bearers of the casket were Ace Moore, Van Moore, Ron Denison, Ray Gasperi, Steve Thomann and Duane McBeth.

Burial was in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "1968"]

Former Thornburg Resident Slain in Langley, Oklahoma

Martin H. (Bill) McGimpsey, 58, of Vinita, Oklahoma, an aide at the Eastern State Hospital in Langley, Oklahoma; was shot and killed August 2. His alleged assailant was taken into custody on a charge of murder.

Sheriff R. W. Green placed Dale Eugene Branstetter, 38, a former patient of the hospital, in jail a few hours after the shooting following his arrest at his home northeast of Pryor, Oklahoma.

The sheriff alerted the Mayes County sheriff’s office immediately after the slaying and Branstetter was picked up at his home eight miles from Pryor. He did not resist arrest, officers said.

Sheriff Green said that Branstetter had an almost new .22 Magnum double-barrel pistol in his possession at the time the arrest was made.

McGimpsey had been employed at the state hospital 3 years. He formerly owned and operated McGimpsey Cafe and Bait Shop in Langley.

Martin McGimpsey was born February 13, 1910 in Thornburg. His survivors include his wife Oma, three daughters, Mrs Carol Ann Harris, Wichita, Kansas, Mrs Lois Brown and Mrs Willa Rose Merriott, both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; two sons, Martin D. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and William at home; six sisters, Mrs Catherine Shifflet, Deep River, Mrs Ruth Fraiser, Des Moines, Mrs Grace Geyer, Washington, Iowa, Mrs Rachel Bone and Mrs Eva Moore both of Oskaloosa and Mrs Maggie Geyer, What Cheer; and two grandchildren. One sister Mrs Bernice Baker preceded him in death.

Mr McGimpsey was a member of the First Christian church of Langley Oklahoma. Masonic funeral services were conducted there.

Mrs Catherine Shifflet of Deep River and Mrs Ruth Fraiser of Des Moines flew to Vinita, Oklahoma to attend the funeral service of their brother, Martin McGimpsey. Mrs Grace Geyer and her family of Washington drove down.

Oldaker Obituaries

The following obituaries are from newspaper clippings that were collected by Vernon Capps, the husband of my 1st cousin twice removed Gertrude Elloise Geyer. I have photocopies of the obituaries. The Oldakers are related to me by marriage. Burl Oldaker was married to Hazel (McGimpsey) Bone and his brother Charles Henry Oldaker was married to Hazel's sister Mary Jane McGimpsey. Hazel and Mary Jane's sister Grace (McGimpsey) Geyer was my great grandmother.

-- Vada Oldaker --

Vada Oldaker, 83, of Sigourney, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 1993, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

She was born June 12, 1909 near Deep River to Henry and Lela Butcher Wadsworth.

She attended School in Deep River.

She married William LeRoy Oldaker June 5, 1926 in Thornburg.

She lived in Deep River, and moved to Sigourney in 1966. She was a member of the Sigourney Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by one son, Ronald of Marion; two daughters, Mildred Dobbins of Des Moines and Wilma Boatman of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; a brother, Marvin Wadsworth of Des Moines; and a sister, Zelma Treanor of Des Moines.

She was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy February 14, 1993; two sons, Donald and LeRoy; four brothers, Everett, Kenneth, Raymond and Melvin; and a sister, Ada Fish.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 3 at 11 a.m. at the Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney, with Rev. Kate Morgan officiating.

Burial was at the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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Donna Oldaker

Donna M. “Toddy” Oldaker, 71, of 130 S. Adella died at 3:24 p.m., Aug. 28, 1988, at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

She was born April 9, 1917, in Ottumwa to Bert R. and Marguerite May Bray Mace. She married Burl Oldaker July 3, 1968.

She is survived by her husband; four daughters, Shirley Chory of Baltimore, Md., Dixie McConnell and Vicki McConnell of Cedar Rapids, and Bonnie McNeal of Ottumwa; two sons, Jerry Phillips of Jacksonville, Fla., and Steve Phillips of Ottumwa; a stepson, Vernon Oldaker of Wickenburg, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; three step grandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; and a sister, Betty McDavitt of Ottumwa.

The service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Reece Funeral Home, the Rev. George King of Evangelistic Foursquare Church officiating. Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery.
The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Pallbearers will be Dwight, Ervin and Kevin McConnell, Bill and Cliff McNeal, and Guy Ruzicka.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "BORN 1865 = 6-24-1937"]

William Oldaker, 71, died at his home early yesterday morning as the result of a stroke.

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Burl Oldaker

Burl Oldaker, 94, of 130 S. Adella died at 4:55 p.m. Oct. 31, 1988, at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

He was born July 29, 1894, near North English to William George and Annie B. McArtor Oldaker. He had been a resident of Keswick, Wellman and Batavia before moving to Ottumwa in 1968. He was a member of Kilwinning Masonic Lodge 198 in Batavia and had been the mayor of Batavia. He had owned and operated a coal mine in Selma and had been a postal carrier and was a retired railroad employee. He also had been a security guard for Philco Ford in Fairfield. He married Winnie Carmichael in 1914; she died in 1919. He married Hazel Bone; she died in 1951. He then married Donna Phillips July 3, 1968; she died Aug. 28, 1988.

He is survived by a son Vernon H. of Wickenburg, Ariz.; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four stepdaughters, Shirley Chory of Baltimore, Md., Dixie McConnell and Vicki McConnell of Cedar Rapids, Bonnie McNeal of Ottumwa; two stepsons, Jerry Phillips of Jacksonville, Fla. and Steve Phillips of Ottumwa; 14 step-grandchildren, eight stepgreat-grandchildren; three sisters, Alma Axmear and LaVanda Bonnator of Keswick, and Edna Hartman of Ottumwa; and a brother, William LeRoy of Sigourney. He was preceded in death by a son, Starlin, who died in 1941.

The body has been cremated. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Shaul Cemetery, the Rev. George King of the Evangelistic Foursquare Church officiating.

A memorial has been established.

Reece Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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Charles Oldaker

Charles William Oldaker, 82, passed away April 25. He had been living with his son in Callahan, Fla. He was born near Thornburg to Charles Henry and Mary McGimpsey Oldaker.

His formative years were spent in Keswick, Thornburg and Delta. After graduating from Delta High School in 1940 he enlisted in the Army and served in the Army Air Corps. He was most proud of graduating from the Air Corps Pilot School in June 1945 and for serving in the U.S. Air Force. He achieved the rank of Captain with a total of 22 1/2 years service. Later he worked for the Federal Aviation Agency as an air traffic controller before retiring with 20 1/2 years of service.

He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Rose whom he married in August 1951 in Arlington, Va. who passed away in October 1978.

Survivors include two sons Charles O. of Ulysses, Kan. And William S. and wife Kathy, three sisters Florence Pakis of Burgess, Va., Kathleen Rhody of Phoenix, Ariz., and Winnifred Carrigan of Burgess, Va.; two grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was a member of the Christian First Assembly of God Church in Callahan, Fla. He was cremated and his ashes were joined with those of his wife.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "JUNE 1980"; appeared in the What Cheer Patriot Chronicle]

Charles Henry Oldaker

Charles Henry Oldaker, 82, of Park View Manor, Wellman, died Wednesday, May 24. He was formerly of Oskaloosa.

He was born March 23, 1898 at Wellman, the son of William George and Annie Bell McArtor Oldaker.

He attended Keswick High School. He was a member of Eagles Lodge in Oskaloosa and was employed by Pella Rolscreen until he retired. The last 14 years he had resided at Park View Manor at Wellman.

He married Mary Jane McGimpsey October 20, 1918 at the Methodist Parsonage in Keswick. She preceded him in death June 23, 1963.

Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Nicholas (Florence I.) Pakis of Silver Springs, Md., Mrs. Francis (Kathleen) Rhody of Phoenix, Ariz., Mrs. Neil (Winnifred) Carrigan of Bowie, Md.; a son, Charles W. Oldaker of Pierre, S.D.; 11 grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Alma Axmear and Mr. LaVanda Bonnater, both of Keswick and Mrs. Edna Hartman of Ottumwa; and three brothers, Burl of Ottumwa, Roy of Sigourney and Lloyd of Oskaloosa.

Preceding him in death besides his parents and wife were two brothers, Warren and Loren and two sisters, Lottie Oldaker and Edith Just.

Funeral services were held Saturday, June 7 at 10 a.m., at Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney with Rev. Warren James of the What Cheer Baptist Church officiating.
Music was by Mrs. Harry Landers, organist.

Bearers of the casket were Donald Oldaker, Ronald Oldaker, Rayford Oldaker, Raymond Axmear, Dale Axmear and Jim Moore.

Burial was at Sixteen Cemetery.

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[Handwritten at top of clipping: "OLDAKER 1993"]

Gerald Bonnater

Gerald Duane Bonnater, 59, died Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines.

He was born September 10, 1934 on a farm near Webster, the son of Roy Charles and LaVonda M. Oldaker Bonnater.

The family moved to a farm near Keswick. In 1985 they moved into Keswick where they lived until May of 1991 when Jerry and his mother moved to Ankeny. They were residents of Sunnyview Care Center in Ankeny.

Jerry suffered from Downs Syndrome.

Survivors include two sisters, Mrs. Albert (Gladys) Taghon of Keswick and Mrs. Robert (Phyllis) Goldman of Ankeny; eight nieces and nephews and 12 great-nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 9 at Powell Funeral Home in North English with Pastor Don Ridenour officiating.

Music was by organist, Marlene Clubb and soloist Lois Axmear.

Bearers of the casket were Michael Goldman, William Schumacher, Allan Taghon, Dan Taghon, LaVerne Fry and William Augustine.

Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.

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Roy Oldaker

Roy Oldaker, 91, of Sigourney died Sunday, Feb. 14, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

He was born March 2, 1901, near North English to William George and Annabelle McCarter Oldaker.

He married Vada Wodsworth June 5, 1926, in Thornburg.

He attended School at Keswick. He worked as a farmer, at What Cheer Pottery Co., for Deep River Schools, Amana Refrigeration and at Memorial Hall in Sigourney until retiring in 1981. He came to Sigourney in 1966 and was a member of the Sigourney Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Ronald of Marion; two daughters, Mildred Dobbins of Des Moines and Wilma Botman of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Alma Axmear of Keswick and Edna Heartman of Ottumwa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Donald and William; five brothers, Warren, Loren, Burl, Charley and Lloyd; and three sisters, Edith Just, Lottie Oldaker and Lavinella Bonnater.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17 at Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney with Rev. Kate Morgan officiating.

Burial was in Sixteen Cemetery near What Cheer.

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And to finish it out, two more from the Newspaper Collection at Ancestry.com:

Mrs. Anna Oldaker Dies at What Cheer

Wellman--Mrs. Anna Oldaker, 80, died at her home in What Cheer Friday.

She was the daughter of Charles and Marie McArtor and was born in Iowa City. She was married to William G. Oldaker October 7, 1890. He preceded her in death in 1937.

Eleven children were born to them, nine of whom are living, Loren of Olds, Burl of Batavia, Alma A. Mead of Keswick, Charles of Oskaloosa, Lavanda Bonnater of Keswick, Roy of Deep River, Edna Castle of Ottumwa, Edith of What Cheer and Lloyd of Oskaloosa, also two sisters, Mrs. Mary Hall and Mrs. Minnie Lamercox of Wellman, and one brother Burl of North English.

Source: "Mrs. Anna Oldaker Dies at What Cheer," Iowa City Press Citizen 29 Nov 1948, page 7; available from Ancestry.com, full edition, subscription database, <http://www.ancestry.com/>, accessed 19 Feb 2007.

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6 NAVY FLYERS CRASH VICTIMS
Die In Two Accidents; Iowan Killed In One Crash

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- Two navy plane crashes, one in a rain and windstorm, took the lives of six aviators, including one Iowan, from the air station here Wednesday.

Four flyers were killed at Bay Springs, Miss., when a 14-passenger, navel transport plane crashed while returning here from a routine flight to the Kansas City, Mo, naval reserve aviation base. More than 200 persons saw the big plane, buffeted by high winds, emerge from a heavy cloud and plunge to earth.

Among the victims the navy listed Aviation Machinist Mate Starlin R. Oldaker, 25, son of Burl Oldaker of Eldon, Iowa.

The other plane crashed on Santa Rosa peninsula near here.

Source: "6 Navy Flyers Crash Victims," Iowa City Press Citizen 25 Sept 1941, page 9; available from Ancestry.com, full edition, subscription database, <http://www.ancestry.com/>, accessed 19 Feb 2007.

Two new blogs to check out

I've added two new genealogy blog links to my sidebar. Both are well put together sites that look like they will have quite a bit of information on their topics. As the author, Bill Ives, describes them:

One is the Ives Family History Blog, covering my father’s family going back to William Ives, co-founder of New Haven, as well as those who married into the family (e.g., Bassett, Dickerman, Yale, Atwater, Peck, Cooper, Day, Humiston, Bishop, Dunbar, Rich and others).

The other is Sharp Family in NC covering the history of the Sharp family of Harrellsville, North Carolina. My grandmother is a Sharp from Harrellsville. It also covers some of the families who married into the Sharp family (e.g., Winbourne, Hare, Parker, Powell).

For both blogs, I am also doing brief histories of where they lived and travel tips for the locations.